Sponsor
Andrew S. Biggs
Representative · R-AZ
Representative · R-AZ
The bill increases privacy and judicial/DHS oversight for targeted UAV surveillance, but preserves a terrorism-related executive bypass that could expand surveillance powers and introduces operational delays and consent-related privacy risks.
U.S. individuals — including people with disabilities and immigrants — gain stronger privacy protections against targeted UAV surveillance because the bill generally requires a judge-signed search warrant before surveilling a person or private property.
Federal oversight of executive UAV authorizations is increased: DHS must provide a written, oath-certified justification before the President can authorize UAV surveillance to counter a high‑risk terrorist threat, creating an additional check on unilateral executive action.
U.S. residents may still be subject to warrantless UAV surveillance in high‑risk terrorism cases because the bill creates an exception allowing the President (via DHS) to bypass judicial warrants, which could expand executive surveillance powers.
Federal law enforcement and federal employees will face added administrative burden and potential delays because obtaining warrants or DHS certifications is required, which can slow time‑sensitive investigations.
People asked to consent to public dissemination of UAV recordings — particularly vulnerable groups like people with disabilities and immigrants — may feel pressured to agree, risking privacy and reputational harms if recordings are published.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Bars federal law enforcement from using drones to intentionally surveil a specifically targeted U.S. citizen or that citizen's private property, with limited consent, warrant, and narrow terrorism exceptions.
Official title: To prevent agencies from using unmanned aerial vehicles to conduct surveillance of United States citizens, and for other purposes.
Introduced January 3, 2025 by Andrew S. Biggs · Last progress January 3, 2025
Prohibits federal law enforcement agencies from using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs/drones) to intentionally surveil, record, or gather evidence about a specifically targeted U.S. citizen or that citizen’s specifically targeted private property, subject to three narrow exceptions: written consent for public dissemination, a presidential/DHS written determination tied to a high-risk terrorism threat, or a judge-signed search warrant. The bill is short and narrowly focused on limiting drone surveillance of identified individuals and private property by federal agencies.