ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Fifty-fourth Legislature

Second Regular Session

 

HB 2498: unmanned aircraft study committee

Sponsor:  Representative Weninger, LD 17

Committee on Commerce

Overview

Establishes the five-member Unmanned Aircraft Study Committee (Committee).

History

Current law states it is unlawful for a person to operate a model aircraft or a civil unmanned aircraft if the operation: 1) is prohibited by a federal law or regulation that governs aeronautics, including federal aviation administration regulations; or 2) interferes with a law enforcement, firefighter or emergency services operation. A person guilty for the unlawful operation is subject to a class 1 misdemeanor.

Furthermore, it is unlawful for a person to operate or use an unmanned aircraft or unmanned aircraft system to intentionally photograph or loiter over or near a critical facility in the furtherance of any criminal offense. A person found guilty for the unlawful operation or use is subject to a class 6 felony (A.R.S. § 13-3729).

Unmanned aircraft is defined as an aircraft, including an aircraft commonly known as a drone, that is operated without the possibility of direct human intervention from within or on the aircraft (A.R.S. § 13-3729).

Provisions

1.    Establishes the Committee which consists of the following five members of the House of Representatives, who are appointed by the Speaker:

a)    ☐ Prop 105 (45 votes) ☐ Prop 108 (40 votes) ☐ Emergency (40 votes) ☐ Fiscal NoteThree members from the political party that is in the majority; and

b)    Two members from the political party that is in the minority. (Sec. 1)

2.    Requires the Speaker of the House of Representatives to designate one of the members as the chairperson of the Committee. (Sec. 1)

3.    Instructs the Committee to:

a)    Meet as often as the chairperson deems necessary;

b)    Identify and study the beneficial uses of unmanned aircraft;

c)    Examine the economic opportunities for the use of unmanned aircraft;

d)    Review actions taken by the federal government regarding the regulation of the general operation of unmanned aircraft for commercial use; and

e)    Submit a report regarding the Committee's findings and recommendations by December 31, 2020 to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and to provide a copy of the report to the Secretary of State. (Sec. 1)  

4.    Terminates the Committee October 1, 2021. (Sec. 1)

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8.    Initials PRB/ML                 Commerce

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