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

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

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

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

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

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communications networks; and

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

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

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

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

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jobs in the United States; and

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

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

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benefit; and

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     WHEREAS, Prospective operators of unmanned aircraft systems must understand and

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

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     WHEREAS, The regulatory framework for unmanned aircraft systems continues to

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

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

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unmanned aircraft systems operations in the airspace; and

 

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     WHEREAS, Easily accessible and freely available information regarding current

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

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

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

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

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Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International and the Academy of Model

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

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

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

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

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

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therefore, be it

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

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

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

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Island; and be it further

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

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

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

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

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Administration.

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LC001268

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