Read the full stored bill text
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83rd OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2025 Regular Session
A-Engrossed
Senate Bill 238
Ordered by the Senate April 14
Including Senate Amendments dated April 14
Printed pursuant to Senate Interim Rule 213.28 by order of the President of the Senate in conformance with pre-
session filing rules, indicating neither advocacy nor opposition on the part of the President (at the request
of Senate Interim Committee on Judiciary)
SUMMARY
The following summary is not prepared by the sponsors of the measure and is not a part of the body thereof subject
to consideration by the Legislative Assembly. It is an editor’s brief statement of the essential features of the
measure. The statement includes a measure digest written in compliance with applicable readability standards.
Digest: The Act changes the laws about the use of drones by law enforcement. (Flesch
Readability Score: 76.5).
[Digest: The Act tells the DPSST to do a study. (Flesch Readability Score: 94.3). ]
[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 Legis-
lative 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.
A BILL FOR AN ACT
Relating to law enforcement officers; amending ORS 837.320 and 837.370; and repealing ORS 837.330,
837.335 and 837.340.
Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:
SECTION 1.
ORS 837.320 is amended to read:
837.320. [(1) A law enforcement agency may operate an unmanned aircraft system, acquire infor-
mation through the operation of an unmanned aircraft system, or disclose information acquired through
the operation of an unmanned aircraft system, if: ]
[(a) A warrant is issued authorizing use of an unmanned aircraft system; or ]
[(b) The law enforcement agency has probable cause to believe that a person has committed a crime,
is committing a crime or is about to commit a crime, and exigent circumstances exist that make it un-
reasonable for the law enforcement agency to obtain a warrant authorizing use of an unmanned aircraft
system.]
[(2) A warrant authorizing the use of an unmanned aircraft system must specify the period for
which operation of the unmanned aircraft system is authorized. In no event may a warrant provide for
the operation of an unmanned aircraft system for a period of more than 30 days. Upon motion and good
cause shown, a court may renew a warrant after the expiration of the 30-day period. ]
(1) A law enforcement agency or a law enforcement officer may operate an unmanned
aircraft system, acquire information through the operation of an unmanned aircraft system
or disclose information acquired through the operation of an unmanned aircraft system, in
connection with lawful police activity, when the law enforcement agency is:
(a) Responding to any call for law enforcement services.
(b) Responding to a public safety emergency in which personal injury or damage to
NOTE: Matter in boldfaced type in an amended section is new; matter [ italic and bracketed] is existing law to be omitted.
New sections are in boldfaced type.
LC 3072
A-Eng. SB 238
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property could occur.
(c) Conducting search and rescue operations.
(d) Conducting training as provided in ORS 837.345.
(e) Obtaining information about a property when the property owner has consented.
(f) Executing a warrant.
(g) Responding to exigent circumstances that make it unreasonable for the law enforce-
ment agency to obtain a warrant authorizing use of an unmanned aircraft system, if probable
cause exists to believe that a person has committed a crime, is committing a crime or is
about to commit a crime.
(h) Operating an unmanned aircraft system as authorized by a warrant issued by a court.
(2) A law enforcement agency or a law enforcement officer may operate an unmanned
aircraft system not in connection with police activity only if all cameras on the unmanned
aircraft system are:
(a) Stowed; or
(b) Positioned to provide situational awareness for flight and used only for airspace de-
confliction.
(3) Except as otherwise authorized by this section, a law enforcement agency or a law
enforcement officer may not operate an unmanned aircraft system to conduct surveillance
over the boundaries of commercial property unless the property owner has consented and
the property owner has posted conspicuous notice that a law enforcement agency may be
operating an unmanned aircraft system over the property.
(4) Except as otherwise authorized by this section, a law enforcement agency or a law
enforcement officer may not operate an unmanned aircraft system for purposes of traffic
enforcement, except when the law enforcement agency is actively pursuing a fleeing suspect.
(5) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, a law enforcement agency may not use
an unmanned aircraft system to collect or maintain information in a manner prohibited by
ORS 181A.250.
SECTION 2.
ORS 837.370 is amended to read:
837.370. (1) [ Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, ] A person may not operate an
unmanned aircraft system over the boundaries of privately owned premises in a manner so as to
intentionally, knowingly or recklessly harass or annoy the owner or occupant of the privately owned
premises.
[(2) Subsection (1) of this section does not apply to the use of an unmanned aircraft system by a
law enforcement agency under ORS 837.335. ]
[(3)(a)] (2)(a) Except as provided in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this subsection, violation of sub-
section (1) of this section is a Class B violation.
(b) If, at the time of the offense, the person has one prior conviction under this section, violation
of subsection (1) of this section is a Class A violation.
(c) If, at the time of the offense, the person has two or more prior convictions under this section,
violation of subsection (1) of this section is a Class B misdemeanor.
(d) If the court imposes a sentence of probation for a violation under paragraph (c) of this sub-
section, the court may order as a condition of probation that the person may not possess an un-
manned aircraft system.
SECTION 3. ORS 837.330, 837.335 and 837.340 are repealed.
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