The law makes such activity punishable by a fine of up to $500, and allows people who were improperly photographed or filmed by drones to collect up to $10,000 in civil penalties. While five other states including Illinois and Florida have passed laws legislation restricting the use of drones for surveillance, the laws in those states mostly protect individual privacy rights.
Texas' new drone law, however, allows police or law enforcement contractors to use drones for surveillance purposes without first obtaining a search warrant in cases in which they "have reasonable suspicion or probable cause."