Sign Up
SB 238 Oregon Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Relating to law enforcement officers.

Summary
] [ Requires the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training to study issues relating to law enforcement officers. Directs the department to submit findings to the interim committees of the Legislative Assembly related to the judiciary not later than September 15, 2026. ] Modifies provisions relating to the use of unmanned aircraft systems by law enforcement officers and agencies.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Jun 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Jan 13, 2025 Last action Jun 28, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → A-Engrossed · 5 edits · Apr 16, 2025
MODERATE
This bill shifts Oregon law enforcement drone use from a study requirement to specific operational rules. It allows law enforcement to use drones for police activities like responding to emergencies, search and rescue, and executing warrants without needing a warrant for each flight. It also adds restrictions on commercial property surveillance and traffic enforcement, while updating penalties for unauthorized civilian drone use.
Scope change
The bill expands the scope from a general study on law enforcement issues to specific regulations governing unmanned aircraft system operations by law enforcement agencies and individuals.
REQUIREMENT

Replaced a requirement for the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training to conduct a study with specific operational rules for law enforcement drone use.

Added restrictions prohibiting surveillance over commercial property without owner consent and notice, and limiting traffic enforcement use to pursuing fleeing suspects.

Removed the requirement for law enforcement to obtain warrants for drone operations in most circumstances, replacing it with a broader authorization for police activities.

ELIGIBILITY

Added new conditions under which law enforcement may operate drones, including responding to emergencies, search and rescue, training, and executing warrants.

ENFORCEMENT

Updated penalties for unauthorized civilian drone use over private property, creating tiered violations based on prior convictions.

Floor votes · Senate Apr 16, 2025

How they voted

23–3
Passed · 3 other
Total votes 29
Apr 16, 2025
D Democratic17
15 Yea 2
88% Yea
R Republican12
8 Yea 3 Nay 1
66% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
17
Key actions
3
Committee
6
Jun 28, 2025
Lower · Passed
In committee upon adjournment.
lower
May 29, 2025
Committee
Referred to Rules by order of Speaker.
lower
May 29, 2025
Committee
Without recommendation as to passage and be referred to Rules.
lower
Apr 18, 2025
Committee
Referred to Judiciary.
lower
Apr 16, 2025
Introduced
Vote explanation(s) filed by Pham.
upper
Apr 16, 2025
Introduced
First reading. Referred to Speaker's desk.
lower
Apr 16, 2025
Upper · Passed
Third reading. Carried by Prozanski. Passed.
upper
Apr 14, 2025
Upper · Passed
Recommendation: Do pass with amendments. (Printed A-Eng.)
upper
Jan 17, 2025
Committee
Referred to Judiciary.
upper
Jan 13, 2025
Introduced
Introduction and first reading. Referred to President's desk.
upper
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.