AUVSI Chapters and Stakeholders Active in Key States

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As part of their Legislative Day, the AUVSI California Silicon Valley Chapter votes to support and promote Assembly Bill 14, introduced by Assemblyman Waldron. AB14 would create the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Task Force, comprised of 10 members, as provided. The bill would require the task force to research, develop, and formulate a comprehensive policy for unmanned aircraft systems. The task force would be required to submit, among other things, a policy draft and suggested legislation pertaining to unmanned aircraft systems to the Legislature and the Governor throughout the term of the task force, on or before January 1, 2018. The bill would provide that these provisions are repealed on January 1, 2022. AB14 was last heard on 13 February and was referred to the Committee on Transportation.

Through the active involvement of the Florida Peninsula and Emerald Coast Chapters, and Grant Begley, we have made significant strides in supporting and advancing the legislative efforts of SB 1178 and HB 979, entitled “Florida Drone Privacy Act.”

These complimentary bills submitted by Sen. Richter and Rep. Smith, respectively, are excellent bills to enable the ethical and responsible advancement of UAS/drones in Florida, for the economic benefits of Florida, and for the improved quality of life benefits for Floridians. The bills are scheduled to be heard by their respective chambers in the immediate future and we are cautiously optimistic they will pass favorably.

After several months of working with Senators in Maryland’s General Assembly, Sen. Rosapepe introduced SB 370, an industry proactive bill. SB 370, Unmanned Aircraft Systems Research, Development, Regulation, and Privacy 2 Act of 2015,  provides that only the State may enact a law or take other action to (4) prohibit, restrict, or regulate the testing or operation of unmanned aircraft systems (5) in the State; preempting the authority of a county or municipality to prohibit, (6) restrict, or regulate the testing or operation of unmanned aircraft systems and (7) providing that certain laws or ordinances are superseded; specifying that federal (8) preemption of State law is not affected by this Act.



Matt Scassero, Director, University of Maryland Unmanned Aircraft Systems Test Site, Associate Director for Maryland Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership testified on behalf of industry and support of SB 370. On 20 March, SB 370 passed on the Senate floor with a few amendments, most of which they checked back through the University of Maryland at various points. SB 370 pre-empts local government so they cannot enact their own anti-UAV ordinances, creates one law for all of Maryland, includes "surveying" as one of the applications for UAS and rather than enacting any limitations, the bill calls for a study of UAS.

 

AUVSI and Matt Scassero testified before the Maryland General Assembly’s House Judiciary Committee in opposition to Del. Miller’s HB 620, Crimes – Unmanned Aircraft Systems – Unauthorized Surveillance. HB 620 is identical to the many state bills that have been introduced in state legislatures across the country. HB 620 attempts to re-write search warrant requirements and create a separate distinction between manned and unmanned systems. We collectively pleaded to the committee to oppose HB620 and to give serious consideration to the safe and effective use of UAS by our industry, the robust legal framework that appropriately addresses privacy concerns, the on-going research and development through the University of Maryland and the economic impact UAS have provide the state. AUVSI concluded by pleading to the committee, ‘while there certainly should be a reasonable conversation about the application of any new technology, we are concerned that UAS specific legislation may unnecessarily limit law enforcement agencies' ability to use unmanned aircraft to keep communities safe, and legislation aimed at commercial users could stifle the development of new uses.’  



We are pleased to announce that we received word from the House Judiciary Committee on 22 March that HB 620 died in committee.

AUVSI submitted written testimony to House Judiciary Committee to oppose HB 593. HB 593 was introduced by Rep. J. Essmann and the bill calls for "an act establishing the Montana Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Act; requiring unmanned aerial vehicle systems to be registered; prohibiting the use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles to disturb, harass, or annoy; prohibiting the use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles without consent or a search warrant for surveillance or for recording or viewing images; providing exceptions; providing penalties for operating an unregistered unmanned aerial vehicle and for unauthorized operation of an unmanned aerial vehicle; providing local government authority to regulate unmanned aerial vehicles; providing rulemaking authority; providing a statutory appropriation’ amending Section 17-7-502, MCA and providing effective dates. In our letter of opposition we pleaded to Judiciary members that it is not prudent for states to pass legislation that may or may not align with the Small UAS rule that was published by the Federal Aviation Administration on 23 February.  Many of the concerns listed in HB593 will be addressed in the rule making process.

AUVSI submitted written testimony to Nevada’s Assembly Committee on Judiciary in opposition to Assembly Bill 239. AB 239 attempts to re-write search warrant requirements, is poorly written and its scope is unclear and conflicts with many current and proposed UAS regulations.

AUVSI testified in support of HB 5292  and HB 5293 which were introduced by Rep. Steven Ucci. HB 5292 provides exclusive aerial regulations whereas, the state of Rhode Island shall have exclusive legal authority to regulate any object capable of flying, which is remotely controlled, flies autonomously through software controlled flight plans embedded in the objects' system by a global position system, commonly known as unpiloted aerial vehicles, remotely piloted aircraft, drones, or unmanned aircraft systems. HB 5292 would grant authority in the state of Rhode Island, to the exclusion of municipalities, to regulate unpiloted aerial vehicles.

 

HB 5293 creates a legislative commission consisting of eleven (11) members: five (5) of whom shall be members of the Rhode Island House of Representatives, not more than four (4) from the same political party, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House; one of whom shall be the Rhode Island Attorney General, or designee; one of whom shall be the President of the Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns, or designee; one of whom shall be the Executive Director of the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency, or designee; one of whom shall be the President of the University of Rhode Island, or designee; and one of whom shall be the President of the Rhode Island Airport Corporation, or designee and AUVSI Association Unmanned Vehicle Systems International. The purpose of the commission shall be to make a comprehensive study, analysis, and recommendations for potential laws, rules, and/or regulations pertaining to the regulation of drones and unmanned aerial vehicles in Rhode Island.

On March 25 Rep. Adam Neylon, Chairman of the Jobs and the Economy Committee will conduct and informational hearing on Unmanned Aircraft Systems. The hearing will focus on the positive economic impact UAS can have on the Wisconsin economy. George Southard Director of Programs, Trimble Navigation Limited, Joseph P Hupy, Associate Professor, Geography Department, UW - Eau Claire, Paul D. Braun, VP of Sales and Marketing, Continental Mapping and Travis LeMoine, Emerging Technologies Developer, Geospatial Division Seiler Instrument & Mfg Co., Inc, will be testifying on behalf of the UAS industry.