United States · Bill · HR
H.R. 972 (113th)
Preserving Freedom from Unwarranted Surveillance Act of 2013
Introduced
5 March 2013
Last action
—
Status
Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, And Investigations.
Sponsors
—
Subjects
Discovery layer
Source updated
12 August 2025
Summary
Preserving Freedom from Unwarranted Surveillance Act of 2013 - Prohibits a person or entity acting under the authority of the United States from using a drone to gather evidence or other information pertaining to criminal conduct or regulatory violations except to the extent authorized in a warrant issued under the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure. Defines a "drone" as any powered, aerial vehicle that does not carry a human operator, uses aerodynamic forces to provide vehicle lift, and can fly autonomously or be piloted remotely, be expendable or recoverable, and carry a lethal or nonlethal payload. Exempts from such prohibition the use of drones to: (1) patrol national borders to prevent or deter illegal entry of any immigrants or illegal substances, (2) prevent imminent danger to life or serious damage to property or to forestall the imminent escape of a suspect or destruction of evidence when drones are used by a law enforcement party under exigent circumstances, or (3) counter a high risk of a terrorist attack by a specific individual or organization based on credible intelligence determined by the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS). Authorizes civil actions by aggrieved parties.
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Timeline
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Votes
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Versions
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Documents
3 official files
Introduced in House (text)
Introduced in House (text)
Introduced in House · EN · 5 March 2013
Introduced in House (PDF)
Introduced in House · EN · 5 March 2013
Introduced in House
summary · EN · 5 March 2013
Sponsors
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Related records
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Sources
PoliticalRepo is an index and interpretation layer, not the authoritative legal source.
- Official source: https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/972
- Open data entity: https://api.congress.gov/v3/bill/113/hr/972