Enacted Laws
SB 494 – Provides that all employees of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Florida Forest Service may operate drones for specified purposes. View the Bill
SB 44 – Expands the authorized uses of drones by law enforcement agencies to include monitoring crowds of 50 people or more, collecting evidence at a crime scene or traffic crash, and managing traffic, however, officers are still prohibited from issuing traffic citations based on drone footage. View the Bill
HB 659 – Adds exception to prohibited use of drones for managing and eradicating invasive exotic plants or animals on public lands. View the Bill
Freedom from Unwarranted Surveillance Act - Prohibits law enforcement agency from using drone to gather evidence or other information; provides exceptions; authorizes aggrieved party to initiate civil action in order to prevent or remedy violation; prohibits use of evidence obtained or collected in violation of act in criminal prosecution. View the "Freedom from Unwarranted Surveillance Act"
HB 1027 – Provides authority to regulate ownership/operation of unmanned aircraft systems is vested in state; prohibits political subdivision from enacting/enforcing certain ordinances/resolutions re: unmanned aircraft systems; requires application to FAA to restrict/limit operation of unmanned aircraft in close proximity to certain infrastructure/facilities; prohibits certain operation of unmanned aircraft in relation to certain critical infrastructure facilities; provides penalties; exempts communications services provider/contractor from certain prohibitions against drone use. View the Bill
SB 7057 – Includes certain detention center and correctional facilities in provisions restricting operation of unmanned aircraft. View the Bill
SB 2A – Allows an insurer to use electronic methods, including a drone, to investigate a loss. View the Bill
Active Legislation
NACDL has not identified any active legislation for this state.
Previously Introduced Legislation (2022)
SB 2512 – Requires governmental agencies to purchase or acquire drones only from approved manufacturers, with exceptions. View the Bill
HB 323 – Provides that employees of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Florida Forest Service may operate drones for specified purposes. View the Bill
HB 1A – Allows an insurer to use electronic methods, including a drone, to investigate a loss. View the Bill
Previously Introduced Legislation (2021)
HB 1049 - Provides that a law enforcement agency may use a drone to i) provide a perspective of a crowd of 50 people or more, ii) assist with traffic management, and iii) facilitate collection of evidence at a crime scene or traffic crash scene. Provides that a state agency or political subdivision may use a drone to assess damage due to a natural disaster or for wildlife management on publicly owned land or water. View the Bill
SB 878 - Prohibits law enforcement agencies from acquiring, purchasing, or otherwise accepting certain equipment, including weaponized unmanned aerial vehicles, from a surplus program operated by the federal government. View the Bill
HB 433 - Expands authorized uses of drones by government agencies and other entities for disaster damage assessment. View the Bill
SB 518 – Expands the authorized use of drones by a state agency or political subdivision to include the assessment of damage due to natural disasters. View the Bill
HB 187 – Prohibits local law enforcement agencies from acquiring certain surplus military equipment, including weaponized unmanned aerial vehicles. View the Bill
Previously Introduced Legislation (2020)
HB 1433 – Expands authorized uses of drones by law enforcement agencies. View the Bill
Previously Introduced Legislation (2019)
SB 822 – Adds additional exceptions to the prohibited use of a drone. View the Bill
SB 520 – Seeks to expand the authorized uses of drones by law enforcement agencies and other specified entities for specified purposes, including: providing law enforcement agency with an aerial perspective of a crowd of 50 people or more; assisting law enforcement with traffic management; facilitating law enforcement agency’s collection of evidence at a crime scene or traffic crash scene; and assessing damage due to a flood, wildfire or natural disaster. View the Bill
HB 75 – Permits the use of drones by law enforcement agencies and other specified entities for specified purposes. View the Bill
HB 1131 – Authorizes the use of drones by law enforcement agencies to prepare for or monitor safety and security at large-scale events; prohibits law enforcement agencies from using a drone in an authorized manner from equipping it with specified attachments or using it to fire projectiles. View the Bill
SB 132 – Authorizes the use of a drone by a law enforcement agency to prepare for or monitor safety and security at a large-scale event; prohibiting a law enforcement agency using a drone in an authorized manner from equipping it with specified attachments or using it to fire projectiles, etc. View the Bill
SB 766 – Surveillance by a Drone; Prohibiting a person, a state agency, or a political subdivision from using a drone to capture an image of privately owned real property or of the owner, tenant, or occupant of such property with the intent to conduct surveillance without his or her written consent if a reasonable expectation of privacy exists; specifying when a reasonable expectation ... View the Bill
SB 7046 – Adds a state correction institution and a secure detention center or facility to the definition of critical infrastructure facility, where operation of a drone is prohibited. View the Bill
Previously Introduced Legislation (2018)
HB 471 – Prohibits operating drone over or using drone to introduce contraband into certain facilities; authorizes use of drone in certain circumstances to facilitate collection of evidence at scene of crime or traffic crash. View the Bill
SB 624 – Prohibiting a person from knowingly or willingly operating a drone over, allowing a drone to make contact with, allowing a drone to come within a certain distance of, or using a drone to introduce contraband into or within the secure perimeter of a fixed-site facility; authorizing the use of a drone if a law enforcement agency possesses reasonable suspicion that, under particular circumstances, swift action is needed to facilitate the collection of evidence at a crime scene or traffic crash scene, etc. View the Bill
Previously Introduced Legislation (2017)
HB 939 – Prohibits use or operation of drone by certain offenders for purpose of viewing or recording image of minor in specified locations. View the Bill
SB 832 – The Unmanned Aircraft Systems Act; providing the authority to regulate the ownership and operation of unmanned aircraft systems is vested in the state; prohibiting a person from knowingly and willfully operating a drone over or allowing a drone to make contact with or come within a certain distance of certain critical infrastructure facilities. View the Bill
SB 1122 – Prohibits the use or operation of a drone by certain offenders for the purpose of viewing or recording an image of a minor in specified locations. View the Bill
Previously Introduced Legislation (2016)
HB 1301 – Provides criminal penalties for convicted sexual predators who use or operate drone to view or record image of minor; conforms provisions. View the Bill
HB 459 – Provides for liability for damage to person or property in this state for which operation of drone was substantial contributing factor. View the Bill
SB 510 – Providing criminal penalties for convicted sexual predators who use or operate a drone to view or record an image of a minor under certain circumstances, etc. View the Bill
SB 642 – Providing for liability for damage to person or property in this state for which operation of a drone was a substantial contributing factor, etc. View the Bill
Previously Introduced Legislation (2015)
SB 1178 – Drone Surveillance; Citing this act as the ""Florida Drone Privacy Act""; requiring the Department of Law Enforcement to develop guidelines for the use of drones by state or local law enforcement agencies; specifying situations in which it is lawful to capture an image with a drone; providing criminal penalties, etc. View the Bill
HB 979 – Drone Surveillance; Designates act as ""Florida Drone Privacy Act""; requires FDLE to develop guidelines for use of drones by state or local law enforcement agencies; requires such law enforcement agencies to annually report to FDLE, & requires FDLE to annually report to Governor & Legislature, regarding drone usage; specifies situations in which it is lawful to capture image ... View the Bill
HB 649 – Surveillance by a Drone; Prohibits person, state agency, or political subdivision from using drone to capture an image of privately owned or occupied real property or of owner, tenant, or occupant of such property with intent to conduct surveillance without his or her written consent if reasonable expectation of privacy exists; specifies when reasonable expectation of privacy ... View the Bill