Would Establish A Regulatory Framework For Drones Based On The Principles Of Local Governance And Cooperative Federalism

Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) introduced the Drone Integration and Zoning Act Wednesday, a bill to establish a regulatory framework for drones based on the principles of local governance and cooperative federalism.

“The FAA cannot feasibly or efficiently oversee millions of drones in every locality throughout the country,” Sen. Lee said. “The reason that the states have sovereign police powers to protect the property of their citizens is because issues of land use, privacy, trespass, and law enforcement make sense at the state and local level. The best way to ensure public safety and allow this innovative industry to thrive is to empower the people closest to the ground to make local decisions in real time and that is exactly what the Drone Integration and Zoning Act does.”

The bill specifics that the Administrator shall ensure that the authority of a State, local, or Tribal government to issue reasonable restrictions on the time, manner, and place of operation of a civil  unmanned aircraft system that is operated below 200 feet above ground level is not preempted.

According to the bill text, reasonable restrictions on the time, manner, and place of operation of a civil unmanned aircraft system include the following:

• (A) Specifying limitations on speed of flight over specified areas.
• (B) Prohibitions or limitations on operations in the vicinity of schools, parks, roadways, bridges, moving locations, or other public or private property.
• (C) Restrictions on operations at certain times of the day or week or on specific occasions such as parades or sporting  events, including sporting events that do not remain in one location.
• (D) Prohibitions on careless or reckless operations, including operations while the operator is under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• (E) Other prohibitions that protect public safety, personal privacy, or property rights, or that manage land use or restrict noise pollution.

In 2017, Senator Lee sponsored a similar bill called The 2017 Drone Federalism Act. That legislation never left its committee.

(Source: Senator Lee news release. Image from file)

FMI: Bill Text