2019 -- S 0367

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LC001268

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2019

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S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

RECOGNIZING AND SUPPORTING THE "KNOW BEFORE YOU FLY" CAMPAIGN AS

AN OFFICIAL SOURCE OF SAFETY EDUCATION FOR PROSPECTIVE AND ACTIVE

OPERATORS OF UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS IN RHODE ISLAND

     Introduced By: Senators DiPalma, Seveney, Coyne, Felag, and Lawson

     Date Introduced: February 13, 2019

     Referred To: Senate Judiciary

     WHEREAS, The safe integration of unmanned aircraft systems into the National

Airspace System promises to drive new economic development and consumer choice, promote

more responsible stewardship of natural resources, facilitate more effective emergency response

and disaster recovery, and improve the efficiency and security of energy, transportation, and

communications networks; and

     WHEREAS, Direct operation of unmanned aircraft systems, for both commercial and

non-commercial use, is growing rapidly, with more than 1,000,000 aircraft already registered; and

     WHEREAS, The development and adoption of services provided by unmanned aircraft

systems is expected to generate billions of new economic activity and create thousands of new

jobs in the United States; and

     WHEREAS, The safe operation of unmanned aircraft systems, both for non-commercial

and commercial purposes, is necessary for continued innovation, economic activity, and public

benefit; and

     WHEREAS, Prospective operators of unmanned aircraft systems must understand and

abide by relevant requirements and limitations to ensure the safe operation of such systems; and

     WHEREAS, The regulatory framework for unmanned aircraft systems continues to

develop, including steps by the Federal Aviation Administration to integrate unmanned aircraft

systems into the National Air Space System and issuance of operational requirements for small

unmanned aircraft systems operations in the airspace; and

     WHEREAS, Easily accessible and freely available information regarding current

guidance for safe and responsible unmanned aircraft systems operations provides certainty to

unmanned aircraft system owners and operators, maximizes the public benefits of unmanned

aircraft systems, and mitigates risks to public safety and security; and

     WHEREAS, "Know Before You Fly" is an education campaign founded by the

Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International and the Academy of Model

Aeronautics in partnership with the Federal Aviation Administration to educate prospective users

about the safe and responsible operation of unmanned aircraft systems; and

     WHEREAS, The "Know Before You Fly" educational campaign has developed

relationships with more than 150 supporters, including unmanned aircraft manufacturers, law

enforcement agencies, retailers, labor organizations, and institutions of higher education; now,

therefore, be it

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

hereby recognizes and supports the "Know Before You Fly" program as an official source of

safety education for prospective and active operators of unmanned aircraft systems in Rhode

Island; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certifies copies of this resolution to Mr. Dallas Brooks, Chairman of the Board of

the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International, Mr. Rich Hanson, President of the

Academy of Model Aeronautics, and Mr. Dan Elwell, Acting Administrator, Federal Aviation

Administration.

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LC001268

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