2023 FAA REAUTHORIZATION
By Tyler Dobbs, Senior Director of Government Affairs | tylerd@modelaircraft.org
WITH MIDTERM ELECTIONS behind us, work will now begin with the 118th Congress on the 2023 FAA Reauthorization. This newest authorization will be comparable with that of 2012 and 2018 and will include important legislative changes related to UAS integration and our current recreational and educational operations.
AMA has been working with the FAA on a daily basis to implement the requirements outlined in 2018 and looks forward to the opportunity to work with Congress on issues and obstacles facing our hobby. As we move into 2023, members should expect increased communications regarding this issue, and AMA might even encourage members to engage with their senators and representatives on specific issues. Rest assured that AMA will continue to advocate on behalf of our membership and will provide updates throughout the legislative process.
To remain current with the most recent government-related news, regularly visit the AMA Government Affairs blog at https://amablog.modelaircraft.org/amagov. If you have any further questions or concerns, contact the Government Affairs department at (765) 287-1256 or amagov@modelaircraft.org.
HR 5315: Drone Infrastructure Inspection Grant Act
The House of Representatives recently passed HR 5315, the Drone Infrastructure Inspection Grant Act. The bill passed out of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in May with a 54-4 vote before being sent to a full House vote on September 14, 2022. At the time of this writing, it was not clear whether the Senate would vote on a similar bill this year or whether it would be incorporated into FAA Reauthorization in 2023.
If the Drone Infrastructure Inspection Grant Act becomes law, it could provide many educational opportunities for youth who are looking to make a career in UAS or related technologies.
Summary of HR 5315
This bill establishes programs within the Department of Transportation (DOT) to support the use of drones and other small, uncrewed aircraft systems when inspecting, repairing, or constructing road infrastructure, electric grid infrastructure, water infrastructure, or other critical infrastructure.
Specifically, the DOT must award grants to state, tribal, and local governments; metropolitan planning organizations; or regional groups of those entities to purchase or otherwise use drones to increase efficiency, reduce costs, improve worker safety, and reduce carbon emissions when carrying out inspections, repairs, and construction. Grant recipients must use domestically manufactured drones that are made by companies not subject to Chinese influence or control.
The DOT must also award grants to certain institutions of higher education for training students for careers using drones and related technologies.
