HB 17-1070

House Bill 17-1070, which has been signed into law, directs a state agency to conduct research on how drones can be used by public safety agencies like fire departments and emergency management teams. The study will look at the best ways to use drone technology for firefighting, search and rescue, accident investigation, and managing emergencies while also considering privacy issues and costs. After completing the study, the agency must start a pilot program using drones in real-world situations and then report back with their findings to relevant committees. This bill affects public safety agencies across Colorado that could benefit from drone technology but need guidance on how to implement it effectively and responsibly.

Official Summary

The bill requires the center of excellence (center) within the division of fire prevention and control within the department of public safety (department), upon receiving sufficient money in the form of gifts, grants, and donations, to conduct a study concerning the integration of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) within state and local government operations that relate to certain public-safety functions (study). At a minimum, the study must: Identify the most feasible and readily available ways to integrate UAS technology within local and state government functions relating to firefighting, search and rescue, accident reconstruction, and emergency management; and Include consideration of privacy concerns, costs, and timeliness of deployment. The bill also creates, upon receipt of sufficient money in the form of gifts, grants, and donations, a UAS pilot program (pilot program) to integrate UAS within state and local government operations that relate to certain public-safety functions. The bill requires the center to operate the pilot program. Not later than one month after completing the study, the center shall submit a report to the wildfire matters review committee and to the judiciary committees of the house of representatives and senate, or to any successor committees. The report must address each item of the center's study, as well as the results of the pilot program. The bill adds the study and the pilot program as permissible uses of money from the existing Colorado firefighting air corps fund. (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)

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