TX HB 912 (2013 drone privacy)
Texas HB 912 — Texas Privacy Act (Drone Surveillance)
Texas · Tex. Gov't Code Ch. 423
- Status
- In effect
- Took effect
- September 1, 2013
- Applies to
- Private and commercial drone operators in Texas (not law enforcement; separate ch. 423 subchapter)
- Enforced by
- Texas Department of Public Safety; private civil enforcement
One of the broadest state drone-privacy laws: it is illegal in Texas to use a drone to capture images of a person or private real property without consent, subject to 19 enumerated exceptions (newsgathering, mapping, etc.). Texas's drone-privacy chapter was partially struck down in NPPA v. McCraw (2022) on First Amendment grounds, but most provisions remain in force.
Who is protected: Texas residents whose images are captured or whose private property is surveilled by drones
Legal detail
Tex. Gov't Code Ch. 423 (Use of Unmanned Aircraft), added by HB 912 of the 83rd Leg., R.S. (2013). National Press Photographers Ass'n v. McCraw, 90 F.4th 770 (5th Cir. 2024) reinstated key provisions after district-court invalidation.
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | Texas |
|---|---|
| Level | State |
| Strength | Moderate |
| Enacted | June 14, 2013 |
| Citation | Tex. Gov't Code Ch. 423 |
| Private right of action | Yes, individuals can sue |
| Penalties | Criminal misdemeanor ($500 first offense); civil damages of up to $10,000 per offense plus actual damages |
| Topics | consumer data privacy · police and surveillance AI · consumer protection |
| Bill text | Texas Legislature Online — HB 912 (83R, 2013) |
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- Texas HB 3512 government AI training mandate (2025) · In effect
- Texas TWDB data center water reporting penalties (2026) · In effect
- Texas Abbott halt on state funding for Flock cameras (2026) · In effect
- Texas AG data center water-reporting investigation (2026) · In effect
Related consumer data privacy rules elsewhere
- Vermont Data Broker Law (H.211) · Enacted (not yet in effect)
- Chatrie v. United States (Fourth Amendment protection for location… · Blocked / in litigation
- House Bill 2512 — Banning surveillance pricing by rideshare companies · Proposed / pending
- Kids Internet and Digital Safety Act (KIDS Act) (H.R. 7757) · Proposed / pending
- Maine LD 61 (employer surveillance disclosure & prohibition) · In effect
- Washington SHB 1672 (employee monitoring notice, ADS restrictions, emotion AI ban) · In effect
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