First Responders Aerial Act of 2023

Bill: 118-hr-1192
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Nehls, Troy E. [R-TX-22]
Introduced: 2023-02-24
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Latest action: action_date: 2023-02-27
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.

Summaries:
action_date: 2023-02-24
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><b>First Responders Aerial Act of 202</b><b>3</b></p> <p>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.</p>

tv_txt: I 118th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 1192 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES February 24, 2023 Mr. Nehls (for himself, Mr. Stanton , and Mr. Williams of New York ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure A BILL 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.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the First Responders Aerial Act of 2023 . 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. . 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.