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HLS 26RS-484 RE-REENGROSSED
2026 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 940
BY REPRESENTATIVE BERAULT
CRIME: Provides relative to the unlawful use of an unmanned aircraft system
1 AN ACT
2 To amend and reenact R.S. 44:4.1(B)(7) and to enact R.S. 14:337.2, R.S. 42:17(F), and R.S.
3 49:954(F), relative to unmanned aircraft systems; to provide for definitions; to
4 provide for duties of law enforcement agencies and officers; to provide for
5 interception and mitigation measures; to provide for training; to provide for the
6 submission of reports; to provide for duties of the office of technology services, the
7 Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, the office of
8 state police, and the office of the attorney general; to provide for the creation of a
9 joint task force; to provide for exceptions to the Open Meetings Law; to provide for
10 public records exceptions; to provide for exceptions to the Administrative Procedure
11 Act; to provide for a presumption; to provide relative to immunity; to provide for an
12 effective date; and to provide for related matters.
13 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
14 Section 1. R.S. 14:337.2 is hereby enacted to read as follows:
15 §337.2. Unmanned aircraft systems; law enforcement training standards; reporting;
16 immunity
17 A. The provisions of this Section shall be known and may be cited as the
18 "Law Enforcement Training Standards Governing Operations Act" or "LETS GO!
19 Act".
20 B. For purposes of this Section, the following terms have the following
21 meanings:
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1 (1) "Forensic" means any technique in which an unmanned aircraft system,
2 its control station, or its data is examined or preserved as evidence in connection
3 with a law enforcement or regulatory action.
4 (2) "Intercept" means any authorized action of a law enforcement officer or
5 agency to detect, track, disable, seize, or otherwise mitigate an unmanned aircraft
6 system threat in accordance with this Section.
7 (3) "Rules of engagement" means policies and operational procedures
8 governing how a law enforcement agency or officer responds to, interdicts, or
9 mitigates the operations of an unmanned aircraft system.
10 (4) "Task force" means the Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems Joint Task
11 Force established pursuant to the provisions of this Section.
12 (5) "Unmanned aircraft system" means an unmanned, powered aircraft that
13 does not carry a human operator, can be autonomous or remotely piloted or operated,
14 and can be expendable or recoverable. "Unmanned aircraft system" does not include
15 any of the following:
16 (a) A satellite orbiting the earth.
17 (b) An unmanned aircraft system used by the federal government or a person
18 who is acting pursuant to contract with the federal government to conduct
19 surveillance of specific activities.
20 (c) An unmanned aircraft system used by the state government or a person
21 who is acting pursuant to a contract with the state government to conduct
22 surveillance of specific activities.
23 (d) An unmanned aircraft system used by a local government law
24 enforcement agency or fire department.
25 (e) An unmanned aircraft system used by a person, affiliate, employee,
26 agent, or contractor of any business that is regulated by the Louisiana Public Service
27 Commission or by a local franchising authority or the Federal Communications
28 Commission under the Cable Television Consumer Protection and Competition Act
29 of 1992 or of a municipal or public utility, while acting in the course and scope of
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1 his employment or agency relating to the operation, repair, or maintenance of a
2 facility, servitude, or any property located on the immovable property which belongs
3 to such a business.
4 (f) An unmanned aircraft system authorized by the Federal Aviation
5 Administration to conduct commercial flights if such system is being operated by an
6 employee or agent of the system's owner in the scope of his employment.
7 C.(1) A law enforcement agency or officer acting pursuant to the rules of
8 engagement may take reasonable mitigation measures against an unmanned aircraft
9 system that the agency or officer reasonably suspects is engaged in illegal, nefarious,
10 or threatening conduct.
11 (2) Any interception or mitigation shall adhere to all of the following
12 procedures:
13 (a) It is consistent with approved rules of engagement.
14 (b) It is documented in writing or electronically.
15 (3) All equipment employed for interception or mitigation measures against
16 an unmanned aircraft system shall comply with applicable state and federal laws.
17 D.(1) A law enforcement agency or officer who performs or supervises an
18 interception of an unmanned aircraft system shall complete the training program
19 created pursuant to this Section.
20 (2) Agencies shall maintain records of officer certifications and make such
21 records available to the task force for inspection.
22 (3) By January thirtieth of each year, every agency exercising interception
23 authority over unmanned aircraft systems shall submit an annual summary of
24 training and operational incidents to the task force. Each such summary shall be
25 exempt from disclosure pursuant to the Public Records Law.
26 E. Forensic laboratories utilized pursuant to this Section shall be accredited
27 or approved by the task force or by federal agencies authorized to mitigate against
28 unmanned aircraft systems.
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1 F.(1) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the purchase,
2 lease, or rental of any information technology equipment, related services, or
3 software pursuant to the provisions of this Section shall be exempt from the
4 oversight and procurement authority of the office of technology services; however,
5 all such procurements shall be made in conformity with applicable state and federal
6 procurement laws and regulations and the office of technology services shall assist
7 with execution of the provisions of this Section.
8 (2) The task force, with the assistance of the office of technology services,
9 shall maintain the following, the contents of which shall be exempt from disclosure
10 pursuant to the Public Records Law:
11 (a) A statewide inventory of approved hardware and software technologies
12 for agency use.
13 (b) A database accessible by state and local law enforcement agencies of
14 technical advisories and bulletins regarding the capabilities of emerging
15 counter-technology software to unmanned aircraft systems.
16 G. The task force shall prepare a threat and vulnerability, law enforcement
17 sensitive assessment for the purpose of prevention of terrorist-related activity for the
18 House and Senate Select Committees on Homeland Security.
19 H.(1) The Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems Joint Task Force is hereby
20 created under the jurisdiction of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections,
21 office of state police.
22 (2) The membership of the task force shall be as follows:
23 (a) The superintendent of the office of state police, or his designee, who shall
24 serve as the chairman.
25 (b) Two employees of the office of state police who are each subject matter
26 experts in unmanned aircraft systems.
27 (c) The Adjutant General of Louisiana, or his designee.
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1 (d) An employee of the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and
2 Emergency Preparedness who is a subject matter expert in unmanned aircraft
3 systems.
4 (e) The executive director of the Louisiana Sheriffs' Association, or his
5 designee.
6 (f) Two members of the Louisiana Sheriffs' Association, appointed by the
7 association's executive committee, who are each subject matter experts in unmanned
8 aircraft systems.
9 (g) The president of the Louisiana Association of Chiefs of Police, or his
10 designee.
11 (h) One member of the Louisiana Association of Chiefs of Police who is
12 selected by the executive officers of the association and who is a subject matter
13 expert in unmanned aircraft systems.
14 (3) Members shall serve without compensation, except for per diem or
15 expenses to which they may be entitled as members of their constituent
16 organizations.
17 (4) A majority of the total membership shall constitution a quorum of the
18 task force and any official action taken by the task force shall require an affirmative
19 vote of the majority of the quorum present and voting.
20 (5) The office of state police shall provide staff support to the task force.
21 (6) The task force may create subcommittees as it deems necessary.
22 I.(1) A law enforcement officer or agency who performs or supervises a
23 mitigation of an unmanned aircraft system shall be presumed to have acted within
24 the scope of lawful authority if he acts in good faith and in substantial compliance
25 with this Section.
26 (2) Immunity shall not extend to acts of gross negligence, willful
27 misconduct, or knowing violations of constitutional or statutory law.
28 (3) Nothing in this Subsection shall preclude an individual from seeking
29 judicial relief for unlawful actions or a violation of rights.
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1 J.(1) The task force shall adopt policies and procedures necessary for the
2 implementation and administration of the provisions of this Section.
3 (2) The policies and procedures shall include but not be limited to any of the
4 following:
5 (a) Rules of engagement and coordination with federal agencies pertaining
6 to the interception and mitigation of unmanned aircraft systems.
7 (b) Training and certification standards for law enforcement officers engaged
8 in mitigation or forensic activities. Training shall include but not be limited to all
9 of the following:
10 (i) Identification and detection of unmanned aircraft systems.
11 (ii) Counter-technologies for unmanned aircraft systems.
12 (iii) Operational safety and risk mitigation.
13 (iv) Civil rights, privacy, and evidentiary considerations.
14 (v) Scenario-based exercises.
15 (c) Procedures for the management and preservation of forensics and
16 evidence to ensure integrity and admissibility of evidence related to unmanned
17 aircraft systems. Such procedures shall include but not be limited to all of the
18 following:
19 (i) Chain of custody documentation.
20 (ii) Data extraction and verification of digital integrity.
21 (iii) Secure storage of seized equipment.
22 (iv) Metadata and telemetry preservation.
23 (v) Reporting and certification of forensic specialists.
24 (d) Inter-agency coordination protocols, memoranda of understanding, and
25 reporting and oversight mechanisms.
26 (e) Privacy, civil rights, and constitutional protections applicable to
27 mitigation of unmanned aircraft systems.
28 (f) Procurement and technology standards developed in consultation with the
29 office of technology services.
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1 (3) Policies and procedures adopted pursuant to Subparagraphs (2)(a)
2 through (d) and (f) of this Subsection shall be exempt from disclosure pursuant to the
3 Public Records Law.
4
5 Section 2. R.S. 42:17(F) is hereby enacted to read as follows:
6 §17. Exceptions to open meetings
7 * * *
8 F. The provisions of this Chapter shall not apply to meetings of the Counter-
9 Unmanned Aircraft Systems Joint Task Force and any sub-committee thereof.
10 Section 3. R.S. 44:4.1(B)(7) is hereby amended and reenacted to read as follows:
11 §4.1. Exceptions
12 * * *
13 B. The legislature further recognizes that there exist exceptions, exemptions,
14 and limitations to the laws pertaining to public records throughout the revised
15 statutes and codes of this state. Therefore, the following exceptions, exemptions, and
16 limitations are hereby continued in effect by incorporation into this Chapter by
17 citation:
18 * * *
19 (7) R.S. 14:337.2, 403, 403.1, 403.5
20 * * *
21 Section 4. R.S. 49:954(F) is hereby enacted to read as follows:
22 §954. Exemptions from provisions of Chapter
23 * * *
24 F. This Chapter shall not be applicable to the Counter-Unmanned Aircraft
25 Systems Joint Task Force and any sub-committee thereof.
26 Section 5. This Act shall become effective upon signature by the governor or, if not
27 signed by the governor, upon expiration of the time for bills to become law without signature
28 by the governor, as provided by Article III, Section 18 of the Constitution of Louisiana. If
29 vetoed by the governor and subsequently approved by the legislature, this Act shall become
30 effective on the day following such approval.
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DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 940 Re-Reengrossed 2026 Regular Session Berault
Abstract: Provides relative to the unlawful use of an unmanned aircraft system.
Proposed law defines the terms "forensic", "intercept", "rules of engagement", and
"unmanned aircraft system".
Proposed law authorizes a law enforcement agency or officer to take reasonable mitigation
measures against an unmanned aircraft system that the agency or officer reasonably suspects
is engaged in illegal, nefarious, or threatening conduct.
Proposed law provides for interception or mitigation procedures.
Proposed law provides for training, maintenance of records of officer certifications, and the
submission of an annual summary of training and operational incidents.
Proposed law exempts the annual summary of training and operational incidents from the
Public Records Law.
Proposed law establishes the Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems Joint Task Force (task
force) under the jurisdiction of the Dept. of Public Safety and Corrections, office of state
police, and provides for the membership, powers, and duties of the task force. Provides for
meetings of the task force and rules for conduct of such meetings. Further provides that
these meetings are not subject to the Open Meetings Law.
Proposed law requires that forensic laboratories be accredited or approved by the task force
or by federal agencies authorized to mitigate against unmanned aircraft systems.
Proposed law exempts information technology, equipment, related services, and software
procured pursuant to the provisions of proposed law from the oversight and procurement
authority of the office of technology services (OTS); however, requires all such
procurements to be made in conformity with applicable state and federal procurement laws
and regulations and requires OTS to assist with execution of the provisions of proposed law.
Proposed law requires the task force to prepare an annual report that summarizes certain
information. Further provides that this annual report is not subject to the Public Records
Law.
Proposed law provides that a law enforcement officer or agency who performs or supervises
a mitigation of an unmanned aircraft system is presumed to have acted within the scope of
lawful authority if he acts in good faith and in substantial compliance with proposed law.
Proposed law provides that immunity does not extend to acts of gross negligence, willful
misconduct, or knowing violations of constitutional or statutory law. Further provides that
nothing in proposed law precludes an individual from seeking judicial relief for unlawful
actions or a violation of rights.
Proposed law authorizes the task force to adopt necessary policies and procedures for the
implementation and administration of proposed law.
Effective upon signature of governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
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HB NO. 940
(Amends R.S. 44:4.1(B)(7); Adds R.S. 14:337.2; 42:17(F) and 49:954(F))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Appropriations to the
engrossed bill:
1. Remove provisions relative to the Attorney General.
2. Remove provisions relative to the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and
Emergency Preparedness, except with respect to membership on the task force.
3. Add sunset date of June 30, 2028.
4. Add definitions.
5. Establish the task force under the jurisdiction of the Dept. of Public Safety and
Corrections, office of state police, and provide for the powers and duties of the
task force.
6. Change the membership of the task force.
7. Require the task force to approve any adoption, change, or repeal of rules relative
to proposed law prior to the initiation of rulemaking authority pursuant to the
APA.
8. Exempt IT procurements made pursuant to proposed law from the oversight and
authority of OTS. Require OTS to assist with execution of proposed law.
9. Make technical and conforming changes.
The House Floor Amendments to the reengrossed bill:
1. Exempt the reports issued by the task force from the public records law.
2. Exempt the meetings of the task force from the open meetings law.
3. Modify proposed law to authorize the task force to adopt policies and procedures
for implementation and administration of proposed law.
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