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After earlier aborted attempts and delays, a bill finally flew out of committee Thursday that seeks to end the Wild West days of recreationally flying unmanned drones with few or no restrictions in Utah.
SB210 even would allow law officers to shoot down offending drones in some circumstances.
The Senate Transportation Committee voted 2-1 to endorse the bill, and sent it to the full Senate.
Sen. Wayne Harper, R-Taylorsville, said it more clearly outlaws using recreational drones for voyeurism, spying in private areas, operating within certain distances of emergency situations and interfering with manned aircraft.
It would also allow law officers to "neutralize" offending drones when it can be done safely and is necessary to protect people or property. Harper amended his bill to allow that only after officers make a reasonable effort to locate the drone operator to ask him to cease operations.
He also changed the bill on Thursday to make clear that it does not apply to commercial drone operators, who are governed more closely by the Federal Aviation Administration. Concerns about that had earlier delayed the bill.
Harper also amended the bill to allow law officers to use drones in areas where no normal expectation of privacy exists. The Highway Patrol testified that if it wants to use a drone to map a traffic accident, for example, it currently would need to obtain a search warrant first.
Several other bills affecting drones have also been introduced this year. HB420 has passed a committee, and also would allow neutralizing drones that interfere with emergency operations. HB126 would outlaw drones near wildfires, and has passed both houses — but the House still must consider some Senate amendments.