Nullify the Drones in Tennessee!

By: |Published on: Mar 18, 2013|Categories: Uncategorized|

droneSen. Mae Beavers and Rep. James Van Huss have introduced SB0796/HB0591 to protect Tennesseans from the specter of unconstitutional drone surveillance. The House version, HB0591, will head to the House Civil Justice Subcommittee on Wednesday, March 20 immediately following the meeting of the full House Civil Justice Committee at 12:30 PM Central.

The bill will prevent the use of drones in Tennessee except for very specific purposes to ensure proper respect is paid to the rights and civil liberties of Tennesseans. 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.”

Read the full text here. http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/108/Bill/SB0796.pdf 

There has been a great deal of concern in this country over the use of drones to spy on American citizens on U.S. soil with no warrant or other probable cause. The “Freedom from Unwarranted Surveillance Act” provides strong protections to ensure that the use of such drones falls within the constitutional scope and remains under judicial oversight.

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.

TAKE ACTION:

Contact the members of the House Civil Justice Subcommittee NOW and tell them to support this bill. Remember to be polite, but firm. Also, if you can attend the committee meeting, please be there to show your support.

House Civil Justice Subcommittee:
Rep. Jim Coley, Chair
615-741-8201 rep.jim.coley@capitol.tn.gov

Rep. Mike Carter
615-741-8201 rep.jim.coley@capitol.tn.gov

Rep. Vance Dennis
615-741-8201 rep.jim.coley@capitol.tn.gov

Rep. Andrew Farmer
615-741-8201 rep.jim.coley@capitol.tn.gov

Rep. Sherry Jones
615-741-2035 rep.sherry.jones@capitol.tn.gov

Rep. Jon Lundberg
615-741-7623 rep.jon.lundberg@capitol.tn.gov

Rep. Mike Stewart
615-741-2184 rep.mike.stewart@capitol.tn.gov

Rep. Rick Womick
615-741-2804 rep.rick.womick@capitol.tn.gov

LEGISLATION AND TRACKING

If you’re outside of Tennessee, please contact your own legislators regarding anti-drone legislation. If none has been introduced in your state, you can email them The Privacy Protection Act model legislation.

Track the status of drone nullification in states around the country HERE

Lesley Swann
Latest posts by Lesley Swann (see all)
donate