AB 14, as amended, Waldron. Unmanned aircraft systems: task force.
Existing federal law, the Federal Aviation Administration Modernization and Reform Act of 2012, provides for the integration of civil unmanned aircraft systems, commonly known as drones, into the national airspace system by September 30, 2015. Existing federal law requires the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration 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.
This bill would create the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Task Force, comprised of 10 members, as provided. The bill would require the task force to research, develop, and formulate a comprehensive policy for unmanned aircraft systems. The task force would be required to submit, among other things, a policy draft and suggested legislation pertaining to unmanned aircraft systems to the Legislature and the Governor throughout the term of the task force, on or before January 1, 2018. The bill would provide that these provisions are repealed on January 1, 2022.
Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes. State-mandated local program: no.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
Title 24 (commencing with Section 110050) is
2added to the Government Code, to read:
3
(a) The Legislature finds and declares that there is a
8need for California to have in place a comprehensive policy for
9the operation of unmanned aircraft systems, and a desire to work
10with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the
11development of and within the guidelines of the FAA as they are
12put in place.
13(b) It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting this title that a
14task force be created to advise the Governorbegin insert, the Governor’s Office
15of Business and Economic Development,end insert and the Legislature in
16formulating a comprehensive policy for the state regarding
17unmanned aircraft systems, including, but not limited to,begin insert
operating
18as an ongoing working group reporting ongoing activity,end insert
19 commenting on FAA policy development, and anticipating and
20recognizing California’s unique needs for high technology,
21aerospace, commercial, agricultural and public safety uses.
(a) There is hereby created the Unmanned Aircraft
23Systems Task Force which shall operate for two years, until
24January 1, 2018.
25(b) The task force shall take all actions necessary to research,
26develop, and formulate a comprehensive policy for unmanned
27aircraft systems, to promote aviation, aerospace, agricultural, public
28safety and technology industry uses throughout the state, through
29the commercialization of aviation, aerospace, and technology
30products and ideas, including, but not limited to, all of the
31following:
32(1) Review regulations and guidance from the FAA regarding
33unmanned aircraft systems and incorporate them into a state policy
P3 1draft and advise the Governorbegin insert,
the Governor’s Office of Business
2and Economic Development,end insert and the Legislature on an on-going
3basis regarding FAA policy development, task force activities, and
4public comment regarding the development of the FAA guidelines
5to coincide with the needs of California.
6(2) Provide written recommendations, together with suggested
7legislation, for a comprehensive state policy for unmanned aircraft
8systems that allows the use of unmanned aircraft systems for public
9and private applications.
10 (3) Study the private use of unmanned aircraft systems to
11encourage development of the unmanned aircraft systems industry
12in the private sector.
13(4) Evaluate complaints and concerns that are expressed to the
14task force regarding the use of unmanned aircraft systems.
15(5) Study and make recommendations with respect to ensuring
16that unmanned aircraft systems users comply with applicable laws,
17and assess implementation plans and results.
18(6) Encourage communication and resource sharing among
19individuals and organizations involved in the aviation, aerospace,
20agriculture, government, and technology industry, including
21business, the military, and academia.
(a) Any written recommendations, suggested
23legislation, or other drafts or documents required to be prepared
24pursuant to Section 110051 shall be submitted to the Legislature
25and the Governor throughout the term of the task force,begin delete onend delete or
26before January 1, 2018.
27(b) The materials described in subdivision (a) shall be submitted
28in compliance with Section 9795.
The task force shall consist of 10 members, as follows,
30who shall serve a two-year term:
31(a) The Adjutant General of the Military Department, or his or
32her designee, shall be an ex officio member of the task force.
33(b) Three members appointed by the Governor:
34(1) A member representing the California University System.
35(2) A member representing agriculture.
36(3) A member from the Governor’s economic development
37group.
38(c) Three members appointed
by the Senate Committee on
39Rules:
40(1) A member representing the aerospace industry.
P4 1(2) A member representing the Academy of Model Aeronautics.
2(3) A member representing law enforcement.
3(d) Three members appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly:
4(1) A member representing business and industry.
5(2) Two public members who have participated in the unmanned
6aircraft system industry and who have experience operating
7unmanned aircraft systems.
(a) The task force may meet as frequently as necessary
9to carry out its responsibilities.
10(b) The members of the task force shall serve without
11compensation, but shall receive a per diem of one hundred dollars
12($100) and reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses
13incurred in connection with the performance of their duties.
The task force may appoint an executive director, who
15may employ staff upon approval by the task force.
The task force shall be funded by an appropriation in
17the annual Budget Act.
This title shall remain in effect only until January 1,
202022, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute,
21that is enacted before January 1, 2022, deletes or extends that date.
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