Drone and AAM Prepared: January 2025 Recap

The 2025 state legislative sessions kicked off this month. Already, our state advocacy team is engaging with and educating lawmakers across the country about the value that advanced air mobility (AAM) and uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) will bring to their communities.

AAM Model Legislation Introduced in Arizona

AUVSI and our AAM Prepared partners worked with Senator Carroll to introduce SB1307. We’re very excited to add Arizona to the growing number of states that are AAM prepared. The bill has not been scheduled for a hearing yet, but you can track its status on the AZ legislative calendar.

The bill's introduction comes of the heels of last week's visit to Phoenix by AUVSI President and CEO Michael Robbins. During keynote address at the Global Links Business Luncheon, he discussed the exciting advances and opportunities with drones and advanced air mobility. He also met with Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego and Economic Development Director Christine Mackay to discuss the city's many ongoing autonomy projects and future initiatives.

We are energized that Arizona is poised to pass the AAM Prepared bill and a downtown Phoenix vertiport, a top priority for the Mayor, is on the horizon.

State Bills We're Engaging On

• North Dakota House Bill 1429: This bill attempts to prohibit UAS operations from flying over homesteads and agriculture operations throughout the state. It includes a vague exemption for commercial operations, but it's not clearly defined. In addition to AUVSI’s opposition testimony, the bill was opposed by the University of North Dakota, the North Dakota Autonomous Systems Council, the Northern Plains UAS Test Site and a local hobbyist. There was no testimony in favor of the bill.  

• North Dakota House Bill 1038: The bill provides $15M to replace drones owned by the state that were manufactured by American adversaries. AUVSI worked closely with the sponsor and the Northern Plains UAS Test Site to craft the bill. Our team traveled to Bismarck on January 15th for their UAS industry day where we met with the Governor’s Office, legislators and other key stakeholders. Read our testimony in support of the bill here.

State Bills We're Tracking

Many of the relevant bills introduced this month focus on regulating the use of UAS, including defining terms, setting penalties for misuse, and authorizing permitted uses. Other notable trends include amendments to existing laws to include UAS in the definition of certain crimes, and efforts to protect privacy by regulating drone surveillance.

Here are a few of the bills we're currently tracking:

• Connecticut HB5781: Establishes a task force on unidentified aerial phenomena and UAVs. Status: Introduced.
• Mississippi HB1494: Includes uncrewed aircraft in the elements of trespass and regulates their use over correctional facilities. Status: Introduced
• Nebraska LB660: Adopts the Secure Drone Purchasing Act. Status: Introduced.

• New Hampshire SB49 and HB468: Establishes the crime of and penalties for unlawful use of UAS. Status: Hearings scheduled for January 28 and January 31. 

• New York S3273: Regulates the use of UAS, including defining terms and authorizing permitted uses. Status: Introduced.  
• North Dakota HB1038: Provides an appropriation to the department of commerce for an uncrewed aerial vehicle replacement program and a state radar data pathfinder program. Status: The bill has passed in the House. 
• North Dakota HB1613: Relates to law enforcement use of drones or robots. Status: Introduced.

• Utah HB44: Relates to private airport notice amendments. Status: Passed House.  

• Virginia HB2177: Allows law enforcement to deploy UAS under certain conditions. Status: Committee Action.

• Virginia SB757: Creates a Class 4 felony for trespass with an UAS at a contracted defense facility. Status: Committee Action.

Mason Sisk is Director, Government Affairs at AUVSI. Learn more about AUVSI's Drone Prepared and AAM Prepared initiatives or contact advocacy@auvsi.org.