Sec. 338. Study on roles of governments relating to low-altitude operation of small unmanned aircraft
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/bill/115/hr/4/ih/section-338A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Inspector General of the Department of Transportation shall initiate a study on— the regulation and oversight of the low-altitude operations of small unmanned aircraft and small unmanned aircraft systems; and the appropriate roles and responsibilities of Federal, State, local, and Tribal governments in regulating and overseeing the operations of small unmanned aircraft in airspace 400 feet above ground level and below.
In carrying out the study, the Inspector General shall consider, at a minimum— the recommendations of Task Group 1 of the Drone Advisory Committee chartered by the Federal Aviation Administration on August 31, 2016; the legal and policy requirements necessary for the safe and financially viable development and growth of the unmanned aircraft industry; the interests of Federal, State, local, and Tribal governments affected by low-altitude operations of small unmanned aircraft; the existing authorities of Federal, State, local, and Tribal governments to protect the interests referenced in paragraph (3); the degree of regulatory consistency required for the safe and financially viable growth and development of the unmanned aircraft industry; the degree of local variance possible among regulations consistent with the safe and financially viable growth and development of the unmanned aircraft industry; the appropriate roles of State, local, and Tribal governments in regulating the operations of small unmanned aircraft within the lateral boundaries of their jurisdiction in the categories of airspace described in subsection (a)(2); the subjects and types of regulatory authority that should remain with the Federal Government; the infrastructure requirements necessary for monitoring the low-altitude operations of small unmanned aircraft and enforcing applicable laws; the number of small businesses involved in the various sectors of the unmanned aircraft industry and operating as primary users of small unmanned aircraft; and any best practices, lessons learned, or policies of jurisdictions outside the United States relating to local or regional regulation and oversight of small unmanned aircraft and other emergent technologies.
Not later than 180 days after initiating the study, the Inspector General shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report on the results of the study.