Prohibits Use Of UAVs For Capturing Still Or Video Images Within 25 Miles Of The Border With Mexico

A new law passed by the Texas Legislature makes it illegal for a drone operator to capture video or still images using a drone over private property within 25 miles of the state's border with Mexico.

The bill is being praised by privacy advocates, who say unmanned aircraft put people's privacy at risk.

The new law takes effect September 1. Television station KRGV reports that, according to Cpt. Robert Lopez with Weslaco (TX) Police Department, there may be issues enforcing the new law. He said that officers can try to determine where a drone is going to land, and try to make contact with the operator at that point. He said that if a drone is observed flying over private property, the best thing for the property owner to do is to take a picture of the drone and file a police report.

The bill does carve out several exemptions where it is legal to use a drone to capture images in the state, including scholarly research, utility monitoring, law enforcement, real estate, border security, and insurance investigations.

(Image from file)

FMI: Bill Text