Maine Lawmakers Crafting Drone Regulations

Committee defeated an attempt to require search warrants for police to use drones

In a narrow decision, lawmakers accepted an amendment to a bill offered by Sen. John Patrick, D-Rumford, that could allow police to use a drone without a search warrant.  

Lawmakers have sided narrowly with the state's attorney general on placing a moratorium on the use of aerial surveillance drones while the state's Criminal Justice Academy studies the issue.

In a 7-6 vote on May 1, the Legislature's Judiciary Committee sided with Maine Attorney General Janet Mills on the issue of how police can employ unmanned aerial vehicles in criminal investigations.