2023 -- S 0816

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LC001594

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO AERONAUTICS -- UNPILOTED AERIAL VEHICLES

     

     Introduced By: Senators McKenney, DeLuca, and Burke

     Date Introduced: March 23, 2023

     Referred To: Senate Judiciary

     (RI Airport Corporation)

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Section 1-8-1 of the General Laws in Chapter 1-8 entitled "Unpiloted Aerial

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Vehicles" is hereby repealed.

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     1-8-1. Exclusive aerial regulations.

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     Subject to federal law, the state of Rhode Island and the Rhode Island airport corporation

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shall have exclusive legal authority to regulate any object capable of flying that is remotely

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controlled and flies autonomously through software-controlled flight plans embedded in the

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object’s system by a global-position system, commonly known as unpiloted aerial vehicles,

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remotely piloted aircraft, drones, or unmanned aircraft systems.

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     SECTION 2. Chapter 1-8 of the General Laws entitled "Unpiloted Aerial Vehicles" is

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hereby amended by adding thereto the following sections:

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     1-8-1.1. Definitions.

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     When used in this chapter:

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     (1) "Unpiloted aircraft systems" or "UAS" means an unpiloted aerial vehicle and associated

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elements and support equipment required for the safe and efficient operation of the UAV.

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     (2) "Unpiloted aerial vehicle" or "UAV" means a powered aerial vehicle that:

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     (i) Does not carry a human operator and is operated without the possibility of direct human

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intervention from within or on the aircraft;

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     (ii) Uses aerodynamic forces to provide vehicle lift;

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     (iii) Can fly autonomously or be piloted remotely;

 

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     (iv) Weighs less than fifty-five pounds (55 lbs.).

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     (3) "Municipality" means any city. town or incorporated village within the state.

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     (4) "Operate" or "operation" means to fly, pilot, control, direct or program the flight of an

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unpiloted aircraft system.

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     1-8-1.2. Regulation of unpiloted aircraft systems.

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     (a) Any operation of a UAV or UAS in the state shall comply with all applicable Federal

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Aviation Administration ("FAA") requirements. Any UAV or UAS operating under the authority

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of the Armed Forces of the United States, Department of Homeland Services or any other federal

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agency having authority shall be exempt from this law.

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     (b) Any person who operates a UAV or UAS in violation of this chapter shall be subject to

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penalty in accordance with § 1-4-19.

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     (c) No municipality shall enact or enforce any ordinance regulating the operation of UAVs

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or UASs except as otherwise authorized by regulation or guideline promulgated by the Federal

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Aviation Administration or the Rhode Island general laws.

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     SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO AERONAUTICS -- UNPILOTED AERIAL VEHICLES

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     This act would provide for the regulation of unpiloted aircraft systems in accordance with

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Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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