BILL · 2013–14 SESSION · LATEST VERSION SHB 2178

HB 2178: Unmanned aircraft

Concerning unmanned aircraft.

Summary

Prohibits operation of an unmanned aircraft in Washington airspace if the unmanned aircraft has active sensory devices onboard that collect personal information about any individual without the individual's consent, unless the federal government has provided "specific authorization" for such operation, or certain conditions are met.
Establishes a criminal penalty for violation with intent to capture any type of personal information.
Establishes a private right of action for an individual whose reasonable expectation of privacy is violated.
Includes a disclaimer that no provisions apply to prohibit, authorize, or regulate in any manner the use of unmanned aircraft by a public agency.
States that the "reasonable expectation of privacy" is presumed violated when a person's image has been captured by an unmanned aircraft equipped with an active sensing device, and such image could not have been captured from an ordinary vantage point outside the boundaries of the property on which the person is located without the use of the unmanned aircraft.

From the Substitute House Bill Report (SHB 2178), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗

Did not pass Did not pass · passed House, stalled in Senate

AN ACT Relating to unmanned aircraft;

Passed February 17, 2014

Version voted on: SHB 2178

92 Yea 6 Nay 0 Absent 0 Excused

Party	Yea	Nay	Absent	Excused
Democrat	51	4	0	0
Republican	41	2	0	0

How each member voted

Mar 13, 2014By resolution, returned to House Rules Committee for third reading. (SHB 2178)
Feb 19, 2014First reading, referred to Law & Justice. (SHB 2178)
Feb 17, 2014Third reading, passed; yeas, 92; nays, 6; absent, 0; excused, 0. (SHB 2178)
Feb 17, 2014Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (SHB 2178)
Feb 17, 20141st substitute bill substituted. (SHB 2178)
Feb 17, 20141st substitute bill substituted.
Jan 30, 2014Placed on second reading by Rules Committee. (SHB 2178)
Jan 30, 2014Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
Jan 29, 2014Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. (SHB 2178)
Jan 29, 2014Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
Jan 24, 2014TED - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. (SHB 2178)
Jan 24, 2014Minority; without recommendation. (SHB 2178)
Jan 24, 2014TED - Executive action taken by committee.
Jan 24, 2014Minority; without recommendation.
Jan 24, 2014TED - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
Jan 13, 2014First reading, referred to Technology & Economic Development (Not Officially read and referred until adoption of Introduction report).
Jan 8, 2014Prefiled for introduction.

Bill numbers restart every two years, so the same number is a different bill in each session.

HB 2178 (2025–26) Court rules and procedures · Enacted · Chapter 151, Laws of 2026
HB 2178 (2023–24) Sex offenses/comm. custody · Did not pass · died in committee
HB 2178 (2019–20) Gen. obligation bonds T.O. · Did not pass · died in committee
HB 2178 (2017–18) Sanctuary from state laws · Did not pass · died in committee
HB 2178 (2015–16) Education T.O. · Did not pass · died in committee
HB 2178 (2011–12) Intrastate mutual aid system · Did not pass · died in committee
HB 2178 (2009–10) Convention & trade center · Did not pass · died in committee
HB 2178 (2007–08) Sale of public lands · Did not pass · died in committee