In Florida and across the nation, drones have reporters keyboards clicking away, revealing the sensitivity behind government use of the unmanned aircrafts.
The Obama administration has been under fire for weeks from Republicans for its views on drone strikes, and now the White House's concealment of drone policy has Obama's own party asking tough questions. Two senators participating in closed-door meetings with the president told Politico Thursday that Obamas response to their criticism over withholding legal memos on drone strike from intelligence committees was that hes no Dick Cheney.Obama bristled over the notion that his administration could be perceived as more secretive than that of former President George W. Bush. But, in fact, Obama's refusal to share the memos so irked Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., that he voted against confirmation of the president's handpicked CIA director.
Leahy has taken his concern over drones one step further, announcing Wednesday he will hold a hearing next week to discuss privacy issues with the use of domestic drones. The Future of Drones in America: Law Enforcement and Privacy Considerations" will be held March 20.
At the state level, Rep. Ritch Workman continues to tackle the same issues in Florida. His HB 119 -- Freedom from Unwarranted Surveillance Act -- cleared the House Judiciary committee Thursday.
The Melbourne Republican seeks to limit law-enforcement use of drones, requiring them to obtain a search warrant before using the unmanned aircrafts to gather evidence on unsuspecting citizens. The bill also provides legal recourse against state and local governments if proper steps are not first taken to launch the devices.
They can fly over a neighborhood they dont like and just wait for a crime to happen or spy on you in your backyard to see whats going on, Workman told his colleagues Thursday. For 75 bucks-an-hour they can fly a drone and spy on you. Were not that country; were not that state.
Workman compares the drone legislation to what was needed 30 or 40 years ago when phone-tapping technology was freely being used by officers. The government had to step in to end the invasion of privacy, he said.
During a previous stop, at the House State Affairs Committee, WorkmanacknowledgedFlorida police chiefs had been pushing to alter imminent danger in the language, an amendment that passed Thursday. The bill now allows the use of drones if a law enforcement agency believes swift action is needed to prevent imminent danger to life or serious damage to property, or if the technology is needed to stop the escape of a suspect or the destruction of evidence, or if its required in the search for a missing person.
The highly-energized bill sponsor approved of the changes, saying they would make sure this tool is not left in the barn.
A companion bill is making its way through the Senate, sponsored by Sen. Joe Negron, R-Stuart. Both bills have had bipartisan support.
Florida will become the first state in the nation to restrict drone use if the measures become law.
Anne Smith writes special to Sunshine State News.
