118th Congress Transportation and Public Works
H.R. 3983: Drone Safety and Efficiency Act
Introduced
- Introduced (completed)
- Passed House (not reached)
- Passed Senate (not reached)
- To the President (not reached)
- Became law (not reached)
Summary
This bill directs the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to adopt a performance-based and risk-based approach in reviewing specific waiver requests for the operation of small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), also known as drones. (A small unmanned aircraft weighs less than 55 pounds on takeoff.)
The FAA must improve the current established process to submit small UAS waiver requests. The bill prohibits the FAA from requiring the use of open-ended descriptive prompts that must be filled out by an applicant, with exceptions.
Further, the FAA must leverage data gathered from previous waiver requests. If the FAA determines that a waiver application is substantially similar to a previously approved application, the FAA may streamline approval of the waiver application; the new waiver application and the previously approved application must include substantially similar conditions and limitations.
Read the full summary
In determining whether to issue a waiver certificate, the FAA must (1) consider whether the waiver applicant has control over access to all real property on the ground within the area of the UAS's operation, and (2) account for the safety enhancements of such access.
The FAA must also establish an expedited review process for a request to modify or renew a waiver.
The FAA must publish all issued waivers on the FAA website.
Written by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.
Roll calls
No roll call votes have been held on this bill.
Amendments
No amendments were offered to this bill.
Cosponsors
- Josh Gottheimer D-NJOriginal
- Thomas Kean R-NJOriginal
- Tracey Mann R-KSOriginal
- Robert Menendez D-NJOriginal
- Brandon Williams R-NYOriginal
- Byron Donalds R-FL
- Michael Lawler R-NY
Who scored on this bill
- 1Marcus Molinaro SponsorDrew cross-party cosponsors, introduced2 events+6
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Introductions and cosponsorships count toward weekly caps and show no points.
Other bills by Marcus Molinaro
- H.R. 670: Think Differently Database Act
- H.R. 8689: Amtrak Executive Bonus Disclosure Act
- H.R. 9313: Think Differently About Building Accessibility Act
- H.R. 6249: Think Differently About Emergencies Act
- H.R. 4259: Think Differently about Education Act of 2023
- H.R. 6160: To amend the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize a lifespan respite care program.
History
- Introduced in the House by Marcus Molinaro.
Show the full action history (3 actions)
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.
- Introduced in House
- Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.