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HB 2423KANSASSession 2025-2026State Billdead

Did Not Advance

Kansas HB 2423 allows licensed drone operators to locate wounded deer with landowner permission

Original title: AN ACT concerning wildlife; relating to hunting; allowing hunters who are federally licensed drone operators to use drones to locate wounded or recently deceased deer; requiring permission from the public or private landowner, or such landowner's authorized representative, prior to launching or landing a drone from or on such landowner's property; prohibiting the use of drones to harass wildlife or the pursuit of any wildlife that has been harassed by or with the aid of a drone; amending K.S.A. 32-1003 and repealing the existing section.

Last action · April 10, 2026: Died in CommitteeSponsor: Kevin Schwertfeger

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

Law

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What This Bill Proposed

This bill permits federally licensed operators who have struck a deer during open hunting season to use drones for locating and recovering wounded or recently deceased deer, provided they obtain prior landowner permission and avoid ing wildlife.

Why it matters

Changes recovery methods for deer hunters by creating a legal exception for use, while requiring permission for launching or landing on private or public land and banning the pursuit of wildlife disturbed by drones.

Who It Would Have Affected

Groups the bill's text would have affected, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

Hunters

Hunters who are FAA-licensed drone operators gain a legal method to locate and recover wounded or recently deceased deer during open season.

Directly affected

Landowners

Landowners must grant prior permission for drone launch and landing on their property, and retain protections against unauthorized trespass.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a special license to use a drone to find a wounded deer under this bill?

Yes. The hunter must be a licensed federal aviation administration operator under 14 C.F.R. Part 107 and possess the appropriate hunting license and permit.

Can I launch a drone from a neighboring property without permission to find my deer?

No. Any hunter operating a must first obtain permission from the public or private landowner, or their authorized representative, prior to launching or landing a drone from or on their property, and the act does not authorize trespassing.

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Where This Stands

This bill did not become law - Died in committee.

Procedural history

5 actions

Apr 10, 2026House
Died in Committee
Jan 27, 2026House
Hearing: Tuesday, January 27, 2026, 9:00 AM — Room 346-S
Jan 12, 2026HouseIntroduced
Prefiled for Introduction on Thursday, January 8, 2026
Jan 12, 2026HouseIntroduced
Introduced
Jan 12, 2026HouseCommittee
Referred to House Committee on Federal and State Affairs

Version history

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Lobbying Activity

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Full breakdown

Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.

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