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.
Drone Federalism Act Would Shift Regulation to State and Local Governments
Key Takeaways:
- The proposed "Drone Federalism Act" seeks to grant state, local, and tribal governments the authority to regulate drone operations below 200 feet and within 200 feet of structures.
- This legislation aims to allow communities to set their own rules, such as local no-drone zones or low-altitude speed limits, to address public safety and privacy concerns.
- Critics argue that fragmented local regulations could significantly harm commercial drone businesses and grassroots drone racing leagues, impeding industry growth.
- The bill also proposes FAA-led pilot programs where 10 local governments would craft regulations over two years, to develop best practices for federal-local cooperation.
Key takeaways sponsored by Aviator Pro | Start Your Training ->
See a mistake? Contact us.
