Senate Advances Drone Regulation Bills

A Senate committee approved bills this week that regulate drone usage in Louisiana.

A bill by Sen. Body White, R-Central, advanced Monday and would make it a crime to fly the unmanned aircraft over "critical infrastructure," like power plants, water treatment systems and telecommunications networks.

Another bill that bans the use of drones to photograph people on private property without permission advanced Tuesday, but a couple of lawmakers said they have concerns.

The measure contains several exceptions, including for homeland security, the military and law enforcement. But after objections from the Louisiana Press Association, Sen. Robert Adley, R-Benton, said the bill could also hurt the media's ability to cover a news event.

"They (media) can't be there for bank robbery or anything else," Adley said.

The proposal is by Sen. Dan Claitor, R-Baton Rouge, who said he would work with the media to draft amendments to the bill.

Claitor also added that the First Amendment doesn't trump the Fourth Amendment's right to protection from privacy and unreasonable search and seizure.

Despite the concerns, the bill passed without objection and heads to the Senate floor.