Idaho Unmaned Aircraft Bill Gets Revision

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — The Senate Transportation Committee approved a revised version of a bill that establishes guidelines governing when Idaho law enforcement agencies send out unmanned aircraft to gather criminal evidence. The bill approved Thursday differs slightly from the version that won initial approval last month. The measure was modified to give Idaho Power and other companies an exemption that allows them to conduct surveillance without getting any official permission.

Republican Sen. Chuck Winder of Boise says the intent of the legislation is to protect landowners' privacy. The legislation requires police to establish probable cause or get a judicial warrant before using drones in criminal investigations. The bill is a companion to a Senate resolution passed Wednesday encouraging the state to become a drone testing site.