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S 1016 113th Congress Senate Crime and Law Enforcement Aviation and airports Civil actions and liability Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation Criminal procedure and sentencing Evidence and witnesses Intelligence activities, surveillance, classified information

Preserving Freedom from Unwarranted Surveillance Act of 2013

Introduced: May 22, 2013 Introduced by: Paul, Rand Republican · Kentucky See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 113th Congress ended
It never became law before the 113th Congress (2013–2014) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 2 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
May 22, 2013
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
May 22, 2013
Introduced in Senate
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Preserving Freedom from Unwarranted Surveillance Act of 2013 - Prohibits a person or entity acting under the authority of (or funded in whole or in part by) the federal government from using a drone to gather evidence or other information pertaining to criminal conduct or conduct in violation of a statute or regulation except to the extent authorized in a warrant satisfying the requirements of the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution.

Defines a "drone" as an unmanned aircraft operated without the possibility of direct human intervention from within or on the aircraft.

Exempts from such prohibition the use of drones to: (1) patrol national borders to prevent or deter illegal entry of any persons or illegal substances, (2) prevent imminent danger to the life of an individual when drones are used by law enforcement 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.

Prohibits evidence obtained or collected in violation of this Act from being admissible in a criminal prosecution in any court in the United States.

What's happening now May 22, 2013

Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

 Related & companion bills 1
  • HR 972 Related bill Preserving Freedom from Unwarranted Surveillance Act of 2013
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 1016: Preserving Freedom from Unwarranted Surveillance Act of 2013. 113th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/113-S-1016/
MLA
"S. 1016: Preserving Freedom from Unwarranted Surveillance Act of 2013." 113th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/113-S-1016/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 1016, 113th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/113-S-1016/.
Markdown link
[S. 1016: Preserving Freedom from Unwarranted Surveillance Act of 2013](https://openamerica.io/bill/113-S-1016/)
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