The new proposed FAA Reauthorization package has been made public. It’s wordy, complex, and confusing – and the headlines haven’t made understanding what’s inside easier. There are several points of critical importance for the drone industry to understand. The proposed Repeal of Section 336, the Integration Pilot Program, the “Safeguarding the Skies” Act, the enforcement of drone laws and the timeline for drone integration are all addressed in the bill.
Without expressing an opinion on the proposed regulation, this series of short articles will provide a plain English explanation of each of these issues as written in the bill. This explanation is for educational purposes and is not to be construed as legal advice.
A vote on HR 302 may happen as early as today (October 3) but the current extension expires no later than October 7. For more information on the bill, see Part 1 (Repeal of Section 336), Part 2 (Enforcement), and Part 3 (Privacy) of this series.
…Security (DHS) free rein to shoot down civilian drones that they deem to be a “credible threat.” Of course, this bill vaguely defines “credible threat” and allows the government to intercept photo, video, or any other data on the drone. This opens the door to sweeping new surveillance authority for the U.S. government, circumventing the Fourth Amendment. This section of the bill does not pass the constitutional test, and should be rejected by any member seeking to honor his or her oath to support and defend the Constitution.
Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry. Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.
For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.
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[…] There are new requirements for tracking and ID, privacy reporting, and enforcement. The “Preventing Emerging Threats Act” is also embedded in H.R. 302. Unmanned Traffic Management and drone integration into the NAS […]