ALBANY, N.Y. (Jan. 11, 2021) – A bill filed in the New York Assembly would limit the warrantless use of surveillance drones. The legislation would not only establish important privacy protections at the state level; it would also help thwart the federal surveillance state. Assm. Nick Perry (D-Brooklyn), along with two Democrat cosponsors, filed Assembly Bill 417 (A417). The legislation would require a warrant for drone surveillance in most situations. No law enforcement agency or a state, county or municipal agency shall use a drone or other unmanned aircraft to gather, store or collect evidence of any type, including audio or video recordings, or both, or other information pertaining to criminal conduct or conduct in violation of a statute or regulation except to the extent specifically authorized in a valid search warrant; provided, however, that the use of a drone by a law enforcement agency or a state, county or municipal agency is not prohibited when exigent circumstances exist.