Legislature(2013 - 2014)SENATE FINANCE 532
04/13/2014 01:30 PM Senate FINANCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB32 | |
| HCR15 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 209 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 220 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HB 32 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HCR 15 | TELECONFERENCED | |
CS FOR HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 15(FIN)
Relating to the Task Force on Unmanned Aircraft
Systems.
2:12:16 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SHELLEY HUGHES, SPONSOR, introduced the
legislation. She explained that the legislation extended
the length of the task force. She stated that in the United
States one in four homes owned a drone because of the
smaller size and affordability. As the use increased the
public's concerns also increased. Setting "structures" in
place with "inherent protections," reduced the impacts on
the public. She detailed that Alaska was selected by the
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to be a test site.
The FAA continued to address the safety conditions for the
use of drones. The role of the task force was to examine th
privacy issues and Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)
applications. The task force was very concerned with
privacy issues and misuse of UAS. She remarked on the
state's vast roadless areas and noted the potential of UAS
in the state. The task force performed will in the prior
year and had issued a report to the legislature on January
14, 2014 and will issue a final report on July 1, 2014. The
task force brought forward HB 255 (Unmanned Aircraft
Systems) that set the parameters for law enforcement use.
Representative Hughes related that the reason the task
force should continue its work was further address concerns
over privacy. The technology was fast growing and the
integration of UAS into national air space was expected in
late 2015. She anticipated additional issues emerging from
the integration. One of the duties of the task force would
be to continue to conduct public hearings and identify
issues on privacy and data collection, evaluate and
recommend solutions. The task force had spent much time
focusing on law enforcement use and issues in the past
year. Currently, commercial and business use was imminent.
She anticipated that the impending use of commercial UAS
would bring new challenges. The task force dealt with
Fourth Amendment rights and would begin to First Amendment
rights regarding business and media use. She believed the
task force was "timely and necessary' and stressed the
importance for Alaskans to know that the issue was being
monitored and addressed through policy. The task force was
comprised of 7 members and the legislation added a public
member, two industry members, and the commissioners of
DCCED, and Department of Transportation and Public
Facilities (DOT). The task force wanted more industry
members and the public to be more involved. She noted that
Senator Olson had been on the task force. She believed that
the task force needed to be "a central point of contact for
the public."
2:17:46 PM
Representative Hughes spoke to the desire for increased
economic development in the state. She believed the state
was a prime location for the UAS industry. Other states
took a more restrictive and hesitant approach and the UAS
industry was interested in the state. She shared that an
individual in the industry was looking forward to growing
his business to 100 people and felt the UAS industry
provided more opportunity for Alaskans. She urged the
committee to advance the legislation.
Co-Chair Meyer asked for verification that one in four
households owned a drone. Representative Hughes answered in
the affirmative.
Co-Chair Meyer pointed to the sponsor statement (copy on
file). He asked about the single point of contact noted in
the document. He inquired whether a single point of contact
was currently in place.
Representative Hughes answered that the single point of
contact was not assigned to any specific department. The
task force was the acting point of contact.
Co-Chair Meyer asked whether the task force was expanding
its membership. Representative Hughes replied in the
affirmative; by 5 additional members.
Senator Dunleavy questioned whether drones had the audio
and visual capacity that caused concerns and how a drone
was defined.
2:20:25 PM
Representative Hughes responded that a UAS with a camera
was unrelated.
GINGER BLAISDELL, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE SHELLY HUGHES
replied that the term "drone" had been adopted by the
military for weaponized unmanned aircraft. She explained
that more professional sounding names were in use; however,
drone was easier to say. A drone was the same as an
unmanned aircraft and was not related to weapons use.
Senator Dunleavy elucidated that for many years individuals
used recreational aircraft without weaponry. He wondered if
the recreational individuals' rights were being rolled into
the larger discussion on UAS. He wondered whether a
distinction existed between model airplane enthusiast and
the commercial and visual audio use of UAS.
Ms. Blaisdell answered that one of the functions of the
task force would define "where the line was drawn."
Currently the FAA had rules stating that UAS use for
commercial purposes a certificate of authorization was
required. Most UAS operators with camera equipment were
unaware that they may be operating illegally and received
fines. Some of the fines had been dropped and some had been
pursued. She indicated that another role of the task force
was public education.
Senator Dunleavy asked if he had a model airplane and was
flying it on his property he wondered if he was violating
any new laws since UAS came into use.
Ms. Blaisdell replied in the negative. She reported that
unless the individual wanted to sell and photography from
unmanned aircraft the individual was not in violation of
any law. The Academy of Model Aeronautics worked closely
with the FAA and set out the guidelines and rules for
hobbyists. She reiterated that most users were unaware of
the rules. She believed that "mass education" was
necessary.
2:24:36 PM
Senator Olson commented that the FAA continued to revise
regulations related to model aircraft and UAS in relation
to sharing airspace with manned aircraft. He was in favor
of the legislature.
Co-Chair Meyer CLOSED public testimony.
Vice-Chair Fairclough pointed to page 3 and noted the
absence of the definition of a drone and what was
regulated. She hoped that the task force developed
recommendations concerning recreational and camera use.
Representative Hughes replied that the issue had been
discussed in the last report of the task force and
discussions would continue along with implementation of
public education.
HCR 15 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
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