SB0796, sponsored by Sen. Mae Beavers to provide strict regulation for the use of drones in Tennessee will go to the full senate for a vote on Thursday, April 11. Its companion bill HB0591 sponsored by Rep. James Van Huss has made it to the House Calendar and Rules Committee and will be heard on Wednesday, April 10 and is expected to be scheduled for a vote in the House shortly.
The “Freedom from Unwarranted Surveillance Act” will address the specter of unconstitutional drone surveillance. It will require any use of drone technology in the state of Tennessee to do one of the following:
- Provide credible risk of terrorist attack from the Secretary of Homeland Security,
- Provide a search warrant signed by a judge authorizing the use of a drone, or
- Provide evidence of reasonable suspicion that there is an immediate threat such that “swift action is needed to prevent imminent danger to life.”
There is also provision for aggrieved parties to file suit against done operators for civil damages and the bill also disallows the use in court of any evidence collected in violation of the bill.
Action Items:
- Contact your senator now. If you need contact information or do not know who your senator is, use the “Find My Legislator” tool here. http://www.capitol.tn.gov/legislators/
- Contact members of the House Calendar and Rules Committee and encourage them to move the bill on to the full House.
- Start contacting your representative in the house as well. If you need contact information or do not know who your representative is, use the “Find My Legislator” tool here. http://www.capitol.tn.gov/legislators/
House Calendar and Rules Committee:
Rep. Bill Dunn, Chair
615-741-1721 rep.bill.dunn@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Dennis Roach, Vice-Chair
615-741-2534 rep.dennis.roach@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Harry Brooks
615-741-6879 rep.harry.brooks@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Glen Casada
615-741-4389 rep.glen.casada@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Vince Dean
615-741-1934 rep.vince.dean@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Jimmy Eldridge
615-741-7475 rep.jimmy.eldridge@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Craig Fitzhugh
615-741-2134 rep.craig.fitzhugh@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Curtis Halford
615-741-7478 rep.curtis.halford@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Ryan Haynes
615-741-2264 rep.ryan.haynes@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Matthew Hill
615-741-2251 rep.matthew.hill@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Timothy Hill
615-741-2050 rep.timothy.hill@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Curtis Johnson
615-741-4341 rep.curtis.johnson@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Jon Lundberg
615-741-7623 rep.jon.lundberg@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Pat Marsh
615-741-6824 rep.pat.marsh@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Judd Matheny
615-741-7448 rep.judd.matheny@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Gerald McCormick
615-741-2548 rep.gerald.mccormick@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Steve McManus
615-741-1920 rep.steve.mcmanus@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Bo Mitchell
615-741-4317 rep.bo.mitchell@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Antonio Parkinson
615-741-4575 rep.antonio.parkinson@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Bob Ramsey
615-741-3560 rep.bob.ramsey@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Charles Sargent
615-741-6808 rep.charles.sargent@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Cameron Sexton
615-741-2343 rep.cameron.sexton@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Mike Turner
615-741-3229 rep.mike.turner@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Eric Watson
615-741-7799 rep.eric.watson@capitol.tn.gov
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