House Engrossed

State of Arizona House of Representatives Fifty-first Legislature First Regular Session 2013

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 2009

 

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

 

supporting the selection of Arizona as one or more national test ranges for the operation of unmanned aircraft systems in shared national airspace.

 

 

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

 

Whereas, the State of Arizona has a tremendous history of directly contributing to the national security and defense of the United States of America; and

Whereas, the State of Arizona greatly appreciates the dedicated and selfless service of the men and women assigned to Fort Huachuca, Luke Air Force Base, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, the Yuma Proving Ground, the Barry M. Goldwater Range complex and auxiliary fields, and the Reserve and National Guard units across the state; and

Whereas, the State of Arizona's military operations have attracted aerospace, defense and national security industry to the state and have led to increased technological advances and important supporting relationships with universities, research laboratories and technical colleges; and

Whereas, national security and defense sectors are increasingly important to this state's economy as they create and support 190,000 jobs and generate more than $18 billion in revenue; and

Whereas, the economic impact of military operations would not have been possible without the past and continuing congressional and state leadership support; and

Whereas, our military investments, military expertise, technically trained workforce and geographic and climate diversity has positioned the State of Arizona well in retaining its military operations and competing for next-generation technology projects; and

Whereas, remotely piloted vehicles, cyberspace and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance mission areas will be high priority areas of defense and national security budgets; and

Whereas, civilian application of remotely piloted vehicles and unmanned aircraft systems is an emerging arena for business opportunities and significant job growth.

Therefore

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of Arizona, the Senate concurring:

1.  That, as military spending continues to be downsized in the foreseeable future, the State of Arizona must look to find ways to sustain and expand its direct support to the national security and defense sectors.

2.  That the State of Arizona should specifically leverage its congressional and state leadership, current military expertise, technical workforce and geographic and climate diversity to provide a concerted effort to aggressively pursue the high priority requirements of the United States Department of Defense.

3.  That the State of Arizona should compete for and be selected as one or more of the six national test ranges under the 2012 National Defense Authorization Act, an act that directs the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in coordination with the United States Department of Defense and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to determine how to safely operate unmanned aircraft systems in shared national airspace, while simultaneously ensuring respect and regard for the individual privacy rights of those in the vicinity of unmanned aerial testing.

4.  That, should the FAA continue to delay the process to select the six national test ranges, the State of Arizona, with the Arizona Commerce Authority as lead, should pursue Certificates of Authorization from the FAA to begin range operations during 2013.

5.  That a Federal Aviation Administration national test range based in the State of Arizona will attract additional research, development and operations of unmanned aerial systems supporting national security, defense and civil aviation, thereby creating increased enduring economic impact and jobs for the State of Arizona.

6.  That the creation of these test ranges will mark the first step in what will undoubtedly be a long‑range process, leading to a common-day occurrence in which manned and unmanned aircraft fly safely and seamlessly together in the national airspace.