LOCAL UNMANNED AIRCRAFT REGULATION                                               S.B. 715 (S-2):

                                                                                                    SUMMARY OF BILL

                                                                                                  ON THIRD READING

Senate Bill 715 (Substitute S-2 as reported by the Committee of the Whole)

Sponsor:  Senator Wayne Schmidt

Committee:  Transportation

CONTENT

The bill would amend the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Act to allow a political subdivision that prohibits the operation of nonemergency motor vehicles in the political subdivision to enact or enforce an ordinance or resolution regulating the ownership or operation of unmanned aircraft.

The political subdivision could not prohibit ownership or operation of an unmanned aircraft for a commercial purpose and authorized under either of the following:

-- An exemption issued by the Secretary of the Federal Aviation Administration allowing the operation of an unmanned aircraft system.

-- A remote pilot certification issued by the Federal Aviation Administration.

Under the Act, except as expressly authorized by statute, a political subdivision may not enact or enforce an ordinance or resolution that regulates the ownership or operation of unmanned aircraft, or otherwise engage in the regulation of the ownership or operation of unmanned aircraft. Under the bill, this provision would not apply to a political subdivision as described above.

MCL 259.305                                                           Legislative Analyst:  Drew Krogulecki

FISCAL IMPACT

The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.

Date Completed:  5-8-18                                                      Fiscal Analyst:  Ryan Bergan

This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.