Bill > A1291

Introduced Session

This bill directs the Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, in consultation with the Board of Public Utilities and Department of Environmental Protection, to adopt rules and regulations permitting public utilities (utilities), cable television (CATV) companies, and telecommunications service providers to operate unmanned aircraft, commonly known as drones, in this State. The operation of the drones is to be used to assess, inspect, operate, or otherwise maintain the critical infrastructure of the utilities, CATV companies, and telecommunications service providers within this State. The use of drones is to help facilitate the quick identification of damaged infrastructure to efficiently restore the associated service in a timely manner. The bill provides that the utilities, CATV companies, and telecommunications service providers are to operate the drones in a manner consistent with applicable federal law and regulations. The utilities, CATV companies, and telecommunications service providers may contract with a third party to operate unmanned aircraft systems pursuant to the regulations of the Federal Aviation Administration and any regulations of the Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness to conduct the inspections provided for under the bill. Nothing in this bill is to be construed to affect federal preemption of State law governing aviation.

AI Summary

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Alex Sauickie (R)*, 

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Public Safety and Preparedness Committee (on 01/09/2024)

Official Document