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Fla. senate panel clears anti-drones bill

Police Drones
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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - Another Senate panel has unanimously cleared a measure that would limit Florida's law enforcement agencies from using drones.

The Senate Appropriations committee on Thursday voted for the bill (SB 92) that addresses different sizes of aircraft that are piloted remotely.

Drones have become known from their use by the U.S. against terrorists overseas.

Sen. Joe Negron's bill would restrict use of drones to preventing "imminent danger to life" or serious damage to property.

The bill would also make police get a search warrant before using a drone to collect evidence. An exception would be a credible threat of terrorist attack.

Only Miami-Dade Police and the Orange County Sheriff's Office have drones among Florida law enforcement. A Miami-Dade police lieutenant previously said his agency hasn't yet used a drone.