Members of three California State Assembly Committees held an informational hearing on August 8 to examine the legal and policy implications of expanded drone use in California. The hearing was titled, “Drones in our Future: Opportunity and Privacy Considerations,” and was held at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) faculty center.

Presiding over the hearing was Assemblymember Ed Chau (D-Monterey Park), Chair of the Assembly Select Committee on Privacy, Assemblymember Ian C. Calderon (D-Whittier), Chair of the Assembly Committee on Arts, Entertainment, Sports, Tourism and Internet Media, and Assemblymember Bob Wieckowski (D-Fremont), Chair of the Assembly Committee on Judiciary.

“The potential benefits of drones are undeniable and can generate tremendous benefits to our society; however, as drones become a widespread reality in our airspace, there are legitimate safety and privacy concerns that need to be weighed against our desire to promote innovation, and this hearing was one way for lawmakers, key academics, industry experts, law enforcement and other stakeholders to examine what role California will play in striking this delicate balance,” said Assemblymember Chau, Chair of the Assembly Select Committee on Privacy.

“I know that the use of drones is a coin with two sides. On the one side is the exciting new vantage for unobtrusive and inexpensive access to aerial shots that has revolutionized cinematography and newsgathering. However, the same ease of access into private areas also may pose threats to our constitutional rights and liberties if used improperly. I look forward to better understanding both the benefits and pitfalls of this new technology in order to have the necessary information to make informed decisions on this issue,” said Assemblymember Calderon, Chair of the Committee on Arts, Entertainment, Sports, Tourism and Internet Media.

“California and states across the nation are wrestling with how to make sure that our laws keep up with new advances in technology, like drones,” Wieckowski said. “There are many benefits and innovative applications associated with drones, and as their use increases we must balance these benefits with the public’s concerns about privacy and other factors. Today’s hearing is an important part of that process.”

Witnesses at hearing included representatives from the Aerospace States Association; Drone Dudes; the Paparazzi Reform Initiative; the California Broadcasters Association; the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department; the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office; and ACLU of Southern California. UCLA, which hosted the hearing, was also represented on the panel by members of the UCLA School of Law and the Electrical Engineering Department.