The League has addressed the use of drones, and drone policy in general, on a case-by-case basis for the last few years. The new policy, announced Friday, codifies and clarifies that policy. It was written by a task force of 15 elected officials, staff members and law enforcement representatives from several League committees — Public Safety and Transportation, Communications, and Public Works. The policy was adopted by the League's board of directors at its June meeting.
"The policy comprises three main sections that address the belief that cities are in the best position to determine certain aspects of drone regulations," the League said in a news release. Those sections are:
— The role of the state;
— Codifying local law enforcement's ability to enforce state (law); and
Local drone laws and the role of local regulations.
The statement says the League acted to preclude "threats of pre-emption ... at both the state and federal level from the drone industry and others who seek to subvert local authority."
"As such, the League is now better prepared to further engage on this issue and will enable cities to regulate drones to their fullest extent possible."
