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Read. Follow. Verify.Drone Safety and Efficiency Act (H.R. 3983)
Last action · June 12, 2023: Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.
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What This Bill Would Do
This bill directs the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to modernize and streamline the process for drone operators to obtain safety waivers. It mandates the use of data analytics, creates an expedited renewal process for similar operations, and requires the FAA to publish issued waivers online.
This bill changes how drone operators apply for and receive FAA flight waivers, potentially reducing wait times and administrative burdens for commercial drone businesses by standardizing the approval process.
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Commercial drone operators
They will experience a standardized, data-driven application process and faster renewals for similar flight operations.
Federal Aviation Administration
The agency must update its internal review processes, implement data analytics, and maintain a public database of issued waivers.
Key Facts
- The FAA must adopt a performance- and risk-based approach for reviewing drone flight waiver requests.
- The FAA is required to use big data analytics and machine learning to process waiver applications.
- The FAA must establish an expedited review process for modifying or renewing previously issued waivers.
- The FAA must publish all issued waivers on its website, including terms, conditions, and airspace restrictions.
Show all 9 facts
- The FAA is authorized to streamline approvals for new applications that are substantially similar to previously approved waivers.
- The FAA must limit the use of open-ended descriptive prompts in waiver applications, except for unusual or irregular operations.
- The FAA must consider whether an applicant has controlled access to the ground property in the area of operation as a safety enhancement.
- The bill clarifies that a lack of property ownership or lack of controlled access to ground property should not be considered a negative factor for safety.
- The FAA must ensure that publicly disclosed waiver information protects proprietary data.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will this make it easier to get a drone flight waiver?
Will my proprietary business information be made public?
Does owning the land I fly over help my waiver application?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Shift to Data-Driven Regulation
The bill mandates a transition from manual, prompt-based application reviews to a system utilizing big data and machine learning.
Connected Entities
Sources
www.congress.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance60How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy10Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz20Current news / social attention level
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