BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AJR 6
Page 1
Date of Hearing: April 15, 2013
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION
Bonnie Lowenthal, Chair
AJR 6 (Fox) - As Introduced: January 28, 2013
SUBJECT : California unmanned aircraft system testing sites
SUMMARY : Urges the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to
consider California as one of the six test sites for unmanned
aircraft systems. Specifically, this bill :
1)States the following:
a) The FAA has a proven track record of safely introducing
new technology and aircraft into the national airspace
system and has been working to ensure the safe integration
of unmanned aircraft systems, commonly known as drones,
into the national airspace system, with the focus being on
safety for the nation's communities.
b) The FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (FAA Act),
among other provisions, requires FAA to designate six sites
throughout the United States as unmanned aircraft system
test sites.
c) Unmanned aircraft systems are not currently authorized
in Class B airspace, which is airspace over most major
urban areas, and which contains the highest density of
manned aircraft in the national airspace system.
d) Unmanned aircraft systems perform port surveillance,
assist with scientific research and environmental
monitoring, and perform other valuable roles. They
represent one of the fastest growing segments of the
aerospace industry.
e) Cites the potential for manufacturing job creation and
the development of new markets.
1)Resolves that the Assembly and the Senate jointly urge FAA to
consider California as one of the six test sites for unmanned
aircraft systems and integration of those systems into the
next generation air transportation system.
AJR 6
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EXISTING FEDERAL LAW :
1)Under the FAA Act, provides for the integration of civil
unmanned aircraft systems into the national airspace system by
September 30, 2015. Among its other provisions, requires the
FAA to designate six sites throughout the United States as
unmanned aircraft system test sites in order to safely
integrate unmanned aircraft systems into the national airspace
system.
2)Requires FAA to develop and implement operational and
certification requirements for the operation of public
unmanned aircraft systems in the national airspace system by
December 31, 2015.
FISCAL EFFECT : Unknown
COMMENTS : On February 14, 2012, President Obama signed the FAA
Act, which mandates the integration of civil unmanned aircraft
systems (UAS) into the national airspace systems. Prior to this
act, UAS, or drones, were strictly regulated and effectively
banned from civilian usage. The FAA Act requires FAA to
establish six test sites to develop and enhance the technologies
needed for routine operation of civil unmanned aircraft systems.
Accordingly, entities must submit an application to FAA. The
application process is composed of seven volumes, with each
volume addressing different applications requirements. The final
volume, "Economic Impact," is due on Monday, May 6, 2013. The
deadlines for the previous six volumes have already passed.
Recently, according to the Sacramento Bee, 50 applications have
been received from 37 states.
Two separate applications have been submitted from California by
two distinct groups for airports in Ventura County and Kern/San
Diego Counties. Currently, the Governor's Office is working
with these two groups in an attempt to consolidate their
applications in order to improve California's chances to be
successful in the application process. That effort is
consistent with AB 737, also introduced Assemblymember Fox, that
would require the Governor's Office of Business and Economic
Development to prepare a single proposal to establish a drone
test site in California by May 6, 2013. That bill passed the
Assembly Jobs, Economic Development and the Economy Committee
and the Assembly Appropriations Committee and is awaiting
approval on the Floor.
AJR 6
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Recently, the Assembly Select Committee on Aerospace convened a
hearing on the FAA's call for applications. The hearing focused
on determining what the state could do to merge the two
California applications into a single statewide application.
The hearing concluded without the parties representing the two
California UAS applications agreeing to assimilate or coordinate
their separate applications.
The primary market for civilian UAS usage is agricultural
monitoring. UAS technology is especially suited for precision
agriculture. A variety of imaging technologies can be used to
scan for plant health problems, track growth rates and hydration
and detect pests. UAS technology can also be used for selective
application of pesticides, simultaneously increasing the
efficiency of pesticide usage and decreasing environmental
impact. UAS technology is already widely used in Japan. Other
potential civilian applications for UAS are numerous, including
firefighting and disaster relief, search and rescue and other
law enforcement uses, and scientific research. It has been
estimated that the global UAS market to be valued at more than
$94 billion over the next 10 years.
This resolution has been introduced by the author in hopes of
bringing some of the potential market to California upon this
state's selection by FAA of one of the six locations to be
approved for testing and development of drones within the
nation.
Related bills : AB 1326 (Gorell and Bradford) of 2013, would
provide manufacturers in the unmanned aerial vehicle industry
with three economic incentives. That bill is scheduled to be
heard by the Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation on April
22, 2013.
AB 1327 (Gorell and Bradford) of 2013, would restrict the
deployment of drones by public entities and require the
establishment of polices prior to deployment. That bill is yet
to be scheduled in the Assembly Public Safety Committee and the
Assembly Local Government Committee.
SB 15 (Padilla) of 2013, would establish civil and criminal
penalties for persons engaged in illegal drone activities as
well as state the intent of the Legislature to establish
appropriate standards for the use of unmanned aircraft systems.
AJR 6
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That bill is to be heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee on
April 16 and, upon its passage, the Senate Public Safety
Committee.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION :
Support
Association of California Airports
Opposition
None on file
Analysis Prepared by : Ed Imai / TRANS. / (916) 319-2093