,,ii #aaeth ,,congress #ast ,session ,s4 #adaj ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,june #bb1 #bjag ,mr4 ,warner 7for himself1 ,mr4 ,hoeven1 ,ms4 ,cortez ,masto1 and ,mr4 ,heller7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,commerce1 ,science1 and ,transportation ,a ,,bill ,to further the development of unmanned aircraft system technology through investing in additional research1 building a trained workforce1 and establishing working groups to address near-term and long-term challenges1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,safe ,development1 ,research1 and ,opportunities ,needed for ,entrepreneurship ,act of #bjag or the ,safe ,,drone ,act of #bjag4 #b4 ,definitions ,except as otherwise specifically provided1 in this ,act1 the terms unmanned aircraft1 unmanned aircraft system1 and small unmanned aircraft have the meanings given those terms in section #cca of the ,,faa ,modernization and ,reform ,act of #bjab 7,public ,law #aab-ie2 #di ,u4,s4,c4 #djaja note74 #c4 ,sense of ,congress on emergency exemption process ,it is the sense of ,congress that the ,administrator of the ,federal ,aviation ,administration should comply as soon as possible1 and not later than #fj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 with the requirement under section #bbjg of the ,,faa ,extension1 ,safety1 and ,security ,act of #bjaf 7,public ,law #aad-aij2 #di ,u4,s4,c4 #djaja note7 to publish guidance for applications for1 and procedures for the processing of1 on an emergency basis1 exemptions or certificates of authorization or waiver for the use of unmanned aircraft systems by or on behalf of civil or public operators in response to a catastrophe1 disaster1 or other emergency to facilitate emergency response operations1 such as firefighting1 search and rescue1 post-catastrophic response operations1 such as utility and infrastructure restoration efforts1 and the safe and prompt processing1 adjustment1 and payment of insurance claims4 #d4 ,plan for full operational capability of unmanned aircraft systems traffic management 7a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary of ,transportation1 in coordination with the ,administrator of the ,national ,aeronautics and ,space ,administration and industry stakeholders1 shall develop an implementation plan to achieve full operational capability of unmanned aircraft systems traffic management 7in this section referred to as ,,utm7 and ensure the safety and security of all aircraft4 7b7 ,requirements ,in developing the plan required by subsection 7a71 the ,secretary shall-- 7#a7 establish a timeline for certifying an operational capability of ,,utm as safe and approved for use2 7#b7 establish criteria to be used to certify a ,,utm system under paragraph 7#a71 including the demonstration and validation of such a system at the test ranges designated under section #ccb7;c7 of the ,,faa ,modernization and ,reform ,act of #bjab 7,public ,law #aab-ie2 #di ,u4,s4,c4 #djaja note72 and 7#c7 outline the roles of industry and government in establishing an operational ,,utm4 7c7 ,assessments ,the plan required by subsection 7a7 shall include an assessment of various components necessary for and possible with the full operational capability of ,,utm1 including-- 7#a7 identification of unmanned aircraft systems in the national airspace system2 7#b7 deconfliction of unmanned aircraft systems in the national airspace system2 7#c7 mitigation of effects of unmanned aircraft systems in the national airspace system2 7#d7 the extent that ,,utm may rely on or use resources of the ,federal ,government2 7#e7 the need for additional detect-and-avoid technologies to detect cooperative and noncooperative aircraft2 7#f7 interoperability with traditional air traffic management services and technology2 7#g7 the potential for ,,utm to manage higher altitude operations of unmanned aircraft systems and unmanned aircraft systems weighing more than #ee pounds2 and 7#h7 cybersecurity protections and national security benefits4 7d7 ,deadline ,not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary shall-- 7#a7 complete the plan required by subsection 7a72 7#b7 submit the plan to-- 7,a7 the ,committee on ,commerce1 ,science1 and ,transportation of the ,senate2 and 7,b7 the ,committee on ,science1 ,space1 and ,technology and the ,committee on ,transportation and ,infrastructure of the ,house of ,representatives2 and 7#c7 publish the plan on a publicly accessible ,internet website of the ,federal ,aviation ,administration4 #e4 ,community and technical college centers of excellence in small unmanned aircraft system technology training 7a7 ,designation ,not later than #abj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,transportation1 in consultation with the ,secretary of ,education and the ,secretary of ,labor1 shall1 subject to paragraph 7#b71 designate consortia of public1 #b-year institutions of higher education as ,community and ,technical ,college ,centers of ,excellence in ,small ,unmanned ,aircraft ,system ,technology ,training 7in this section referred to as the ,centers of ,excellence74 7b7 ,functions ,the ,centers of ,excellence shall seek to expand their capacity to train students for career opportunities in industry and government service related to the use of small unmanned aircraft systems1 including by-- 7#a7 admitting more students2 7#b7 training faculty2 7#c7 expanding facilities2 7#d7 establishing new career pathways from secondary school to associate degree and baccalaureate degree programs2 and 7#e7 awarding credit for prior learning experience1 including military service4 7c7 ,education and training requirements ,the ,centers of ,excellence shall address education and training requirements associated with various types of small unmanned aircraft systems1 components1 and related equipment1 including with respect to-- 7#a7 multi-rotor and fixed-wing small unmanned aircraft2 7#b7 flight systems1 radio controllers1 components1 and characteristics of such aircraft2 7#c7 routine maintenance1 uses and applications1 privacy concerns1 safety1 and insurance for such aircraft2 7#d7 hands-on flight practice using small model quadcopters and computer simulator training2 7#e7 use of small unmanned aircraft in various industry applications and local1 ,state1 and ,federal ,government programs and services1 including in agriculture1 law enforcement1 monitoring oil and gas pipelines1 natural disaster response and recovery1 fire and emergency services1 and other emerging areas2 7#f7 ,federal policies concerning small unmanned aircraft2 7#g7 dual credit programs to deliver small unmanned aircraft training opportunities to secondary school students2 and 7#h7 training with respect to sensors and the processing1 analyzing1 and visualizing of data collected by small unmanned aircraft4 7d7 ,collaboration ,the ,centers of ,excellence shall seek to collaborate with institutions participating in the ,alliance for ,system ,safety of ,,uas through ,research ,excellence of the ,federal ,aviation ,administration and with the test ranges designated under section #ccb7;c7 of the ,,faa ,modernization and ,reform ,act of #bjab 7,public ,law #aab-ie2 #di ,u4,s4,c4 #djaja note74 7e7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated to the ,secretary of ,transportation #e1jjj1jjj for each of the fiscal years #bjah through #bjbc to carry out this section4 7f7 ,institution of higher education ,in this section1 the term institution of higher education has the meaning given the term in section #aja of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajja74 #f4 ,interagency working group on coordinated ,federal policy for communications among unmanned aircraft systems 7a7 ,sense of ,congress ,it is the sense of ,congress that-- 7#a7 a ,federal policy for communications among unmanned aircraft systems1 which may include communications through spectrum1 wireless1 or broadcast networks1 or other means1 requires coordination among ,federal agencies in order to facilitate the safe integration of unmanned aircraft systems into the national airspace system2 and 7#b7 a policy described in paragraph 7#a7 should ensure safety1 promote investment1 and foster innovation to benefit all unmanned aircraft systems stakeholders1 including manufacturers1 operators1 and consumers4 7b7 ,establishment of working group ,not later than #fj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,assistant ,secretary and the ,chairman shall establish a working group to make recommendations with respect to the coordination of ,federal policy for communications among unmanned aircraft systems to facilitate the safe integration of unmanned aircraft systems into the national airspace system4 7c7 ,membership 7#a7 ,in general ,the working group established under subsection 7b7 shall be composed of ,federal stakeholders described in paragraph 7#b7 and non-,federal stakeholders described in paragraph 7#c74 7#b7 ,federal stakeholders ,the ,federal stakeholders described in this paragraph are representatives of-- 7,a7 the ,national ,telecommunications and ,information ,administration2 7,b7 the ,federal ,communications ,commission2 7,c7 the ,federal ,aviation ,administration2 7,d7 the ,national ,aeronautics and ,space ,administration2 7,e7 the ,department of ,defense2 7,f7 the ,department of ,homeland ,security2 7,g7 the ,department of ,justice2 and 7,h7 any other ,federal agency the ,assistant ,secretary considers appropriate4 7#c7 ,non-federal stakeholders ,the non-,federal stakeholders described in this paragraph are representatives of-- 7,a7 unmanned aircraft systems manufacturers2 7,b7 unmanned aircraft systems operators2 7,c7 customers or end users of data collected by unmanned aircraft systems operators2 7,d7 unmanned aircraft systems technology providers2 7,e7 commercial radio spectrum license holders2 7,f7 operators of commercial services in unlicensed spectrum allocations2 7,g7 commercial radio equipment manufacturers2 7,h7 appropriate standards-setting organizations2 and 7,i7 the test ranges designated under section #ccb7;c7 of the ,,faa ,modernization and ,reform ,act of #bjab 7,public ,law #aab-ie2 #di ,u4,s4,c4 #djaja note74 7d7 ,considerations ,in making recommendations under subsection 7b71 the working group established under that subsection shall consider current and anticipated communications needs for unmanned aircraft systems1 including the development of-- 7#a7 sense-and-avoid and detect-and-avoid technology2 7#b7 payload data transmissions2 7#c7 communications link integration in unmanned aircraft systems2 7#d7 appropriate standards for communications links for various altitudes1 aircraft1 and operations2 7#e7 traditional and unmanned aircraft system air traffic management technology2 7#f7 command and control at high altitudes2 7#g7 shared spectrum access and management technologies1 including dynamic spectrum-sharing schemes1 contention-based protocols1 and cognitive radio capabilities2 7#h7 internationally harmonized communications standards2 and 7#i7 radio-frequency communications security standards4 7e7 ,report to congress ,not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 and annually thereafter through ,january #a1 #bjbc1 the ,assistant ,secretary shall submit to ,congress a report on the status of the development of a ,federal policy for communications among unmanned aircraft systems1 including-- 7#a7 a summary of considerations under subsection 7d72 and 7#b7 recommendations for legislative or regulatory action related to that policy that is necessary to facilitate the safe integration of unmanned aircraft systems into the national airspace system4 7f7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,assistant ,secretary ,the term ,assistant ,secretary means the ,assistant ,secretary of ,commerce for ,communications and ,information4 7#b7 ,chairman ,the term ,chairman means the ,chairman of the ,federal ,communications ,commission4 #g4 ,interagency working group on enhanced safety and security for small unmanned aircraft systems 7a7 ,in general ,not later than #ij days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,administrator of the ,federal ,aviation ,administration1 in coordination with the ,secretary of ,homeland ,security1 shall establish an interagency working group-- 7#a7 to examine methods and structures to enhance the safety and security of expanded operations by small unmanned aircraft that involve operations beyond the visual line of sight of the operator and over people2 and 7#b7 to clearly delineate roles and responsibilities among agencies participating in the working group in determining proper safety and security-related obligations and oversight4 7b7 ,membership ,the interagency working group established under subsection 7a7 shall1 in addition to the ,administrator of the ,federal ,aviation ,administration and the ,secretary of ,homeland ,security1 be composed of the following3 7#a7 ,the ,secretary of ,defense4 7#b7 ,the ,attorney ,general4 7#c7 ,the ,director of the ,federal ,bureau of ,investigation4 7#d7 ,the heads of such other ,federal agencies as the ,administrator of the ,federal ,aviation ,administration considers appropriate4 7c7 ,consultations ,the interagency working group established under subsection 7a7 shall regularly consult with representatives of-- 7#a7 unmanned aircraft systems industry organizations and stakeholders2 and 7#b7 the test ranges designated under section #ccb7;c7 of the ,,faa ,modernization and ,reform ,act of #bjab 7,public ,law #aab-ie2 #di ,u4,s4,c4 #djaja note74 7d7 ,report ,not later than #ahj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the interagency working group established under subsection 7a7 shall-- 7#a7 develop conclusions and recommendations with respect to the matters specified in that subsection2 and 7#b7 submit to ,congress a report on such conclusions and recommendations4 7e7 ,rulemaking ,not later than #bgj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,administrator of the ,federal ,aviation ,administration shall release for public comment a notice of proposed rulemaking to modify part #ajg of title #ad1 ,code of ,federal ,regulations1 to allow for operations by small unmanned aircraft1 including operations over people1 operations beyond the visual line of sight of the operator1 operations at night1 and operations of multiple unmanned aircraft systems by a single remote pilot4 #h4 ,extension of pilot program for integration unmanned aircraft systems into the national airspace system 7a7 ,in general ,section #ccb7;c77#a7 of the ,,faa ,modernization and ,reform ,act of #bjab 7,public ,law #aab-ie2 #di ,u4,s4,c4 #djaja note7 is amended by striking ,september #cj1 #bjai and inserting ,september #cj1 #bjbd4 7b7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated to the ,administrator of the ,federal ,aviation ,administration #ad1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjah through #bjbd to carry out the pilot program under section #ccb7;c7 of the ,,faa ,modernization and ,reform ,act of #bjab 7,public ,law #aab-ie2 #di ,u4,s4,c4 #djaja note71 to be distributed among the test ranges designated under that section for further research and development on the safe integration of unmanned aircraft systems into the national airspace system4 #i4 ,exception for hobbyist-operated small unmanned aircraft 7a7 ,in general ,notwithstanding any other provision of law1 a person may operate an unmanned aircraft without specific operating authority from the ,federal ,aviation ,administration if-- 7#a7 the aircraft is flown strictly for hobby or recreational use2 7#b7 the aircraft is operated in accordance with the safety guidelines of a community-based organization that have been published in a publically accessible format by the ,federal ,aviation ,administration2 7#c7 the aircraft is not flown beyond visual line of sight of the person operating the aircraft or persons colocated with and in direct communication with the person operating the aircraft2 7#d7 the aircraft is operated in a manner that does not interfere with and gives way to any manned aircraft and does not pose undue hazard to any other aircraft1 obstacle1 or person2 7#e7 7,a7 the operator-- 7i7 obtains prior authorization from air traffic control before operating in ,class ,b1 ,class ,c1 or ,class ,d airspace or within the lateral boundaries of the surface area of ,class ,e airspace designated for an airport2 and 7ii7 complies with all temporary and permanent airspace restrictions in place for the furtherance of security and law enforcement interests2 or 7,b7 in the case of an operator conducting operations from a permanent location within such airspace or a community-based organization conducting a sanctioned event at a fixed site within such airspace1 establishes a mutually agreed upon operating procedure with the airport operator and the airport air traffic control tower 7when an air traffic facility is located at the airport72 7#f7 the aircraft is flown from the surface to not more than #djj feet above ground level1 except under special conditions and programs established by a community-based organization2 7#g7 the aircraft is registered and marked in accordance with chapter #dda of title #di1 ,united ,states ,code1 and proof of registration is made available to the ,administrator or a law enforcement agency upon request2 and 7#h7 the operator has completed an online safety course administered by the ,federal ,aviation ,administration for the operation of unmanned aircraft systems under this section1 and proof of completion of the safety course is made available to the ,administrator or a law enforcement agency upon request4 7b7 ,updates 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,administrator1 in collaboration with government and industry stakeholders1 including community-based organizations1 shall initiate a process to periodically update the operational parameters under subsection 7a71 as appropriate4 7#b7 ,considerations ,in updating an operational parameter under paragraph 7#a71 the ,administrator shall consider-- 7,a7 appropriate operational limitations to mitigate aviation safety risk and risk to the uninvolved public2 7,b7 operations outside the membership1 guidelines1 and programming of a community-based organization2 7,c7 physical characteristics1 technical standards1 and classes of aircraft operating under this section2 7,d7 trends in use1 enforcement1 or incidents involving unmanned aircraft systems2 7,e7 ensuring1 to the greatest extent practicable1 that updates to the operational parameters correspond to1 and leverage1 advances in technology2 and 7,f7 equipage requirements that facilitate operations and further integrate all unmanned aircraft systems into the national airspace system1 such as through unmanned aircraft system traffic management and remote identification and tracking4 7#c7 ,rulemaking ,the ,administrator may prescribe regulations for hobbyist-operated small unmanned aircraft based on the process established under paragraph 7#a74 7c7 ,rules of construction ,nothing in this section shall be construed-- 7#a7 to expand the authority of the ,administrator to require operators of small unmanned aircraft operating under an exemption under subsection 7a7 to be required to seek authorization from the ,administrator before conducting an operation in the national airspace system other than as required by subsection 7a72 or 7#b7 to limit the authority of the ,administrator to pursue an enforcement action against persons operating small unmanned aircraft in violation of this section or any other provision of law4 7d7 ,list of community-,based organizations 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,administrator shall maintain on a publicly available ,internet website of the ,federal ,aviation ,administration a list of community-based organizations under which small unmanned aircraft may be operated in accordance with subsection 7a74 7#b7 ,inclusion of organizations ,the ,administrator may include a community-based organization on the list required by paragraph 7#a7 if the organization submits to the ,federal ,aviation ,administration-- 7,a7 a statement that the organization meets the definition of community-based organization under subsection 7e72 and 7,b7 the safety guidelines of the organization4 7#c7 ,removal ,the ,administrator may remove a community-based organization from the list required by paragraph 7#a74 7#d7 ,guidance ,the ,administrator shall publish guidance on the process for including community-based organizations on1 and removing such organizations1 from the list required by paragraph 7#a74 7e7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,community-based organization ,the term community-based organization means an organization that-- 7,a7 represents the aeromodeling and hobby and recreational unmanned aircraft community within the ,united ,states2 7,b7 provides its members a comprehensive set of safety guidelines that underscore safe operations of unmanned aircraft within the national airspace system and the protection and safety of the general public on the ground2 7,c7 develops and maintains mutually supportive programming with educational institutions1 government entities1 and other aviation associations2 and 7,d7 acts as a liaison with government agencies as an advocate for its members4 7#b7 ,small unmanned aircraft ,the term small unmanned aircraft means an unmanned aircraft that-- 7,a7 is capable of sustained flight in the atmosphere2 and 7,b7 weighs less than #ee pounds1 including the weight of anything attached to or carried by the aircraft1 unless otherwise approved through a design1 construction1 inspection1 flight test1 and operational safety program administered by a community-based organization4 7f7 ,conforming repeal ,section #ccf of the ,,faa ,modernization and ,reform ,act of #bjab 7,public ,law #aab-ie2 #di ,u4,s4,c4 #djaja note7 and the item relating to that section in the table of contents for that ,act are repealed4 #aj4 ,ensuring continued development of unmanned aircraft system industry ,not later than #cj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,director of the ,office of ,management and ,budget1 consistent with section #d7;c7 of ,executive ,order #acgga 7#hb ,fed4 ,reg4 #icci2 relating to reducing regulation and controlling regulatory costs71 shall exempt from the definitions of regulation and rule for the purposes of that ,executive order any final action taken by the ,secretary of ,transportation or the ,administrator of the ,federal ,aviation ,administration on or after ,january #cj1 #bjag1 primarily related to unmanned aircraft systems4 #aa4 ,government ,accountability ,office report on cybersecurity and operational concerns ,not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,comptroller ,general of the ,united ,states shall submit to ,congress a report-- 7#a7 describing developments and protections relating to cybersecurity and operational control concerns with respect to unmanned aircraft systems2 7#b7 making recommendations for developments and protections described in paragraph 7#a7 that could better address such concerns2 and 7#c7 making recommendations for clearly defining ,federal jurisdiction and oversight of unmanned aircraft system security matters4