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S. 2730 — what changed

Drone Advisory Committee for the 21st Century Act

From Reported in Senate to Engrossed in Senate. 2 sections amended between Reported in Senate and Engrossed in Senate.

Sec. 2 Sense of congress

changed Congress finds It is the following:Sense of Congress that:

(1)
changed In 2016, a Drone Advisory Committee (in this section referred Due to the ever-increasing use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems in the agriculture, forestry, and rangeland sectors, as well as the “DAC”) was inherently different uses in less populated parts of the nation, membership of the Drone Advisory Committee established at by the Federal Aviation Administration (in this Act referred to as the “FAA”) as a broad-based, long-term Federal advisory committee should, to provide the FAA with advice on key unmanned aircraft systems (in this Act referred to as “UAS”) integration issues by helping to identify challenges extent practicable, include direct representatives from county and prioritize improvements.tribal government, agriculture, forestry, and rangeland interests.
(2)
changed Pursuant Full transparency in the work of the Drone Advisory Committee is vital to FAA Order 1110.157, dated June 15, 2018, ensuring the DAC public can effectively participate and contribute to the development of sound Federal policies. The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration should, to the maximum extent practicable, ensure the work of the Drone Advisory Committee is charged shared with helping create broad support for an overall UAS integration strategy and vision.easily accessible to the public and shall ensure transparency and openness in the manner in which the affairs of the Committee are conducted.
(3)
removed As of the date of introduction of this legislation, no direct representatives from rural America or the agriculture, forestry, or rangeland sectors were members of the DAC.
(4)
removed According to the FAA’s 2019 market forecast, the market for UAS is growing faster than anticipated.
(5)
removed The agricultural drone market has an estimated value in the realm of $250,000,000 and is predicted to grow substantially.
(6)
removed Recent studies have suggested as many as three out of every four farmers in the United States “are currently using or considering adopting [UAS] technology to assess, monitor and manage their farm”.
(7)
removed Rural counties are the majority of counties in the United States.
(8)
removed Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act, Congress is to determine whether or not the Federal advisory committees are “fairly balanced in terms of the points of view represented”.

Sec. 3 Drone advisory committee membership

(1)
changed Establishment—In general— The FAA Federal Aviation Administration shall maintain a Drone Advisory Committee (in this section referred take appropriate steps to encourage direct representation of county and tribal governments as well as agriculture, forestry, rangeland sectors, and other rural interests on the “Committee”).Drone Advisory Committee.
(b)
removed Duties— The Committee shall provide independent advice and recommendations to, and respond to specific other tasks requested by, the FAA regarding issues involving the efficiency and safety of integrating unmanned aircraft systems into the National Airspace System.
(c)
removed Charter—
(1)
removed In general— There shall be a charter to govern the structure and mission of the Committee.
(2)
removed Updates— The Administrator of the FAA (in this section referred to as the “Administrator”) shall—
(A)
removed review the charter under paragraph (1) not less frequently than once every two years; and
(B)
removed update such charter as appropriate.
(d)
removed Membership—
(1)
removed In general— The Committee shall consist of individuals with a balance of backgrounds, experiences, and viewpoints, and shall include individuals that directly represent—
(A)
removed airports and airport communities;
(B)
removed labor (such as controllers and pilots);
(C)
removed State, county, city, and Tribal governments;
(D)
removed navigation, communication, surveillance, and air traffic management capability providers;
(E)
removed research, development, and academia;
(F)
removed traditional manned aviation operators;
(G)
removed UAS hardware component manufacturers;
(H)
removed UAS manufacturers;
(I)
removed UAS operators, including agriculture, forestry, and rangeland sectors;
(J)
removed UAS software application manufacturers; and
(K)
removed other sectors determined appropriate by the Administrator.
(2)
renumbered was (5)(3) Public participation— To the maximum extent practicable, the Administrator shall include public participation in the process of nominating individuals for membership on the Committee.
(e)
removed Transparency— The Administrator shall ensure that the Committee complies with the requirements under—
(1)
removed the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.); and
(2)
removed section 552b of title 5, United States Code (commonly known as the “Government in the Sunshine Act”).
(f)
removed Funding— There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.