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senate Bill S. 2670

Should There be Fewer Regulations on Small Drones?

Argument in favor

Small drones are easy and safe to use, as long as basic precautions are followed. This bill would help small businesses by allowing them to use drones without jumping through the bureaucratic hoops.

operaman's Opinion
···
06/02/2016
While fewer regulations will always be the correct answer, I believe that drones are "open season" when used irresponsibly. If you want to fly over my house, go ahead, but be warned that said flyover may not make it back the hanger. I shall judge the fly over with the same intelligence as the pilot. Skeet anyone?
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Noah's Opinion
···
06/03/2016
There should be fewer regulations on small drones, they are facilitating new small business and photography operations.
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Loraki's Opinion
···
06/03/2016
Democrats and RINOs seem to think that all wrongdoing could be eliminated, if only those of us on the right would let them regulate EVERYTHING UNDER THE SUN! I'm glad that there are SANE people in the world like Sen. David Vitter (R-LA), who realize that all the REGULATIONS in the world will not stop wrongdoing. And while we seem to be morphing into a nation of crybabies/victims who are willing to sacrifice freedom for getting their FEELINGS protected, THANK GOD there are still people who value freedom, sovereignty, and independence in these United States! Much to my surprise and dismay, I noticed that Countable is not an UNBIASED platform. It is pushing the pro-gun control agenda on the heels of the shootings at UCLA! ("Never let a good crisis go to waste," remember?) Raise your hand if you think that firearms are sentient beings that just pick themselves up and willfully pull their own trigger because they want to kill someone! NONSENSE, you say! A firearm, like a drone, is merely a tool invented by mankind to do work. Law abiding citizens wouldn't dream of using either in a LAWLESS manner! But we who realize that there exists both GOOD AND EVIL all over the world know that it is the person bent on doing evil who needs to be locked up, rehabilitated if possible, or executed. Such people are NOT going to be deterred by REGULATIONS! If a person doesn't have a gun, there are innumerable other ways to kill someone. Likewise, laws and regulations won't stop lawbreakers from using drones for some nefarious purpose. Nor will they stop idiots from using drones in an unsafe manner. UNCLE SAM HAS TO QUIT TREATING US ALL LIKE BABIES (OR WORSE, LIKE SLAVES) WHO NEED EVERY ASPECT OF OUR LIVES REGULATED! Our forefathers left a despotic king in England and came to this land to live like FREE MEN AND WOMEN! But now our government has grown too big, too powerful and tyrannical, and too corrupt. One can almost feel their boot on our necks! Time to remember that AMERICA STANDS FOR FREEDOM! Please support Sen. Vitter's bill, S.2670 - Micro Drone Safety and Innovation Act of 2016!
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Argument opposed

Commercial drone use should be closely regulated by the federal government. Drones can create safety hazards if flown improperly, and can be used to spy and invade privacy.

Michael's Opinion
···
06/03/2016
The current regulations on drones across the US broadly are not currently very restrictive. Incidents of drone sightings over major airports, for example, would indicate the need for further regulation, not less.
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Elinor's Opinion
···
06/02/2016
I would vote yes if I am permitted to shoot down drones flying over my property!
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Vinnie's Opinion
···
06/03/2016
National security- You could literally strap IED's to a hundred of these things & remotely fly them into crowded cities without a radar.
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What is Senate Bill S. 2670?

The Micro Drone Safety and Innovation Act would ease restrictions on the commercial use of small drones weighing less than 4.4 pounds.

Currently, if someone wants to fly a drone for business purposes, he or she must obtain an airworthiness certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) or successfully petition for an exemption. Drones may be flown recreationally without an airworthiness certificate, but must be registered with the FAA.

Under this legislation, anyone would be able to fly small drones for business or recreational reasons without having to:

  • Pass an aeronautical knowledge test;

  • Meet an age or experience requirement;

  • Obtain an airman certificate or medical certificate.

The bill lays out specific safety regulations for the use of drones. Micro drones must flown:

  • Less than 400 feet above ground level;

  • At an airspeed of less than 40 knots (about 46 mph);

  • Within sight of the operator;

  • During daylight hours;

  • No less than five miles from the geographic center of an airport with an air traffic control tower (unless the operator has notified the airport operator and received approval from the air traffic control tower).

Impact

Small businesses and regular people that want to use drones, drone manufacturers, drone operators, the FAA, pilots, American people who may encounter more drones in public spaces.

Cost of Senate Bill S. 2670

A CBO cost estimate is unavailable.

More Information

In Depth: Some opponents of this bill point out that there are already many drones in the sky: The FAA receives reports of more than 100 sightings a month. If regulations are eased, these numbers could increase drastically.

However, sponsoring Sen. David Vitter (R-LA) sees the obvious public interest in drones as an indication that they should be more accessible to small businesses. He said at a congressional hearing:

“[Unmanned aircraft systems] are used in numerous applications across many industries including: agriculture, real estate, construction, film and TV, and telecommunications, just to name a few…The FAA needs to update its exemption process so that small businesses are taken care of in a timely fashion without compromising community and airspace safety. The current process is simply unacceptable and leaves too many small businesses out to dry.”


Summary by Katie Rose Quandt
(Image Credit: Richard Unten/ Flickr)

AKA

Micro Drone Safety and Innovation Act of 2016

Official Title

A bill to provide for the operation of micro unmanned aircraft systems.

bill Progress

  • Not enacted
    The President has not signed this bill
  • The house has not voted
  • The senate has not voted
      senate Committees
      Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
      Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship
    IntroducedMarch 10th, 2016
    operaman's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    06/02/2016
    While fewer regulations will always be the correct answer, I believe that drones are "open season" when used irresponsibly. If you want to fly over my house, go ahead, but be warned that said flyover may not make it back the hanger. I shall judge the fly over with the same intelligence as the pilot. Skeet anyone?
    Like (32)
    Follow
    Share
    Michael's Opinion Against
    ···
    06/03/2016
    The current regulations on drones across the US broadly are not currently very restrictive. Incidents of drone sightings over major airports, for example, would indicate the need for further regulation, not less.
    Like (11)
    Follow
    Share
    Elinor's Opinion Against
    ···
    06/02/2016
    I would vote yes if I am permitted to shoot down drones flying over my property!
    Like (11)
    Follow
    Share
    Noah's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    06/03/2016
    There should be fewer regulations on small drones, they are facilitating new small business and photography operations.
    Like (8)
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    Alis's Opinion Against
    ···
    06/04/2016
    Okay. This seems to me to be a bill that should encourage conservatives to make up their minds about their foundational ethic: what do you FEAR most! ! 1. Are you more afraid of government regulation--which almost always gets your knickers in a knot unless you can blame interfering in citizens lives on Jesus? OR 2. Are you more afraid of the possible national security risks that a proliferation of unregulated drones could pose (in the Land of Paranoia where you hang out?) As a person who chooses not to live in fear, I strongly believe we will all be better off if there is adequate--not excessive--regulation so that our privacy & security are not threatened. I'll be interested to observe how your fear & trembling works this out. I suppose someone with big buckets of $$$ has already bought your vote so perhaps it will be the wallet that buys you off that will determine the level of fear you allow yourselves to indulge in. Have a good time foaming at the mouth!
    Like (5)
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    Loraki's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    06/03/2016
    Democrats and RINOs seem to think that all wrongdoing could be eliminated, if only those of us on the right would let them regulate EVERYTHING UNDER THE SUN! I'm glad that there are SANE people in the world like Sen. David Vitter (R-LA), who realize that all the REGULATIONS in the world will not stop wrongdoing. And while we seem to be morphing into a nation of crybabies/victims who are willing to sacrifice freedom for getting their FEELINGS protected, THANK GOD there are still people who value freedom, sovereignty, and independence in these United States! Much to my surprise and dismay, I noticed that Countable is not an UNBIASED platform. It is pushing the pro-gun control agenda on the heels of the shootings at UCLA! ("Never let a good crisis go to waste," remember?) Raise your hand if you think that firearms are sentient beings that just pick themselves up and willfully pull their own trigger because they want to kill someone! NONSENSE, you say! A firearm, like a drone, is merely a tool invented by mankind to do work. Law abiding citizens wouldn't dream of using either in a LAWLESS manner! But we who realize that there exists both GOOD AND EVIL all over the world know that it is the person bent on doing evil who needs to be locked up, rehabilitated if possible, or executed. Such people are NOT going to be deterred by REGULATIONS! If a person doesn't have a gun, there are innumerable other ways to kill someone. Likewise, laws and regulations won't stop lawbreakers from using drones for some nefarious purpose. Nor will they stop idiots from using drones in an unsafe manner. UNCLE SAM HAS TO QUIT TREATING US ALL LIKE BABIES (OR WORSE, LIKE SLAVES) WHO NEED EVERY ASPECT OF OUR LIVES REGULATED! Our forefathers left a despotic king in England and came to this land to live like FREE MEN AND WOMEN! But now our government has grown too big, too powerful and tyrannical, and too corrupt. One can almost feel their boot on our necks! Time to remember that AMERICA STANDS FOR FREEDOM! Please support Sen. Vitter's bill, S.2670 - Micro Drone Safety and Innovation Act of 2016!
    Like (5)
    Follow
    Share
    Vinnie's Opinion Against
    ···
    06/03/2016
    National security- You could literally strap IED's to a hundred of these things & remotely fly them into crowded cities without a radar.
    Like (5)
    Follow
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    pgshpak's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    06/03/2016
    As long as the drones don't violate the property rights of others, then they should be able to be used freely.
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    SherryTX's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    06/02/2016
    They don't regulate remote controlled hobby planes, why regulate the drones?
    Like (3)
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    Chris's Opinion Against
    ···
    06/03/2016
    An obvious terror threat should not be less subject to regulations.
    Like (3)
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    Kevin's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    06/03/2016
    Need I say it again? Government overreach! This is a state decision. The federal government is already got their hands in way to much of our business!
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    Jacob's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    07/20/2016
    Can the federal government just not regulate everything for one day and let us have fun with cool new drones? I'm sure at least half of us can handle the new responsibilities, thank you.
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    Logan's Opinion Against
    ···
    06/03/2016
    The number of UAV's is increasing rapidly. UAV's can pose significant privacy and accessibility violation as well as safety concerns. Drones have the potential to interfere with aircraft and are difficult to attribute to a single person. Most basic UAV's operate using one way radio and it's difficult to hold people accountable for their actions because nothing links these UAV's to people.
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    Casey's Opinion Against
    ···
    06/03/2016
    Given the ability drones have for private surveillance, they should be regulated.
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    Nato's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    06/03/2016
    Absolutely. Less regulation is always our ultimate goal. Let's just make sure that the little regulation we do have is smart, let's address privacy concerns but let us also stay out of the way of innovation.
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    Hunter's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    06/04/2016
    Always a fan of less regulation.
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    Joe's Opinion Against
    ···
    06/10/2016
    There should be more
    Like (2)
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    Luke's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    06/04/2016
    No more dangerous than a kid playing baseball, they can knock out a window that's about it
    Like (2)
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    Moni's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    06/03/2016
    From what I read it sounds ok, but add an amendment saying you can't fly a drone over private citizens property without the consent of the owner (surprisingly in some places you can).
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    Gary's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    06/03/2016
    I see no reason for excessive regulation. There are already laws respecting safety and privacy, so it really isn't necessary to over regulate them.
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