SB 136-UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS  1:34:16 PM CHAIR COGHILL announced the consideration of SB 136. "An Act relating to unmanned aircraft systems; and relating to images captured by an unmanned aircraft system." He noted the proposed committee substitute (CS). 1:34:31 PM SENATOR OLSON moved to adopt CS for SB 136, labeled 28-LS1316\U, as the working document. There was no objection and Version U was adopted. CHAIR COGHILL asked for an explanation of the changes between versions A and U. SENATOR OLSON summarized that SB 136 is the result of recommendations by the Legislative Task Force on Unmanned Aircraft Systems. The bill allows the University of Alaska to establish a training program for the operation of unmanned aircraft systems and speaks to law enforcement uses and privacy issues. He noted that the bill works with an accompanying resolution to extend the task force for three years. The CS clarifies the parameters for the use of unmanned aircraft systems by law enforcement agencies. 1:37:11 PM SENATOR DYSON asked if the CS added the language that requires law enforcement to obtain a warrant before doing an aerial survey. SENATOR OLSON answered yes; the intention was to protect the privacy of individuals. SENATOR DYSON commented on monitoring utility bills to locate marijuana growing operations and asked if the Department of Law was available. SENATOR OLSON suggested the committee hear from Ms. Blaisdell who was working on companion legislation. 1:39:03 PM GINGER BLAISDELL, Staff, Representative Shelley Hughes, reported that she also helped staff Legislative Task Force on Unmanned Aircraft Systems that Representative Hughes and Senator Olson co-chaired. SB 136 addresses the items that the task force identified that could be specifically addressed in a bill. She clarified that a separate piece of legislation that is not in this committee extends the task force and expands the duties. MS. BLAISDELL explained that the CS makes two significant changes. On page 2, line 26, Sec. 18.65.902 talks about the use of an unmanned aircraft by a law enforcement agency. The original language said an unmanned aircraft could only be used in a criminal investigation. That left out the positive uses for things like search and rescue and amber alerts. The amended language eliminates the reference to criminal investigation so it can sweep in those search and rescue type of events by a law enforcement agency. In that section, paragraph (1) talks about gathering evidence in a criminal investigation under the terms of a search warrant. Paragraph (2) in that section addresses the use in situations that don't involve a criminal investigation. It must be for a public purpose and must not constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy. The second change, found on page 3, Sec. 18.65.903, basically says that images cannot be retained. Other areas of existing law specifically describe to law enforcement when and for how long images must be retained. SENATOR DYSON indicated he didn't need to speak to the Department of Law before the bill was reported from committee. 1:44:09 PM SENATOR DYSON moved to report CS for SB 136, Version U, from committee with individual recommendations and attached fiscal note(s). CHAIR COGHILL announced that without objection, CSSB 136(JUD) passed out of the Senate Judiciary Standing Committee.