This notice came through from the Tenth Amendment Center this morning, and for those of you who are not on their mailing list, I thought I would share this very important information.

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Searches and Seizures – Florida Legislature

Action needed now to stop the onslaught of spying drones that 'are' coming...

House Bill: HB 119 Searches and Seizures

What the bill will do: Prohibits law enforcement agency from using drone to gather evidence or other information; provides exception; authorizes aggrieved party to initiate civil action in order to prevent or remedy violation; prohibits use of evidence obtained or collected in violation of act in criminal prosecution. Quote from the House Bill: (3) PROHIBITED USE OF DRONES.-A law enforcement agency may not use a drone to gather evidence or other information. (4) EXCEPTIONS.-This act does not prohibit the use of a drone to counter a high risk of a terrorist attack by a specific individual or organization if the United States Secretary of Homeland Security determines that credible intelligence indicates that there is such a risk.
Where bill stands now: Bill was on the agenda of the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee for January 31st.  No vote published online.
What you can do now: Contact the members on the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Committees/committeesdetail.aspx?SessionId=73&CommitteeId=2720

Senate bill: CS/SB 92: Searches and Seizures

What the bill will do: The bill will be prohibiting a law enforcement agency from using a drone to gather evidence or other information; authorizing an aggrieved party to initiate a civil action in order to prevent or remedy a violation of the act; prohibiting a law enforcement agency from using in any court of law in this state evidence obtained or collected in violation of the act, etc.
Quote from the Senate Bill: (3) PROBITED USE OF DRONES - “A law enforcement agency may not use a drone to gather evidence or other information.” (4) EXCEPTIONS – (b) “If the law enforcement agency first obtains a search warrant signed by a judge authorizing the use of a drone.” (4) (c) “If the law enforcement agency possesses reasonable suspicion that, under particular circumstances, swift action is needed to prevent imminent danger to life or serious damage to property, or to forestall the imminent escape of a suspect or the destruction of evidence.”
Where bill stands now: Bill had 7 yeas and 0 nays on 1/15/2013 in Criminal Justice Committee.  On the agenda for Community Affairs Committee scheduled for 2/6/2013 at 10:30am.
What you can do now: Contact the members on the Community Affairs Committee http://www.flsenate.gov/Committees/Show/CA/