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Pennsylvania House of Representatives
04/19/2024 04:08 AM
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=H&SPick=20150&cosponId=17661
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House of Representatives
Session of 2015 - 2016 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted: March 4, 2015 09:59 AM
From: Representative Eddie Day Pashinski
To: All House members
Subject: REVISED CO-SPONSOR MEMO- Urging the FAA to Properly Regulate the Use of Drones
 
MEMORANDUM

TO: Members of the House of Representatives

FROM: Representative Eddie Day Pashinski

DATE: March 4, 2015

SUBJECT: Urging the FAA to Properly Regulate the Use of Drones



In the near future, I plan to introduce a resolution urging the Federal Aviation Administration to promulgate regulations and rules to protect Americans from the use of drones capable of inflicting harm or invading privacy.

In early December, while visiting the hobby shop for Christmas gifts, I was amazed to discover the sophistication and availability of drones capable of high resolution photography and GPS tracking. As I asked questions about the drones to the store owner, who is an expert in UAVs, I quickly discovered that the FAA and the Commonwealth had insufficient regulations regarding all aspects of owning and operating one of these drones.

On January 26, 2015, after a small drone, undetectable by radar, unexpectedly landed on the White House lawn, President Barack Obama raised concerns about the lack of a regulatory structure for drones. Due to this incident, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently promulgated preliminary rules concerning UAVs and drones; however, I am of the opinion that these regulations do not go far enough to ensure our safety and privacy.
Accordingly, I will be introducing a resolution urging the FAA to issue additional rules regarding the manufacture, sale, and operation of drones and UAVs. Specifically, my resolution urges the FAA to issue rules that:
  • Ensures that drones are airworthy;
  • Requires operators to be properly trained;
  • Limits specific areas and spaces where drones may be operated;
  • Prohibits drones from being used for the purpose of interfering with other air traffic, inflicting harm or illegally invading privacy;
  • Restricts the general public from purchasing any drone capable of carrying and delivering a lethal explosive or otherwise dangerous device;
  • Prohibits the resale of any drone and includes penalties for violations;
  • Distinguishes between an unmanned aerial vehicle considered a toy and a drone capable of carrying and delivering a device capable of causing harm, destroying property or invading the privacy of others;
  • Differentiates between an unmanned aerial vehicle considered a toy and one capable of taking professional photographs and videos.
  • Requires any UAV or drone manufactured for professional use to have an identifying number, electronic kill frequency and any other protective mechanism; and
  • Mandates registration and background checks for any individual that is involved in the design, manufacture, distribution, sales, operation or any other application related to a drone.
The Federal Aviation Administration is significantly behind schedule on disseminating regulations regarding the safe and responsible use of drones and other unmanned aerial vehicles. Without specific limitations, I am concerned that drones and UAVs, which may be GPS guided and equipped with a lethal explosive device, may be utilized to inflict harm on the President or other Americans. In addition, I am troubled that drones may be used in a manner that invades the privacy of American citizens.
Please co-sponsor this resolution to urge the FAA to properly regulate the use of drones.

If you co-sponsored the other version of this memo you will have to resubmit your co-sponsor for this corrected/revised version. Thank you.

Previous Sponsors: McNeill, V. Brown, Rozzi, Samuelson, Kirkland,Donatucci, Readshaw, Deluca

Introduced as HR295