BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 737
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Date of Hearing: April 10, 2013
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Mike Gatto, Chair
AB 737 (Fox) - As Amended: April 3, 2013
Policy Committee: JEDE Vote:6-0
Urgency: Yes State Mandated Local Program:
No Reimbursable:
SUMMARY
This bill requires the Governor's Office of Business and
Economic Development (GO-Biz) to prepare and submit an unmanned
aircraft test site application to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) on or before May 6, 2013. Specifically,
this bill:
1)Authorizes GO-Biz to consult during its application
preparation and implementation with the Governor's State
Military Council and other relevant departments and private
entities including, but not limited to: the Office of Planning
and Research; the Military Department; Department of Veteran's
Affairs; Employment Development Department; Department of
Transportation; representatives of the aerospace industry; all
other applicants for a California-based test site; local
governments; and education and training entities.
2)Requires GO-Biz to coordinate with any local government that
submits a proposal to the FAA for a test site.
FISCAL EFFECT
Absorbable costs for GO-Biz.
COMMENTS
1)Background. The FAA has announced the designation of six
national test sites for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). Two,
potentially competing, applications have already been
submitted by groups for airports in Ventura County and Kern
County. Currently, GO-Biz is working with these two entities
to improve California's chances to be successful in the
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application process. The bill appears to require a third
application.
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.
2)Federal Aviation Administration Modernization and Reform Act
of 2012. On February 14, 2012, President Obama signed the
Federal Aviation Administration Modernization and Reform Act
of 2012, which mandates the integration of civil UAS into the
national airspace systems. Prior to this act, unmanned
aircraft systems were strictly regulated and effectively
banned from civilian usage.
The act requires FAA to establish six test sites to develop
and enhance the technologies needed for routine operation of
civil unmanned aircraft systems. 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 6th, 2013. The
deadlines for the previous six volumes have already passed.
3)Related legislation.
a) AB 1326 (Gorell and Bradford) provides manufacturers in
the unmanned aerial vehicle industry with specifies sales
and use tax exemptions and income tax credits. This bill
is in the Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation.
b) AB 1327 (Gorell and Bradford) restricts all public
agency UAV usage to specified activities and generally
forbids private parties from using UAV for surveillance.
This bill is in the Assembly Committee on Public Safety.
c) AJR 6 (Fox) calls upon the FAA to consider California
for one of the six planned test sites for the
implementation of civil unmanned aircraft systems into the
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national airspace system. This resolution is in the
Assembly Committee on Transportation.
d) SB 15 (Padilla) states the intention of the Legislature
to establish appropriate standards for the use of civil
unmanned aircraft systems that minimize and retain current
privacy standards. This bill is in the Senate Committee on
Judiciary.
4)There is no registered opposition to this bill.
Analysis Prepared by : Roger Dunstan / APPR. / (916) 319-2081