49 U.S.C. § 44801: Definitions

weighs 55 pounds or less, including payload but not including the tether; is physically attached to a ground station with a taut, appropriately load-rated tether that provides continuous power to the unmanned aircraft and is unlikely to be separated from the unmanned aircraft; is controlled and retrieved by such ground station through physical manipulation of the tether; is able to maintain safe flight control in the event of a power or flight control failure during flight; and is programmed to initiate a controlled landing in the event of a tether separation. The term “appropriate committees of Congress” means the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives. The term “Arctic” means the United States zone of the Chukchi Sea, Beaufort Sea, and Bering Sea north of the Aleutian chain. The terms “certificate of waiver” and “certificate of authorization” mean a Federal Aviation Administration grant of approval for a specific flight operation. The term “counter-UAS system” means a system or device capable of lawfully and safely disabling, disrupting, or seizing control of an unmanned aircraft or unmanned aircraft system. The term “permanent areas” means areas on land or water that provide for launch, recovery, and operation of small unmanned aircraft. The term “public unmanned aircraft system” means an unmanned aircraft system that meets the qualifications and conditions required for operation of a public aircraft. The term “sense and avoid capability” means the capability of an unmanned aircraft to remain a safe distance from and to avoid collisions with other airborne aircraft, structures on the ground, and other objects. The term “small unmanned aircraft” means an unmanned aircraft weighing less than 55 pounds, including the weight of anything attached to or carried by the aircraft. The term “test range” means a defined geographic area where research and development are conducted as authorized by the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, and includes the test ranges designated by the Administrator under section 44803. The term “unmanned aircraft” means an aircraft that is operated without the possibility of direct human intervention from within or on the aircraft. The term “unmanned aircraft system” means an unmanned aircraft and associated elements (including communication links and the components that control the unmanned aircraft) that are required for the operator to operate safely and efficiently in the national airspace system. The term “UTM” means an unmanned aircraft system traffic management system or service.” Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act [ May 16, 2024 ], the Administrator [of the Federal Aviation Administration] shall publish unmanned aircraft system-specific environmental review guidance and implementation procedures and, thereafter, revise such guidance and procedures as appropriate to carry out the requirements of this section. offset or limit the impacts of non-zero emission activities; offset or limit the release of environmental pollutants to soil or water; or demonstrate other factors that benefit human safety or the environment, as determined by the Administrator. leverage an environmental review for unmanned aircraft operations within a defined geographic region, including within and over commercial sites, industrial sites, or other sites closed or restricted to the public; and leverage an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement for nationwide programmatic approaches for large scale distributed unmanned aircraft operations. The Administrator shall engage in periodic consultations with the Council on Environmental Quality to identify actions that are appropriate for a new categorical exclusion and shall incorporate such actions in FAA [Federal Aviation Administration] Order 1050.1F (or successor order) as considered appropriate by the Administrator to more easily allow for safe commercial operations of unmanned aircraft. The Administrator shall review existing categorical exclusions for applicability to unmanned aircraft operations in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 ( 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and subchapter A of chapter V of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations. Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act [ May 16, 2024 ], the Administrator shall brief the appropriate committees of Congress [Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives] on the plan of the Administrator to implement subsection (a). waive the determination of compliance with part 36 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, for an applicant seeking unmanned aircraft type and airworthiness certifications; and not deny, withhold, or delay such certifications due to the absence of a noise certification basis under such part, if the Administrator has developed appropriate noise measurement procedures for unmanned aircraft and the Administrator has received from the applicant the noise measurement results based on such procedures. The nonapplication of the noise certification requirements under paragraph (1) shall continue until the Administrator finalizes the noise certification requirements for unmanned aircraft in part 36 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, or another part of title 14 of such Code, as required under paragraph (3). Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall develop and establish substantive criteria and standard metrics to determine whether to approve an unmanned aircraft pursuant to part 36 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations. In establishing the substantive criteria and standard metrics under subparagraph (A), the Administrator shall include criteria and metrics related to the noise impacts of an unmanned aircraft. The Administrator shall publish in the Federal Register and post on the website of the FAA the criteria and metrics established under subparagraph (A). If the Administrator determines that the design, construction, maintenance and operational sustainability, airworthiness approval, or operational approval of an unmanned aircraft require environmental assessments, including under the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 ( 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), the Administrator shall, to the maximum extent practicable, conduct such reviews and analyses concurrently. In implementing subsection (a), the Administrator shall allow for the engagement of approved specialized third parties, as appropriate, to support an applicant’s preparation of, or the Administration’s preparation and review of, documentation relating to the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 ( 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) to ensure streamlined timelines for complex reviews. Nothing in this section shall be construed as prohibiting, restricting, or otherwise limiting the authority of the Administrator from implementing or complying with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 ( 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and any related requirements to ensure the protection of the environment and aviation safety.” Not later than 1 year after the termination of the Advanced Aviation Advisory Committee pursuant to section 915 [ 138 Stat. 1351 ], the Administrator [of the Federal Aviation Administration] shall establish an Unmanned and Autonomous Flight Advisory Committee (in this section referred to as the ‘Advisory Committee’). the certification and operational standards of highly automated aircraft, unmanned aircraft, and associated elements of such aircraft; coordination of procedures for operations in controlled and uncontrolled airspace; and communication protocols. The use cases of unmanned aircraft systems, including evaluating and assessing the potential benefits of using unmanned aircraft systems. The development of processes and methodologies to address safety concerns related to the operation of unmanned aircraft systems, including risk assessments and mitigation strategies. Unmanned aircraft system training, education, and workforce development programs, including evaluating aeronautical knowledge gaps in the unmanned aircraft system workforce, assessing the workforce needs of unmanned aircraft system operations, and establishing a strong pipeline to ensure a robust unmanned aircraft system workforce. The analysis of unmanned aircraft system data and trends. Unmanned aircraft system infrastructure, including the use of existing aviation infrastructure and the development of necessary infrastructure. The Advisory Committee shall be composed of not more than 12 members. Commercial operators of unmanned aircraft systems. Unmanned aircraft system manufacturers. Counter-UAS manufacturers. FAA [Federal Aviation Administration]-approved unmanned aircraft system service suppliers. Unmanned aircraft system test ranges under section 44803 of title 49 , United States Code. An unmanned aircraft system physical infrastructure network provider. Community advocates. Certified labor organizations representing commercial airline pilots, air traffic control specialists employed by the Administration, certified aircraft maintenance technicians, certified aircraft dispatchers, or aviation safety inspectors. Academia or a relevant research organization. The Administrator may invite appropriate representatives of other Federal agencies to observe or provide input on the work of the Advisory Committee, but shall not allow such representatives to participate in any decision-making of the Advisory Committee. The Advisory Committee shall submit to the Administrator an annual report of the activities, findings, and recommendations of the Committee. The Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress [Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives] the reports required under paragraph (1). The Administrator may not task the Advisory Committee established under this section with a review or the development of recommendations relating to operations conducted under part 121 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations.” under waivers issued to part 107 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations; pursuant to section 44807 of title 49 , United States Code; or pursuant to other applicable regulations, as appropriate. In establishing the risk assessment methodology under this section, the Administrator shall ensure alignment with the considerations included in the order issued by the FAA [Federal Aviation Administration] titled ‘UAS Safety Risk Management Policy’ (FAA Order 8040.6A), and any subsequent amendments to such order, as the Administrator considers appropriate. The Administrator shall make the risk assessment methodology established under this section available to the public on an appropriate website of the Administration and update such methodology as necessary.” Notwithstanding any other Federal requirement or restriction related to the transportation of hazardous materials on aircraft, the Secretary [of Transportation] shall, beginning not later than 180 days after enactment of this section [ May 16, 2024 ], use a risk-based approach to establish the operational requirements, standards, or special permits necessary to approve or authorize an air carrier to transport hazardous materials by unmanned aircraft systems providing common carriage under part 135 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, or under successor authorities, as applicable, based on the weight, amount, and type of hazardous material being transported and the characteristics of the operations subject to such requirements, standards, or special purposes. the safety of the public and users of the national airspace system; efficiencies of allowing the safe transportation of hazardous materials by unmanned aircraft systems and whether such transportation complies with the hazardous materials regulations under subchapter C of chapter I of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, including any changes to such regulations issued pursuant to this section; the risk profile of the transportation of hazardous materials by unmanned aircraft systems, taking into consideration the risk associated with differing weights, quantities, and packing group classifications of hazardous materials; mitigations to the risk of the hazardous materials being transported, based on the weight, amount, and type of materials being transported and the characteristics of the operation, including operational and aircraft-based mitigations; and the altitude at which unmanned aircraft operations are conducted. The Secretary may require unmanned aircraft systems operators to submit a safety risk assessment acceptable to the Administrator [of the Federal Aviation Administration], as part of the operator certification process, in order for such operators to perform the carriage of hazardous materials as authorized under this section. The Secretary shall make such changes as are necessary to conform the hazardous materials regulations under parts 173 and 175 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, to this section. Such changes shall be made concurrently with the activities described in subsection (a). Not later than 180 days of the date of enactment of this Act [ May 16, 2024 ], the Secretary shall hold a public meeting to obtain input on changes necessary to implement this section. periodically review, as necessary, amounts of hazardous materials allowed to be carried by unmanned aircraft systems pursuant to this section; and determine whether such amounts should be revised, based on operational and safety data, without negatively impacting overall aviation safety. limit the authority of the Secretary, the Administrator, or the Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration from implementing requirements to ensure the safe carriage of hazardous materials by aircraft; and confer upon the Administrator the authorities of the Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration under part 175 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, and chapter 51 of title 49, United States Code. In this section, the term ‘hazardous materials’ has the meaning given such term in section 5102 of title 49 , United States Code.” To the extent permitted by treaty obligations of the United States, including the Convention on International Civil Aviation (in this section referred to as ‘ICAO’), the Administrator [of the Federal Aviation Administration] shall work with other civil aviation authorities to establish and implement operational approval processes to permit unmanned aircraft systems to operate over the high seas within flight information regions for which the United States is responsible for operational control. In establishing and implementing the operational approval process under subsection (a), the Administrator shall consult with appropriate stakeholders, including industry stakeholders. Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act [ May 16, 2024 ], the Administrator shall engage ICAO through the submission of a working paper, panel proposal, or other appropriate mechanism to clarify the permissibility of unmanned aircraft systems to operate over the high seas. Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall review whether, and to what extent, ICAO member states are approving the operation of unmanned aircraft systems over the high seas and brief the appropriate committees of Congress [Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives] regarding the findings of such review.” for the operation, procurement, or contracting action with respect to a covered unmanned aircraft system; or to an entity that operates (as determined by the Administrator [of the Federal Aviation Administration]) a covered unmanned aircraft system in the performance of such contract; issuing a grant to a covered foreign entity for any project related to covered unmanned aircraft systems; and operating a covered unmanned aircraft system. under the Alliance for System Safety of UAS through Research Excellence Center of Excellence of the FAA [Federal Aviation Administration]; or by the unmanned aircraft system test ranges designated under section 44803 of title 49 , United States Code; the safe, secure, or efficient operation of the national airspace system or maintenance of public safety; the safe integration of advanced aviation technologies into the national airspace system, including activities carried out under the Alliance for System Safety of UAS through Research Excellence Center of Excellence of the FAA; in coordination with other relevant Federal agencies, determining security threats of covered unmanned aircraft systems; and intelligence, electronic warfare, and information warfare operations. The Secretary may waive any restrictions under subsection (a) on a case-by-case basis by notifying the appropriate committees of Congress [Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives] in writing, not later than 15 days after waiving such restrictions, that the procurement or other activity is in the public interest. The Secretary shall take such actions as are necessary to replace any covered unmanned aircraft system that is owned or operated by the Department of Transportation as of the date of enactment of this Act [ May 16, 2024 ] with an unmanned aircraft system manufactured in the United States or an allied country (as such term is defined in section 2350f(d)(1) of title 10 , United States Code) if the capabilities of such covered unmanned aircraft system are consequential to the work of the Department or the mission of the Department. There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary $5,000,000 to carry out this subsection. The prohibitions under paragraphs (1) and (3) of subsection (a) shall be in effect on the date of enactment of this Act. not apply to grants awarded before the date of enactment of this Act; and apply to grants awarded after the date of enactment of this Act. aviation research grant programs; aviation workforce development programs established under section 625 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 [ Pub. L. 115–254 ] ( 49 U.S.C. 40101 note); FAA Air Transportation Centers of Excellence; programs established under sections 631 and 632 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 ( 49 U.S.C. 40101 note); and the airport improvement program under subchapter I of chapter 471 of title 49, United States Code. Nothing in this section shall prevent a State, local, Tribal, or territorial governmental agency from procuring or operating a covered unmanned aircraft system purchased with non-Federal funding. The People’s Republic of China. The Russian Federation. The Islamic Republic of Iran. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. The Republic of Cuba. Any other country the Secretary determines necessary. an entity included on the list developed and maintained by the Federal Acquisition Security Council and published in the System for Award Management; an entity included on the Consolidated Screening List or Entity List as designated by the Secretary of Commerce; an entity that is domiciled in, or under the influence or control of, a covered foreign country; or an entity that is a subsidiary or affiliate of an entity described under subparagraphs (A) through (C). a small unmanned aircraft, an unmanned aircraft, and unmanned aircraft system, or the associated elements of such aircraft and aircraft systems related to the collection and transmission of sensitive information (consisting of communication links and the components that control the unmanned aircraft) that enable the operator to operate the aircraft in the National Airspace System which is manufactured or assembled by a covered foreign entity; and an unmanned aircraft detection system or counter-UAS system that is manufactured or assembled by a covered foreign entity.” how to identify and respond to public safety threats posed by unmanned aircraft systems; and how to identify and take advantage of opportunities to use unmanned aircraft systems to enhance the effectiveness of local law enforcement agencies and first responders. to respond to public safety threats posed by unmanned aircraft systems; and to identify and take advantage of opportunities to use unmanned aircraft systems to enhance the effectiveness of local law enforcement agencies and public safety response efforts. In this section, the term ‘unmanned aircraft system’ has the meaning given that term in section 44801 of title 49 , United States Code, as added by this Act.” A violation of a privacy policy by a person that uses an unmanned aircraft system for compensation or hire, or in the furtherance of a business enterprise, in the national airspace system shall be an unfair and deceptive practice in violation of section 5(a) of the Federal Trade Commission Act ( 15 U.S.C. 45(a) ). In this section, the terms ‘unmanned aircraft’ and ‘unmanned aircraft system’ have the meanings given those terms in section 44801 of title 49 , United States Code.” Any certificate of waiver or authorization issued by the Administration to Federal, State, tribal or local governments for the operation of unmanned aircraft systems within 30 days of issuance of such certificate of waiver or authorization. A spreadsheet of UAS registrations, including the city, state [probably should be “State”], and zip code of each registered drone owner, on its website that is updated once per quarter each calendar year. Summary descriptions and general purposes of public unmanned aircraft operations, including the locations where such unmanned aircraft may generally operate. Summary descriptions of common civil unmanned aircraft operations. The expiration date of any authorization of public or civil unmanned aircraft operations. Links to websites of State agencies that enforce any applicable privacy laws. the circumstance under which the system will be used; the specific kinds of personally identifiable information that the system will collect about individuals; and how the collection or retention of such information that is unrelated to the specific use will be minimized; under what circumstances such information might be sold, leased, or otherwise provided to third parties; the period during which such information will be retained; when and how such information, including information no longer relevant to the specified use, will be destroyed; and steps that will be used to protect against the unauthorized disclosure of any information or data, such as the use of encryption methods and other security features. the locations where the unmanned aircraft system will operate; the time during which the unmanned aircraft system will operate; the general purpose of the flight; and the technical capabilities that the unmanned aircraft system possesses. is not applicable; is not practicable, including when the information is not available to the Administrator; is not in compliance with applicable law; would compromise national defense, homeland security or law enforcement activity; would be withheld pursuant to an exception of the [sic] section 552 of title 5 , United States Code (commonly known as the ‘Freedom of Information Act’); or is otherwise contrary to the public interest. the date of publication of a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking or guidance regarding remote identification standards under section 2202 of the FAA Extension, Safety, and Security Act of 2016 ( Public Law 114–190 ; 130 Stat. 615 [629]) [ 49 U.S.C. 44802 note]; or September 30, 2023 .”