Sec. 620. Drone infrastructure inspection grant program
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Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall establish a drone infrastructure inspection grant program to make grants to governmental entities to facilitate the use of eligible small unmanned aircraft systems to support more efficient inspection, operation, construction, maintenance, modernization, and repair of critical infrastructure to improve worker safety related to critical infrastructure projects. A governmental entity may use a grant provided under this section to— purchase or lease eligible small unmanned aircraft systems; support operational capabilities of eligible small unmanned aircraft systems by the governmental entity; contract for services performed using an eligible small unmanned aircraft system in circumstances in which the governmental entity does not have the resources or expertise to safely carry out or assist in carrying out the activities described under subsection (a); and support the program management capability of the governmental entity to use an eligible small unmanned aircraft system.
To be eligible to receive a grant under this section, a governmental entity shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such form, and containing such information as the Secretary may require, including an assurance that the governmental entity or any contractor of the governmental entity, will comply with relevant Federal regulations. In awarding a grant under this section, the Secretary shall prioritize applications that propose to— carry out a critical infrastructure project in a variety of communities, including urban, suburban, rural, tribal, or any other type of community; and address a safety risk in the inspection, operation, construction, maintenance, or repair of critical infrastructure.
Nothing in this section shall be construed as to interfere with an agreement between a governmental entity and a labor union, including requirements under section 5333(b) of title 49, United States Code. Not later than 1 year after the first grant is provided under this section, the Secretary 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 that evaluates the program carried out under this section, including— a description of the number of grants awarded; the amount of each grant; the activities funded under this section; and the effectiveness of such funded activities in meeting the objectives described in subsection (a).
Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the Federal share of the cost of a project carried out using a grant under this section shall not exceed 50 percent of the total project cost. The Secretary may increase the Federal share requirement under subparagraph
(A)to up to 75 percent for a project carried out using a grant under this section by a governmental entity if such entity— submits a written application to the Secretary requesting an increase in the Federal share; and demonstrates that the additional assistance is necessary to facilitate the acceptance and full use of a grant under this section, such as alleviating economic hardship, meeting additional workforce needs, or such other uses that the Secretary determines to be appropriate. Out of amounts authorized to be appropriated under section 106(k) of title 49, United States Code, the Secretary shall make available to carry out this section— $2,000,000 for fiscal year 2024; $12,000,000 for fiscal year 2025; $12,000,000 for fiscal year 2026; $12,000,000 for fiscal year 2027; and $12,000,000 for fiscal year 2028. In this section: The term covered foreign entity means an entity— included on the Consolidated Screening List or Entity List as designated by the Secretary of Commerce; domiciled in the People’s Republic of China or the Russian Federation; subject to influence or control by the government of the People’s Republic of China or by the Russian Federation; or is a subsidiary or affiliate of an entity described in subparagraphs
(A)through (C). The term critical infrastructure has the meaning given such term in subsection
(e)of the Critical Infrastructures Protection Act of 2001 ( 42 U.S.C. 5195c(e) ). The term element of critical infrastructure means a critical infrastructure facility or asset, including public bridges, tunnels, roads, highways, dams, electric grid, water infrastructure, communication systems, pipelines, or other related facilities or assets, as determined by the Secretary. The term eligible small unmanned aircraft system means a small unmanned aircraft system manufactured or assembled by a company that is domiciled in the United States and is not a covered foreign entity. The term eligible small unmanned aircraft system technology means— an eligible small unmanned aircraft system; or a major component of such a system that is not manufactured by or procured from a covered foreign entity. The term governmental entity means— a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, a territory of the United States, or a political subdivision thereof; a unit of local government; a Tribal Government; a metropolitan planning organization; or a consortia of more than 1 of the entities described in subparagraphs
(A)through (D). The term project means a project for the inspection, operation, maintenance, repair, modernization, or construction of an element of critical infrastructure, including mitigating environmental hazards to such infrastructure. The terms small unmanned aircraft and unmanned aircraft system have the meanings given such terms in section 44801 of title 49, United States Code.
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Sec. 620
Drone infrastructure inspection grant program
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