Existing law governs the operation of unmanned aerial vehicles by a public agency or law enforcement agency. (NRS 493.103-493.118) The Department of Public Safety is required to adopt regulations prescribing the public purposes for which a public agency may operate an unmanned aerial vehicle. (NRS 493.118) A “public agency” means any agency, office, bureau, board, commission, department or division of this State or a political subdivision, other than a law enforcement agency. (NRS 493.020) Section 1 of this bill requires the Department to adopt regulations to establish: (1) a list of countries, businesses and entities from which a public agency or law enforcement agency shall not purchase or acquire any unmanned aerial vehicle or other equipment or services relating to the operation of an unmanned aerial vehicle; and (2) a list of unmanned aerial vehicles and other related equipment or services that a public agency or law enforcement agency shall not operate, purchase or acquire. Such lists must include, without limitation: (1) any country, business or entity from which a federal agency or contractor is prohibited from purchasing or acquiring an unmanned aerial vehicle or other equipment or service relating to the operation of an unmanned aerial vehicle pursuant to any federal law, rule, regulation or order; and (2) any unmanned aerial vehicle or other equipment or service relating to the operation of an unmanned aerial vehicle which has been prohibited for use by a federal agency or contractor pursuant to any federal law, rule, regulation or order.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 493.118
BDR: 493.118