BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2512

By: Miller

State Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

It has been suggested that the state should allow local health authorities or state agencies the ability to use unmanned aircraft to conduct inspections of properties that they deem potentially hazardous rather than putting employees in harm's way by conducting in-person inspections. H.B. 2512 seeks to authorize such an act.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 2512 amends the Government Code to make lawful the capturing of an image using an unmanned aircraft by a state agency or local health authority if:

· the image is captured for the purpose of assessing unsafe environmental conditions when physical entry onto the property is unsafe due to conditions such as an abandoned swimming pool, illegal dumping of refuse, or a chemical leak or spill and in response to an inspection, or attempted inspection, on commercial property or to a disaster; and

· the agency or authority provides notice to the owner or manager of the property, as applicable, before the agency or authority captures the image, or the agency or authority determines that conditions on the property are an imminent threat to public health.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2019.