As concerns about surveillance and privacy continue to grow, the state Senate voted Tuesday to restrict the usage of drones by the government and individuals.
The bill would prevent law enforcement from using drones equipped with video or audio recording equipment to gather information without a warrant. The bill would also prevent individuals from using such drones to spy on other residents.
The sale, ownership or usage of weaponized drones would be made a felony under the bill, punishable by a fine of up to $10,000, imprisonment of up to six years or both.
Introduced by a bipartisan group of legislators led by Sen. Jerry Petrowski, R-Marathon, and Rep. Tyler August, R-Lake Geneva, the bill will now head to the Assembly for a vote.
[Photo from Flickr user Don McCullough]
