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Bills › 91st General Assembly

SF 2283Died when the session ended · March 5, 2026

Relating to the use of unmanned aerial vehicles by law enforcement officers

Sponsored by the Senate Transportation Committee, Sen. Charlie McClintock (R)

Topics:Crime & correctionsPublic safety & emergencies

Same legislation: SF 2105

Write your legislators about it

Also covers SF 2105.

Official bill pageLobbyist declarationsOne-pager to print

Where it is now

  1. Done: IntroducedJanuary 26, 2026
  2. Done: SubcommitteeJanuary 26, 2026
  3. Done: Senate committeeFebruary 11, 2026
  4. Done: Passes the SenateMarch 5, 202642–0
  5. Done: House committeeMarch 19, 2026
  6. Stopped: Passes the HouseDied when the General Assembly ended
  7. Next: To the Governor
  8. Next: Signed into law

Died when the session ended The 2026 session adjourned on May 3, 2026, the General Assembly’s last regular session. Bills that didn’t pass both chambers died. What’s a funnel?

What’s in it

AI summary Police officers can use drones to help catch drivers who are running away from them. The drone operator must have a special license and follow federal flight rules to avoid entering restricted airspace. Any evidence the drone captures during a chase can be used in court against the driver.1

Read the official explanation

This bill relates to the use of unmanned aerial vehicles by law enforcement officers. The bill provides that a certified law enforcement officer may operate an unmanned aerial vehicle in order to assist other law enforcement officers in apprehending a driver eluding or attempting to elude a pursuing law enforcement vehicle, and may cite the driver for any traffic violations committed during the pursuit. 107 or have a federal aviation administration certificate of authorization or other applicable federal certification or license. The unmanned aerial vehicle must be registered with the federal aviation administration, and must not enter controlled airspace or runway flight paths. Unmanned aerial vehicle operators are required to adhere to applicable notices to airmen. An unmanned aerial vehicle operator who enters a controlled airspace or runway flight path, or who fails to adhere to applicable notices to airmen, assumes liability for any damages that occur as a result of the noncompliance. The bill provides that information obtained by a certified law enforcement officer operating an unmanned aerial vehicle in compliance with the bill while assisting in the apprehension of a person who is eluding or attempting to elude a pursuing law enforcement vehicle is admissible in a criminal prosecution of the person eluding or attempting to elude law enforcement.

Why it matters. Certified law enforcement officers may use drones to help catch drivers who are eluding police vehicles and can issue citations for traffic violations seen during the pursuit. Any information gathered by the drone during these pursuits can be used as evidence in criminal prosecutions. Drone operators must hold specific federal certifications and are liable for any damages caused if they enter controlled airspace or fail to follow aviation notices.2

Full bill text3

Iowa Code it changes

Amends§321.492B§808.15

How the Code works4

Lobbying

3 for · 1 against · 7 undecided · Who →

Family tree

91st General Assembly

SF 2105RenumberedSF 2283Passed a chamberfrom SF 2105

Similar bills

  • HF 2295 Relating to the use of unmanned aerial vehicles by law enforcement officers
    91st General Assembly · Approved by committee
    Nearly identical

Matched by wording or an identical title.