Two US Senators propose temporary legislation to support UAS commercial development in the US, ensuring the US industry remains competitive.

The US is lagging behind globally in the commercial integration of Senators — Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Sen. Hoeven (R-N.D.) — who are proposing new legislation. The Commercial UAS Modernization Act, if enacted, would change that dismal assessment by providing a two to three year bridge for the industry to move rulemaking process now underway concludes. On February 23, 2015, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) published its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking Operation and Certification of Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (the “small UAS rule”) regarding the operation of small UAS for commercial purposes. Once finalized, the small UAS rule would allow private individuals to operate small UAS of less than 55 pounds in the National Airspace, subject to restrictions, without a Special Airworthiness Certification. Finalization of that rule, however, is expected to take years.