GOP lawmaker's bill aims to curb use of spy drones on US soil

Published December 23, 2015

GOP Rep. Austin Scott introduced a bill Thursday to curb use of domestic surveillance drones.

The Preserving Freedom From Unwarranted Surveillance Act subjects the drones to the same standards as wiretaps and search warrants.

Scott, R-Ga., said he proposed the bill "to protect individual privacy against unwarranted governmental intrusion."

The bill prohibits the federal government from using a drone to gather evidence without a warrant, including the gathering of information related to the investigation of regulatory violations.

However, the legislation makes several exceptions for the use of drones without warrants, including the patrolling of U.S. borders or during the threat of a terrorist attack.