Police warrants at issue as Colorado drone bill gets 1st hearing

(Photo: Courtesy of NSSL/Sean Waugh)
<p>Tempest unmanned aircraft system, taken in June during an experiment with the University of Colorado, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL). </p>
Photo: Drone in flight (iStockphoto)
A drone in flight.

The bill would require law enforcement to have a warrant before using a drone in many cases, unless there is imminent threat to life or risk of a terrorist attack. There have been weeks of closed-door meetings on the original proposal.

Sponsors say the bill no longer addresses private and commercial use of drones. That was addressed earlier this month under new regulations issues by the Federal Aviation Administration.