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Drone Federalism Act Would Shift Regulation to State and Local Governments

If passed, new drone legislation could put regulation in the hands of state and local governments, with the FAA acting as a liaison. Unsplash
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Key Takeaways:

  • The proposed "Drone Federalism Act" aims to empower state, local, and Native American tribal governments to regulate drone use below 200 feet and within 200 feet of structures to address local safety and privacy concerns.
  • This bipartisan bill comes after a federal appeals court struck down the FAA's national registration requirement for hobbyist drones, potentially leading to a more fragmented regulatory environment.
  • Critics warn that localized drone regulations could severely impact commercial drone businesses and grassroots drone racing, creating complex compliance challenges and hindering industry growth.
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The Wild West of drone regulation as we know it may soon cease to exist. If lawmakers have their way, state and local governments — including Native American tribal authorities — could soon have the power to regulate the use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems as they see fit.

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