Property Drone Consortium Announces Opposition to Drone Federalism Act of 2017
COLULMBIA, S.C. — The Property Drone Consortium (PDC) announced its opposition to The Drone Federalism Act of 2017, introduced by Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Tom Cotton (R-Ark.).
The Drone Federalism Act of 2017 would give state and local governments much greater authority to regulate the use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) than exists today. For example, the bill would grant state and local governments the right to issue a broad array of restrictions on the use of UAS below 200 feet above ground level, or within 200 feet of a structure. Such restrictions could include limitations on speed, times and days of use as well as prohibiting certain flight operations. In addition, the bill would require the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to prohibit UAS operations below 200 feet above ground level without the property owner’s permission.