Virginia · 2026 Regular Session · Bill
SB 647: Unmanned aircraft systems; use by law-enforcement officers, search warrants.
Enacted Official data
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Enacted
Last official action: ·Record last updated:
Plain-language summary
SB 647 is a bill introduced in the Virginia Senate on January 14, 2026. According to its official title, it concerns: Unmanned aircraft systems; use by law-enforcement officers, search warrants. Primary sponsor: Todd Pillion (Republican). It lists 2 additional sponsors. Most recent recorded action (April 6, 2026): Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0271).
Generated automatically from the official title, sponsor list, and status record only. It does not characterize the bill’s purpose or effects. How summaries are written
Official summary
Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.
Use of unmanned aircraft systems by law-enforcement officers; search warrants; model policy. Expedites the issuance of a search warrant for unmanned aircraft systems by law-enforcement officers upon a finding of reasonable and probable cause by an authorized judicial official, as defined in the bill, and permits the use of unmanned aircraft systems without a search warrant when law enforcement is surveying the scene of a crime or to respond to a public safety call for service when such crime scene or call for service is located on public property, to locate a person when such person has fled the offense location during the initial response to an incident, or to provide real-time aerial observation to increase on-scene safety and security. Such provisions are subject to a reenactment clause. The bill also requires the Department of Criminal Justice Services, in consultation with the Virginia Indigent Defense Commission and the Virginia Association of Commonwealth's Attorneys, to establish a model policy for the use of unmanned aircraft systems by December 1, 2026. This bill is identical to HB 1219.
Sponsors
Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Republican 3
| Name | Role | Party | Chamber | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Todd Pillion | Primary sponsor | Republican | Senate | 6 |
| Christie Craig | Co-sponsor | Republican | Senate | 19 |
| Bill DeSteph | Co-sponsor | Republican | Senate | 20 |
“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.
Recent official actions
- Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0271)
- Approved by Governor-Chapter 271 (effective 7/1/2026)
- Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB647)
- Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
- Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 14, 2026
- Signed by President
- Signed by Speaker
- Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB647ER)
- Enrolled
- House amendment agreed to by Senate (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
- Passed House with amendment (99-Y 0-N 0-A)
- Reconsideration of passage agreed to by House
Showing 12 most recent of 34 actions. Full history