Bill > HR3958

This bill directs the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to publish guidance and implementation procedures for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) with respect to environmental reviews. The key provisions include: (1) guidance to streamline environmental assessments for UAS operators' networks of operations within defined geographical regions; (2) guidance for nationwide programmatic approaches to leverage Programmatic Environmental Assessments or Environmental Impact Statements for efficient environmental review of large-scale distributed UAS operations; (3) consideration of additional Categorical Exclusions based on previously prepared environmental assessments; (4) prioritization of projects that can offset or limit environmental impacts; (5) intra-agency process improvements to avoid conflicting safety and environmental feedback to UAS operators; and (6) the development of standards and criteria for engaging third parties to support the FAA's preparation and review of National Environmental Policy Act documentation to ensure streamlined timelines for complex reviews. The bill also requires the FAA to conduct concurrent reviews of UAS design, construction, maintenance, airworthiness, and operational approvals where environmental assessment is required.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/3958/all-info