GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 2017

S                                                                                                                                                     1

SENATE BILL 523

Short Title:      EMS Use of UAS.		(Public)
Sponsors:	Senator Rabin (Primary Sponsor).
Referred to:	Rules and Operations of the Senate

March 30, 2017

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT to allow emergency management agencies to use unmanned aircraft systems and available technology imaging and to appropriate funds based on the findings of the Joint Legislative emergency management oversight committee.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  G.S. 15A‑300.1 is amended by adding two new subsections to read:

"(c1) Emergency Management Agencies Exceptions. – Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (b) of this section, emergency management agencies as defined in G.S. 166A‑19.3(9) may use unmanned aircraft systems for all functions and all activities related to emergency management, including incident command, area reconnaissance, search and rescue, preliminary damage assessment, hazard risk management, floodplain mapping, and other related emergency management purposes.

(c2) Emergency Management Use of Special Imaging Technology. – Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (d) of this section, unmanned aircraft systems may be equipped with infrared and other imaging technology for emergency management and hazard risk management purposes."

SECTION 2.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Public Safety, Division of Emergency Management, for the 2017‑2018 fiscal year the sum of two million three hundred ninety‑seven thousand dollars ($2,397,000) in recurring funds to be used to support the Urban Search and Rescue Program. The funds shall be used in partnership with units of local government to supplement local expenses to purchase equipment, maintain equipment, and provide other items necessary to ensure statewide search and rescue services. Any match requirement established by the Secretary may be satisfied by the sponsoring local agency with cash payments or in‑kind contributions.

SECTION 3.  Section 2 of this act becomes effective July 1, 2017. The remainder of this act is effective when it becomes law.