Texas Drone Ban: HB41 Threatens Public Security

Prepare for a strong wake-up name in opposition to the Texas Drone Ban straight from the center of Central Texas! Within the video and transcript beneath, Rob Robertson delivers an pressing and compelling message that each regulation enforcement officer, involved citizen, and Texan wants to listen to. With ardour and readability, he exposes the hidden risks of Home Invoice 41—a misleading proposal that might strip public security groups of the lifesaving Drone Know-how they depend on day by day. This isn’t only a coverage debate; it’s a gripping battle for the instruments that shield our communities, and Rob’s phrases will go away you knowledgeable, impressed, and able to take motion. Dive in and see why this issues to you!

Public Security Drone Advocacy: Opposition to Home Invoice 41

Good morning, everybody. Rob Robertson right here, coming to you from Central Texas. Regulation enforcement and anxious residents, particularly right here in Texas, we’d like your consideration and your voice. Lawmakers are pushing a invoice, Home Invoice 41. If it passes, it could successfully ban the drones that Texas public security groups depend on each single day to guard our communities. Let me be clear: these aren’t toys. They’re not devices. They’re lifelines. Public security makes use of them to discover lacking youngsters, scale back use-of-force incidents, de-escalate high-risk conditions, and shield officers from strolling into lethal ambushes. They’re additionally important for border safety, catastrophe response, and search and rescue.

Understanding Home Invoice 41

So what’s Home Invoice 41? HB41 is a sweeping drone ban disguised as a cyber safety coverage. However if you happen to learn the superb print, it does the alternative of defending Texas. It might pressure businesses to retire protected working gear at an arbitrary deadline. It might ban the acquisition of the identical drones utilized by 95% of public security groups within the nation. And it could floor American-made drones with elements made in China.

Let’s name it what it’s: a vendor safety invoice, not a safety invoice. Whereas lobbyists push this below the flag of safety, it’s your communities, rural cities, border zones, and metropolis streets that may pay the value. That is like telling Firefighters they will’t use the one hose that matches the hydrant as a result of it was made abroad, regardless that it’s already saved hundreds of properties. Or being instructed to junk your patrol automotive even when it was made in Detroit, simply because a spark plug got here from throughout the ocean.

That’s HB41 logic, throwing out life-saving gear as a result of one chip, battery, or motor got here from over there. That’s not defending Texas. That’s burning tax {dollars} by the billions with a “B”.

And right here’s the actual hazard: If HB41 passes, criminals, cartels, and international adversaries could have entry to raised drone tech than our personal officers. That’s not a principle. It’s already occurring in different states.

The North Hollywood Parallel

Bear in mind the 1997 North Hollywood shootout? LAPD exhibits up with handguns. The suspect had physique armor and computerized weapons. Officers had been outgunned for 44 minutes. And that second modified how we equip regulation enforcement endlessly. However this time it’s not about being outgunned; it’s about being out-teched. And the implications will be simply as lethal.

Monetary and Operational Influence

If HB41 turns into regulation, departments will likely be compelled to purchase drones that price three to 12 instances extra, and they’ll ship much less functionality and include provide chain nightmares, restricted batteries, again orders, and efficiency points. In smaller departments, they could lose their drone packages solely.

So right here’s the kicker: HB41 would even ban American drones in the event that they include associated gear from China, which is sort of all drones in the marketplace in the present day. As a result of the reality is, nobody makes these elements with the identical reliability, scalability, or affordability.

Taking Motion In opposition to Texas Drone Ban

However right here’s the excellent news: We will cease it. HB41 is heading to Committee. If we shut it down there, it’s finished: no vote, no regulation. Right here’s what we’d like from you: be on the Texas Capitol on Wednesday, April 2nd. Present up, testify, and inform lawmakers what these instruments actually imply in your packages and for group safety.

Can’t make it? That’s okay. I simply discovered you possibly can go to droneadvocacyalliance.com proper now, and so they have a piece the place you possibly can contact your Texas representatives. Use their instruments to name, e-mail, and share your story.

About LEDA

I’m not simply talking as a public security drone skilled; I’m talking for the Regulation Enforcement Drone Affiliation (LEDA). We’re a nonprofit devoted to elevating the usual of how drones are utilized in public security. And let me be clear, LEDA is drone agnostic. We don’t push manufacturers; we push outcomes. We imagine businesses ought to have the appropriate to decide on probably the most succesful, reasonably priced, and mission-ready instruments primarily based on their wants, not politics.

As a result of on the finish of the day, it’s extra American to save lots of American lives than to manage instruments primarily based on concern or lobbying. Public security is just not the place for political theater. We want coverage primarily based on info, not flags.

This isn’t nearly drones. It’s about your loved ones, your officers, your neighborhood. We have to say no. Stand in solidarity in opposition to the Texas Drone Ban / Home Invoice 41 and say sure to retaining public security sturdy, geared up, and succesful. If you wish to take part and want extra data on this listening to, e-mail rob@ledauas.org. Additionally, CC BK@ledauas.org. We’ll see you on the Capitol.

Let’s shut the Texas Drone Ban down collectively!