HB1219
Unmanned aircraft systems; use by law-enforcement officers, search warrants.
Status:
Passed
Latest Action:
March 25, 2026
Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
Chief Patron:
Briana Sewell (D)
Session:
2026 Regular Session
Summary
As Passed House of Origin. Use of unmanned aircraft systems by law-enforcement officers; search warrants.
Permits the use of unmanned aircraft systems without a search warrant (i) to provide real-time aerial observation of law-enforcement incidents to increase on-scene safety and security, deliver essential supplies, and provide enhanced communication for emergency personnel in response to emergency calls; (ii) to capture digital documentation of a crime scene ... (More) or response to a public safety call for service only when such crime scene or call for service is located on public property; and (iii) to aerially survey public property incident to a call for service for purposes of locating and identifying any persons of interest while a law-enforcement officer is physical en route to such location. The bill also authorizes the use of unmanned aircraft systems for fire or rescue operations. Such provisions are subject to a reenactment clause. (Less)-
Bill History
- 01/14/2026 - House: Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26103614D
- 01/14/2026 - House: Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
- 01/23/2026 - House: Assigned HCJ sub: Criminal
- 01/26/2026 - House: Placed on Courts of Justice Agenda
- 02/05/2026 - House: Placed on Courts of Justice Agenda
- 02/06/2026 - House: House subcommittee offered
- 02/06/2026 - House: Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (10-Y 0-N)
- 02/10/2026 - House: Placed on Courts of Justice Agenda
- 02/11/2026 - House: Reported from Courts of Justice with substitute (22-Y 0-N)
- 02/11/2026 - House: Committee substitute printed 26106525D-H1
- 02/13/2026 - House: Read first time
- 02/16/2026 - House: Read second time
- 02/16/2026 - House: committee substitute agreed to
- 02/17/2026 - House: Read third time and passed House Block Vote (97-Y 0-N 0-A)
- 02/17/2026 - House: Engrossed by House - committee substitute
- 02/17/2026 - House: Fiscal Impact statement From DPB (2/17/2026 3:20 pm)
- 02/18/2026 - Senate: Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)
- 02/18/2026 - Senate: Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
- 02/25/2026 - Senate: Reported from Courts of Justice and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (15-Y 0-N)
- 02/25/2026 - Senate: Rereferred to Finance and Appropriations
- 03/04/2026 - Senate: Reported from Finance and Appropriations (15-Y 0-N)
- 03/05/2026 - Senate: Rules suspended
- 03/05/2026 - Senate: Constitutional reading dispensed (on 2nd reading) (39-Y 0-N 0-A)
- 03/05/2026 - Senate: Passed by for the day (Voice Vote)
- 03/06/2026 - Senate: Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
- 03/09/2026 - Senate: Read third time
- 03/09/2026 - Senate: Passed Senate Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
- 03/14/2026 - House: Enrolled
- 03/14/2026 - House: Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB1219ER)
- 03/14/2026 - House: Signed by Speaker
- 03/14/2026 - Senate: Signed by President
- 03/18/2026 - House: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB1219)
- 03/25/2026 - House: Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 25, 2026
- 03/25/2026 - Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
