119th Congress Transportation and Public Works
H.R. 6460: Recreational Drone Empowerment Act
Passed House
- Introduced (completed)
- Passed House (completed)
- Passed Senate (not reached)
- To the President (not reached)
- Became law (not reached)
Summary
This bill expands the areas in which recreational unmanned aircraft systems (i.e., drones) are authorized to fly.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has various classifications for airspace, including Class E airspace, which is controlled airspace that is comprised of multiple sectors (e.g., Classes E1 to E5). Class E airspace includes sectors that (1) generally begin where Class G airspace (i.e., uncontrolled airspace) ends, and (2) are associated with an airport surface area or a surface level extension to another class of airspace.
Under current law, recreational drones may generally operate in certain circumstances from a fixed site, including within Class B, C, or D airspace. They may also operate within Class G airspace (1) up to 400 feet above ground level, without prior FAA authorization; and (2) over 400 feet above ground level with prior FAA authorization.
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The FAA has interpreted current law to allow recreational drone operations in Class E2 airspace designated for an airport and prohibit recreational drone operations in other Class E sectors.
The bill specifies that the FAA may authorize recreational drones to operate at fixed site locations in Class E airspace that is
- above Class G airspace; or
- designated as an extension to a Class B, C, D, or E surface area.
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
- Sharice Davids D-KSOriginal
Who scored on this bill
- 1Tracey Mann SponsorDrew cross-party cosponsors, introduced, marked up, reported, passed House5 events+68
- 2Sharice DavidsCosponsored; cosponsored bill passed2 events+4
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Introductions and cosponsorships count toward weekly caps and show no points.
Other bills by Tracey Mann
- H.R. 2332: SHARE Act of 2026
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- H.J.Res. 29: Disapproval of United States Fish and Wildlife Service rule: Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Lesser Prairie-Chicken; Threatened Status With Section 4(d) Rule for the Northern Distinct Population Segment and Endangered Status for the Southern Distinct Population Segment
History
- Passed the House by voice vote.
- Introduced in the House by Tracey Mann.
Show the full action history (15 actions)
- Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- Mr. Taylor moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
- Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2659-2660)
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6460.
- Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2659)
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Reported by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 119-549.
- Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 472.
- Subcommittee on Aviation Discharged
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.
- Introduced in House
- Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.