First Responders Aerial Act of 2022
Bill: H.R.9058 | Sponsor: Rep. Johnson, Eddie Bernice (D-TX)
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works

Summary:
First Responders Aerial Act of 2022
This bill permits the operation of public actively tethered unmanned aircraft systems in an emergency response situation, including by a fire department, police department, search and rescue organization, and public safety organization.

To amend title 49, United States Code, to permit the operation of 
 actively tethered unmanned aircraft systems by all first responders, 
                        and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``First Responders Aerial Act of 
2022''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITION OF ACTIVELY TETHERED UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS.

    Section 44801(1) of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (B) by striking ``and'' at the end;
            (2) in subparagraph (C) by striking the period at the end 
        and inserting a semicolon; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(D) has redundant flight functionality which 
                permits the unmanned aircraft component to maintain 
                normal flight control in the event that a rotor or 
                flight mechanism fails during flight; and
                    ``(E) is programed to initiate a controlled landing 
                in the event of a tether separation.''.

SEC. 3. OPERATION OF PUBLIC ACTIVELY TETHERED UNMANNED AIRCRAFT 
              SYSTEMS.

    (a) In General.--Section 44806(c) of title 49, United States Code, 
is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1)(B)--
                    (A) in clause (i) by striking ``or'' at the end;
                    (B) in clause (ii) by inserting ``; or'' at the 
                end; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
                            ``(iii) in an emergency response 
                        situation--
                                    ``(I) at least a 0.25 mile radius 
                                away from an airport, if such systems 
                                are not operating in the approach or 
                                departure flight path for a runway at 
                                such airport;
                                    ``(II) at least a 0.5 mile radius 
                                away from an airport, if such systems 
                                are operating in the approach or 
                                departure flight path for a runway at 
                                an airport; or
                                    ``(III) with approval of air 
                                traffic control personnel for an 
                                airport if such systems are operating 
                                closer to an airport than permitted 
                                under subclauses (I) and (II);''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(5) Definitions.--In this subsection:
                    ``(A) Emergency response situation.--The term 
                `emergency response situation' means any situation that 
                requires a response by an emergency service 
                organization.
                    ``(B) Emergency service organization.--The term 
                `emergency service organization' means any entity, 
                including an entity contracting with a State or local 
                government, that provides emergency services or 
                training for emergency service providers, including--
                            ``(i) a fire department;
                            ``(ii) a police department;
                            ``(iii) a search and rescue organization; 
                        and
                            ``(iv) a public safety organization.
                    ``(C) Public actively tethered unmanned aircraft 
                system.--The term `public actively tethered unmanned 
                aircraft system' means an actively tethered unmanned 
                aircraft system that is--
                            ``(i) a public unmanned aircraft system; 
                        and
                            ``(ii) operated by an emergency service 
                        organization.''.
    (b) Agency Guidance.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall issue guidance on the implementation of the 
amendments made by this section.
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