Following several lengthy public debates over the use of domestic drones in Oregon, the state Senate decided Monday to move forward with a plan that would bar law enforcement officers from using unmanned aerial vehicles to collect information except with a warrant or in emergency circumstances.

House Bill 2710 passed on a 23-5 vote.

Supporters said it was an important first step in regulating the new technology and protecting citizens’ privacy.

“Drone technology shouldn’t enable law enforcement with a tool to circumvent the warrant process,” said Sen. Chip Shields, a Portland Democrat and a sponsor of the bill. “That’s why we need this drone legislation to provide citizens with modern safeguards for due process and privacy rights. As drones become more ubiquitous in the future, we will need to ensure that our legal protections keep pace with the use of this technology.”

Sen. Jeff Kruse, a Roseburg Republican, emphasized in his floor speech that this proposal only laid the foundation.

“This will be an issue that the Legislative Assembly will be dealing with probably for the foreseeable future,” said Kruse, who voted for the bill.

He said future legislation could address issues such as private drone use.

Some opponents said there are privacy and legal issues the bill fails to address.

“I believe that there remain internal fatal flaws,” said Sen. Betsy Johnson, a Scappoose Democrat who voted against the measure.

The bill now goes back to the House, which passed the original version and must consider changes the Senate made.

— From wire reports