North Dakota and Virginia are early adopters for compliant drone tech programs, funding, and support
States enacting legislation and police grant funding for drone tech transitions
As the US Federal government under the administration of President Trump reviews foreign-made drones/UAVs, organizations throughout the country are preparing resources and programs to help Law Enforcement Agencies transition to drones that comply with rule changes.
States throughout the country are following suit. North Dakota and Virginia are two examples of early adopters:
North Dakota
- North Dakota Department of Commerce is enacting the UAS (Uncrewed Aircraft Systems) Replacement Program
- Authorized during the 69th Legislative Assembly by Senate Bill No. 2018 in North Dakota
- $9 million appropriation
- “replace non-compliant drones currently in use by state agencies to align with national security standards,” according to Northern Plains UAS Test Site
More information
North Dakota Drone Replacement Program
Virginia
- Virginia State Police receive $1 million appropriation
- Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services will administer $1 million grant program
- Passed by the Virginia General Assembly and signed into law by Governor Youngkin, under HB1600 budget bill
- Exclusive details and interview on Virginia program in dronelife
More details continue to be released about this new program.
Terms, deadlines, and application information for the Virginia drone grant is expected to be available here in the future.
Grants from the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services
We’ll update this information as more details come available and as other states add or modify programs.