ITIF Logo
ITIF Search

ITIF Welcomes House Introduction of Commercial UAS Modernization Act

February 2, 2016

WASHINGTON—The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) today welcomed the introduction of the Commercial UAS Modernization Act by Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), a companion bill to legislation introduced by Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) in May 2015. ITIF released the followed statement from Vice President Daniel Castro:

Over the last few years, other countries with more innovation-friendly regulatory policies have continued to pull ahead of the United States in the race to develop commercial drones. For example, the European Aviation Safety Agency released a technical framework based on a risk-based approach that minimizes unnecessary regulations. In terms of policy, today’s legislation would catapult the United States to the front of the line in UAS innovation.

The Commercial UAS Modernization Act takes a number of important steps to promote the integration of commercial drone operations into U.S. airspace while continuing to protect the public. This includes creating pragmatic exemptions for micro-UAS and establishing testing, certification, and insurance requirements.

Furthermore, by creating a research and development program that allows for data collection and analysis on a variety of important unmanned operations that are not covered in the FAA’s current rulemaking, such as autonomous systems and beyond line-of-sight operations, this legislation would promote future flexible and innovation-friendly rules.

If the United States is to stay competitive in commercial drone products and services, it is incumbent on Congress and the FAA to expedite integration of commercial drones into U.S. airspace. This legislation is a welcome start.

###

The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) is an independent, nonprofit, nonpartisan research and educational institute focusing on the intersection of technological innovation and public policy. Recognized by its peers in the think tank community as the global center of excellence for science and technology policy, ITIF’s mission is to formulate and promote policy solutions that accelerate innovation and boost productivity to spur growth, opportunity, and progress.

Back to Top