Bill Sponsor
House Bill 3969
118th Congress(2023-2024)
To provide for a rulemaking on operation of unmanned aircraft beyond visual line of sight, and for other purposes.
Introduced
Introduced
Introduced in House on Jun 9, 2023
Overview
Text
Introduced
Jun 9, 2023
Latest Action
Jun 12, 2023
Origin Chamber
House
Type
Bill
Bill
The primary form of legislative measure used to propose law. Depending on the chamber of origin, bills begin with a designation of either H.R. or S. Joint resolution is another form of legislative measure used to propose law.
Bill Number
3969
Congress
118
Policy Area
Transportation and Public Works
Transportation and Public Works
Primary focus of measure is all aspects of transportation modes and conveyances, including funding and safety matters; Coast Guard; infrastructure development; travel and tourism. Measures concerning water resources and navigation projects may fall under Water Resources Development policy area.
Sponsorship by Party
Republican
Louisiana
House Votes (0)
Senate Votes (0)
No House votes have been held for this bill.
Summary

This bill requires the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to issue rules to update the airworthiness and operating requirements for unmanned aircraft, also known as drones, operating beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) and intended to operate primarily at or below 400 feet above ground level.

Specifically, the FAA must

  • establish a means to accept certain proposed standards (e.g., airworthiness standards for unmanned aircraft),
  • enable the ability to operate unmanned aircraft for agricultural purposes,
  • establish a process by which the FAA may approve or accept third-party compliance services,
  • establish protocols for a networked information exchange, and
  • establish qualifications and standards for remote pilots operating an unmanned aircraft system (UAS).

The bill also transfers to the FAA from the Department of Transportation special authority to use a risk-based approach to determine how UAS may operate safely in the national airspace system. The FAA must use this process to authorize BVLOS UAS operations until it publishes the final rules required under this bill. The FAA must also establish requirements, or a process to accept proposed requirements, for the safe operation of UAS, including for the testing and evaluation of proprietary systems.

Further, a UAS operation conducted exclusively within Mode C veil airspace (the airspace within 30 nautical miles of certain airports, from the surface upward to 10,000 feet mean sea level) and that employs specific mitigation measures must be treated as satisfying certain safe operation requirements.

Text (1)
Actions (3)
06/12/2023
Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.
06/09/2023
Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
06/09/2023
Introduced in House
Public Record
Record Updated
Jul 15, 2024 2:04:35 PM