Oregon Lawmakers Move to Regulate Drones, Leave Hobbyists Out of It

Huffman’s bill attempts to make everyone happy — a feat rarely, if ever, accomplished in politics.

BUZZING OVERHEAD: Lawmakers want to pass a bill limiting law enforcement surveillance with drones.

(SALEM) - Oregon lawmakers seem to be taking notice the difference between military and police drones that threaten privacy and the toys that hobbyists use to photograph parades and fireworks.

Legislation to curb privacy-invading drones is picking up steam in the Oregon Legislature. Hobbyists have been tracking drone bills for more than 120 days, worried they would be turned into criminals for having a little technological fun.

“First Person View” flying is the latest trend in model drone technology and users turned out in droves earlier this session to oppose a bill sponsored by state Sen. Floyd Prozanksi, D-Eugene, that made it a crime for anyone to use an unauthorized drone.

Prozanski, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, eventually stalled his bill and agreed to move another piece of legislation, from Rep. John Huffman, R-The Dalles, that exempts model aircraft. The proposal, House Bill 2710, passed the House with only seven no votes and moved unanimously out of the Senate committee last week. It now goes to the full Senate.

Hobbyist Patrick Sherman calls the legislation “mostly harmless” now.

“I’m going to put this one in the books as a “WIN” for our team,” Sherman said on his blog, Roswell Flight Test Crew. “It was truly an honor to work alongside so many intelligent, dedicated people in the FPV/RC/AP community, to effectively oppose the worst elements of the first legislative foray into this brave new world.”

HELD HARMLESS: Model drones exempted from drone regulation bill.

Huffman told Northwest Watchdog in April that he worked with groups that have a stake in drones, including hobbyists, aerospace giant Boeing, law enforcement, the American Civil Liberties Union and tea party members.

“I have no desire to take away from the economic benefit and the job creation from the drone industry,” Huffman said. “I do want to make sure that people can expect the privacy they deserve.”

The bill restricts how law enforcement can use information gathered from a drone. It also prohibits public bodies from using a drone that has weapon capabilities, such as firing a bullet or other projectile. The legislation also would prohibit local governments from creating their own drone laws to prevent piecemeal regulations across the state.

Huffman’s bill attempts to make everyone happy — a feat rarely, if ever, accomplished in politics. Whether this drone regulation bill lives up to that remains to be seen.

And even the hobbyists are cautiously optimistic.

“No doubt there will be more, so we’ll need to stay in touch, keep our eyes open and continue to build relationships with our political leaders and other potential players in this arena as we move ahead,” Sherman said.

Contact Shelby Sebens at Shelby@NorthwestWatchdog.org

http://watchdog.org/88147/oregon-lawmakers-move-to-regulate-drones-leave-hobbyists-out-of-it/