Staff Analysis of the Legislation
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HB 157 amends O.C.G.A. § 6-2-5 and Article 2 of Chapter 5 of Title 17 so as to provide regulations regarding the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) by law enforcement agencies. O.C.G.A. § 6-2-5 is revised to prohibit any aircraft from being operated in the airspace above private property, up to a distance of 100 feet above the surface, for the purposes of searching or engaging in surveillance without a search warrant or without the consent of the private property owner. Any evidence obtained without a proper search warrant shall be inadmissible in the courts of Georgia. HB 157 revises O.C.G.A. § 17-5-33 so as to provide that this Code section be broadly construed to effect the legislative intent of requiring a warrant prior to the use of UAVs. |