Texas Cities Using Drones

Texas cities and legislators have struggled with the benefits and potential harm of drones in terms of privacy and public safety.  Several police departments in the state currently test or use drones. The Federal Aviation Administration only allows use of drones in urban areas when life in is imminent danger.

FAA records show that, aside from the Border Patrol drones that fly mostly over unpopulated areas of the Rio Grande, the largest users of drones in the state are still universities.

A bill by state Rep. Lance Gooden of Terrell seeks to bar drones from recording images of private property without a search warrant. The plan has garnered the support of about 100 House members from both parties.

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Information from: Austin American-Statesman, http://www.statesman.com

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.