Arizona Senate Bill SB1708

Arizona 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/10/25

Caption

Unmanned aircraft; critical infrastructure; prohibition

Impact

This legislation is significant as it directly addresses concerns about national security and data protection regarding critical infrastructures, such as gas and oil production systems, water supply systems, and electrical power deliveries. By restricting the operation of unmanned aircraft from certain foreign entities, the bill seeks to safeguard sensitive data that could be collected through aerial surveillance. The Arizona Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Public Safety will be tasked to designate which infrastructures are considered restricted on a site-specific basis.

Summary

SB1708 aims to restrict the use of unmanned aircraft manufactured or assembled by covered foreign entities within Arizona for the purpose of collecting data related to critical infrastructure. This prohibition will take effect on December 31, 2028. The bill outlines that state agencies, independent contractors of state agencies, and individuals are not allowed to operate such unmanned aircraft unless specified security measures are implemented. These measures include the installation of United States security software and secure communications technologies that comply with national standards.

Contention

Notable points of contention may arise around issues of local enforcement and the guidelines for determining what constitutes covered foreign entities. Critics of the bill may argue that these regulations could pose operational challenges for legitimate commercial uses of unmanned aircraft in non-sensitive contexts. Furthermore, the requirement for independent third-party verification of security measures could burden state agencies and contractors, leading to discussions about the feasibility and costs associated with compliance.