Pa. Lawmakers Move To Shield Outdoorsmen From Drone Surveillance
By Tony Romeo
HARRISBURG, Pa. (CBS) -- A state senate committee this week advanced a pair of bills that would prohibit the use of remote-controlled aircraft to disturb or interfere with people who are lawfully hunting and fishing in Pennsylvania.
The sponsor of the bills says the legislation is prompted by sportsmen in Massachusetts who expressed concerns about drones being used to videotape legal hunting and fishing.
So, Erik Arneson, spokesman for Senate majority Republicans, admits that the Pennsylvania legislation may look like a solution in search of a problem.
"But drones, in general, have generated a lot of legislative interest across the nation," he says. "Many states have banned the use of drones generally, while we get a better handle on what they should and should not be allowed to do."
Arneson says there is also a bill in the Pennsylvania Senate that would generally restrict the use of drones, but he says that measure has yet to be voted out of committee.
He adds it's not clear whether the bills related to hunting and fishing will get a full Senate vote before summer recess.