Would Allow Local Agencies To Enforce 'Safe Operation' Of UAVs

Legislation introduced Wednesday before the San Diego City Council's Public Safety and Livable Neighborhoods Committee would give local agencies the authority to enforce "safe operation of drone aircraft" in the city.

The legislation was crafted by a working group formed in 2015 after an incident where an "unmanned aerial vehicle" was reported flying near a commercial airliner at Lindbergh Field.

The city says in its background information accompanying the legislation that the city's proposed drone law "mirrors FAA rules and regulations, and leverages local agency authority to allow for local enforcement. This addition is proposed to Chapter V, Division 2, as the Chapter pertains to police powers and prohibitions, including vehicle policies."

The policy includes the following regulations for unmanned aircraft system operations:

• Unmanned aircraft systems cannot be operated in a careless or reckless manner, as defined by federal statutes
• Unmanned aircraft systems cannot be operated in violation of any flight restriction issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (pursuant to 14 C.F.R. 91)
• Unmanned aircraft systems cannot be operated in violation of any restriction issued by the Federal Aviation Administration applicable to unmanned aircraft systems
• Unmanned aircraft systems cannot be operated in a manner that interferes with law enforcement, firefighter, or any other emergency rescue operations
• Violations of this article may be prosecuted as provided in Municipal Code section 12.0201 (misdemeanors)

The city says the UAS Working Group conducted a thorough review of existing legislation and regulations, including the FAA Modernization Reform Act of 2012, California Assembly Bill 856, and ordinances approved in Berkeley, CA; Poway, CA; Los Angeles; CA; Miami, FL; Chicago, IL, and Pittsburgh, PA. Additionally, the UAS Working Group reviewed bills in the State Legislature under discussion, as well as pending legislation from other local agencies.

(Image from file)

FMI: http://docs.sandiego.gov/councilcomm_agendas_attach/2017/psln_170208_4.pdf