BILL NUMBER: S3273
SPONSOR: COONEY
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to regulating
the use of unmanned aircraft in the state
 
PURPOSE:
To provide consistent regulation of unmanned aerial systems in New York
consistent with Federal. Aviation Administration ("FAA") regulations and
guidelines.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1: Adds new Article 48-D to the Vehicle and Traffic Law with
sections 2500 - 2504 of the new article. These new sections cover defi-
nitions, permitted uses of unmanned aircraft, restricted uses of
unmanned aircraft and State preemption of local laws.
Section 2: Establishes the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Unmanned aircraft or drones are a fast growing industry in New York
State. They have become popular with both commercial and hobbyists
alike. The commercial use of unmanned aircraft has been extremely bene-
ficial for its users and they have been increasingly used in a variety
of industries from agriculture to construction. Upstate New York
currently hosts the New York UAS Test Site at Griffiss International
Airport in Rome, NY and is poised to become a leader in this emerging
field. This legislation seeks to further the growth of this industry by
establishing consistent regulatory structure for unmanned aircraft in
the State. Specifically, the legislation seeks to regulate unmanned
aircraft that have been approved by the FRA.
This legislation is modeled on current FAA regulations and will help
provide certainty to companies and users on how they can operate these
systems in New York. More importantly, this legislation helps ensure the
highest level of safety of flight, and safety of people and property on
the ground. In addition, this legislation will help law enforcement by
creating a uniform structure of permitted and unpermitted use of
unmanned aircraft that they can enforce statewide. The bill addresses
permitted uses, unpermitted uses and takes into account basic safety and
privacy guidelines for users and the public. Other states are enacting
similar laws to ensure their regulatory structure is consistent with FAA
policy.
This bill will create regulatory certainty for unmanned aircraft compa-
nies and users and will prevent conflicts with federal laws and regu-
lations. New York is in a unique position to benefit from the growth of
this industry and its potential to create jobs in the State.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-24: S.9513
2021-22: S.3914 Referred to Transportation
2019-2020: S.5461A Referred to Transportation/ A.1515A Referred to
Transportation
2018: S.8936 Referred to Rules/ A.10625 Referred to transportation
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS: :
To be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.