The Senate Agriculture and Veterans Affairs Committee convened on March 20, 2025, to discuss a proposed bill concerning drone usage in agricultural settings. The meeting featured testimony from various stakeholders, highlighting concerns about the implications of the legislation.

The first speaker, Mr. Fleckenstein, raised significant concerns regarding the bill's potential to complicate existing regulations governing drone operations. He emphasized that current federal regulations already address many of the issues the bill aims to tackle, particularly regarding the use of drones by individuals who may harass livestock or agricultural operations. Fleckenstein argued that the bill's vague language could inadvertently hinder legal drone operators rather than protect them, suggesting that the focus should be on enforcing existing laws rather than introducing new, potentially problematic regulations.

Following Fleckenstein, Lisa Feldman, representing the North Dakota Association of Realtors and the North Dakota Association of Builders, expressed opposition to the bill. She highlighted the challenges that drone photography poses for real estate marketing, particularly the requirement to obtain permission from multiple landowners when capturing images that may include their properties. Feldman noted that the bill's focus on animal agriculture could lead to unintended consequences for rural properties, where livestock and wildlife are often present. She requested a specific amendment to the bill to exempt certain provisions that would affect real estate practices.

The committee did not receive any further testimony in opposition or neutral positions on the bill, indicating a lack of additional dissenting voices at this stage of the discussion. The meeting concluded without any immediate resolutions or votes, leaving the future of the proposed legislation uncertain as the committee considers the implications of the testimony presented.

Overall, the discussions underscored the complexities surrounding drone regulations in agricultural contexts and the need for careful consideration of existing laws and stakeholder impacts before moving forward with new legislation.