Texas House Bill HB3429

Texas 2015 - 84th Regular

Caption

Relating to the establishment of an unmanned aircraft program in the office of the governor.

Impact

The bill's impact on state laws involves the addition of Chapter 490G to Subtitle F, Title 4 of the Government Code. This new chapter mandates that the governor's office will coordinate the acquisition and allocation of unmanned aircraft to state agencies, thereby formalizing the use of such technology in state operations. The legislation is significant in integrating modern aerial technologies into state governance, potentially improving efficiency across various state functions.

Summary

House Bill 3429 proposes the establishment of an unmanned aircraft program within the office of the governor of Texas. This program aims to acquire unmanned aircraft (drones) for state agencies to utilize for various state purposes. By employing these technologies, the bill envisions enhancing the operational capabilities of state agencies while ensuring public safety is maintained through established policies and procedures.

Contention

While the bill was introduced with an intent to modernize the state's approach to technology in governance, some concerns might arise regarding the implications of utilizing unmanned aircraft, specifically relating to privacy and public safety. It is crucial that the policies established ensure responsible use of drones to mitigate any risks associated with surveillance or misuse of data gathered from airborne operations. The specifics of the implementation and how these unmanned aircraft are managed could be points of future debate.