Law Passes Washington Legislature Regarding Drones

Under provisions of a bill passed by the state House today, Washington would become one of the first states in the nation to adopt rules governing the use of unmanned aircraft systems, or "drones."

Rep. David Taylor, R-Moxee and prime sponsor of House Bill 2789, said he was pleased with the support his measure has received from legislators representing all four corners of the state.

"What a difference a year makes! I've said it before: personal liberty, freedom and privacy are not partisan issues," Taylor tells KNDO News, who has worked extensively on the issue over the past two years. "It doesn't matter if you're a hardcore conservative or progressive liberal – we all want a government that is accountable to the people and we want to make sure those who are in power are not abusing it. That's what this bill is all about."

Taylor's proposal places sideboards on the use of drones in Washington by state agencies and outlines a system of reporting and procurement that will help hold them accountable for the use, or misuse, of surveillance