Why 3/5: It enhances the Department of Environmental Quality's ability to enforce critical environmental protections, impacting ongoing compliance and oversight.
This bill allows the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to use drones for civil enforcement of water, wetlands, erosion, and stormwater regulations without needing a search warrant in certain situations. This change aims to streamline DEQ's ability to monitor and enforce environmental protections, potentially leading to more effective oversight of permittees.
Cleared committee
Reported from Courts of Justice (14-Y 0-N 1-A)
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Rules suspended
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Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (37-Y 0-N 0-A)
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Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
Third reading
Read third time
Passed a chamber
Passed Senate (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
Enrolled
Enrolled
Passed a chamber
Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB950ER)
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Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB950)
This bill has passed its votes and is headed to the Governor's desk. You still have a say — the Governor's office reads messages before deciding whether to sign.
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Summarized from the official bill text (“Unmanned aircraft systems; use by public bodies, search warrant required, exceptions.”) · Read the actual bill →
Passed a chamber
Signed by Speaker
Passed a chamber
Signed by President
Enrolled
Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 10, 2026
Sent to the Governor
Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
Signed into law
Approved by Governor-Chapter 245 (effective 7/1/2026)
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Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0245)