House Panel Takes Aim At Drone Use
TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/NSF) - A House panel has approved a bill aimed at preventing the use of aerial drones to capture images that could infringe on the privacy of property owners or occupants.
The House Civil Justice Committee voted 11-1 to support the bill (HB 649), filed by Rep. Larry Metz, R-Yalaha. Subcommittee Chairwoman Kathleen Passidomo, R-Naples, said drones could be used, for example, to peer into homes or to take pictures of people on the balconies of high-rise condominium buildings.
"Technology is wonderful,'' Passidomo said. "But in the wrong hands, it can be devastating."
Rep. George Moraitis, R-Fort Lauderdale, cast the only dissenting vote, saying he is concerned the bill could put a "chilling effect" on law-enforcement agencies using drones.
A similar Senate bill (SB 766), filed by Sen. Dorothy Hukill, R-Port Orange, was slated to be heard later Tuesday in the Senate Judiciary Committee.
The News Service of Florida contributed to this report.