Unmanned aerial vehicles permitted usage by law enforcement expansion provision

This bill expands Minnesota law enforcement's permitted uses of drones (unmanned aerial vehicles). It adds 10 specific scenarios where police may deploy drones, including during emergencies involving life-threatening risks, high-risk public events, counter-terrorism operations based on credible intelligence, disaster response, crash reconstructions, and searches for missing persons. It also allows drone use for criminal investigations with reasonable suspicion, with occupant consent for private areas, and for government entity requests with written justification. The changes amend Minnesota Statutes section 626.19 to clarify these authorized uses without creating new surveillance powers. The bill directly affects all Minnesota law enforcement agencies operating under this statute.