N.D. lawmakers OK restrictions on law enforcement use of drones

North Dakota lawmakers have approved new restrictions on drone use by law enforcement agencies.

The legislation, which requires a warrant to conduct drone surveillance, sets reasonable limits, said state Sen. Jonathan Casper, R-Fargo.

"We're simply saying that police in their investigations can't establish probable cause solely by using a drone for the investigation," he said.

State Sen. Larry Luick, R-Fairmount, opposed the bill, saying it could harm the state's growing unmanned aircraft industry.

"We are premature in passing legislation that is going to restrict the use of these drones," he said.

The bill provides exemptions for unmanned aircraft patrolling the U.S.-Canadian border and drones used in cases of imminent danger, an environmental or weather catastrophe or for research.

North Dakota law enforcement officials opposed the legislation.