HCR 15-TASK FORCE ON UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS  4:22:43 PM CHAIR OLSON announced that the final order of business would be HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 15, Relating to the continuation of the Task Force on Unmanned Aircraft Systems. 4:23:07 PM GINGER BLAISDELL, Staff, Representative Shelley Hughes, Alaska State Legislature, on behalf of the sponsor of HCR 15, Representative Shelley Hughes, explained that a legislative Task Force on Unmanned Aircraft Systems [task force] was formed under HCR 6 last legislative session to review regulations and guidance regarding unmanned aircraft systems [UAS] and to provide recommendations for a comprehensive state policy that protects privacy and allows for public and private operations. She said that most people are intrigued with unmanned aircraft, but most are concerned with privacy. The concept of unmanned aircraft is new and interesting, and each time the task force met, a new development occurred. Every instance and scenario was explored from the standpoint of how the use would happen and if the public was well protected. The task force decided that the instances were covered by statutes plus Alaska's Constitution has strong personal protection provisions. It isn't possible to determine how fast this industry is changing and growing. For example, the initial questions covered such items as search and rescue or wildlife management. She related that she receives unmanned aircraft system news. The military unmanned aircraft used for surveillance is approximately four feet wide, called a razor, and costs $76,000. Today, a company printed a razor in one day using a 3-D printer and loaded it with android, and using free applications (apps), it can do the same business and costs $2,000. The industry is changing fast, she said. 4:26:23 PM MS. BLAISDELL stated that Dubai's [Mohammed Al Gargawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, at the Government Summit in Dubai in February 2014,] has offered a $1 million award for anyone who can devise a use for unmanned aerial systems to improve government services. A sample video on the government website showed a lady in her home ordering her driver's license by computer and an unmanned aircraft flies to her home. A fingerprint scan opens the door, she removes her driver's license, and the unmanned aircraft flies away. 4:27:09 PM MS. BLAISDELL stated that the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) engineering department created an unmanned aircraft that fits into the palm of hand. These unmanned aircraft can be as large as a 747 aircraft. She recently learned that two Global Hawks fly in the South Pacific to monitor weather patterns. Japan's [Defense Ministry reported that two American-operated Global Hawks will be deployed from May to October to the U.S. military facility at Misawa Air Base. The drones are used as a high-altitude, long-endurance platform for surveillance and security. They were used before in monitoring the Fukushima nuclear plants after the leakage in March 2011]. She noted that the Global Hawks are the size of 747s and the pilots operate them from California, and the drones are flown around Guam and Japan without the necessity of obtaining passports. 4:28:13 PM MS. BLAISDELL said the task force was sensitive to privacy concerns especially surrounding law enforcement activities. She reported that HB 255 is currently before the House Judiciary Standing Committee and deals with law enforcement issues. It provides procedures, data retention, and community involvement. The task force has a limited scope, and this resolution, HCR 15, would extend the task force for three years until June 30, 2017, which also coincides with the UAF test site. Thus, when the UAF test site finishes its mission the task force will finish its work, as well. 4:29:19 PM MS. BLAISDELL discussed the "whereas" section of the resolution, which lists all of the positives of using UAF. The UAF was selected by the Federal Aviation Administration as one of six test sites. She anticipated that this will result in a boom in business and industry growth as well as being on the forefront of some policy decisions on how unmanned aircraft can be used in the U.S. The task force currently consists of seven members. This resolution requests the same seven members be retained and it adds two additional seats. The Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF), the Department of Law (DOL), and the Legislative Affairs Agency Legal Services thought it would be helpful, in particular, since the federal point of contact is with DOT&PF. The ninth position would be a public member since all other task force members had affiliation with aircraft use. 4:30:51 PM REPRESENTATIVE REINBOLD asked whether the task force has been working with the Aerospace Board. MS. BLAISDELL answered no. The task force originally had a board of 15-17 members, but it was cut to seven since it was a more manageable number, especially given any cost involvement. This resolution recognizes the need for a public position and DOT&PF position as the federal aviation connection. 4:31:53 PM CHAIR OLSON asked whether the University of Alaska Fairbanks competes with the private sector. MS. BLAISDELL deferred to the director of the test site [UAF Vice Chancellor Rosanne "Ro" Bailey, a retired Air Force brigadier general] to address the relationship. REPRESENTATIVE REINBOLD said Ms. Bailey is highly knowledgeable on this subject. 4:32:50 PM MS. BLAISDELL, referring to page 3, lines 2-14, which read, in part: (3) evaluating complaints and concerns expressed to the task force; (4) identifying potential privacy problems associated with unmanned aircraft systems and determining whether legislation is necessary to address them; (5) considering recommendations for public education related to unmanned aircraft systems; MS. BLAISDELL said that the "resolved" clauses add new duties and purposes of the task force. Resolve (3) would add language that allows the public, businesses and government an avenue to address their concerns. Right now there is nowhere for citizens to direct their concerns, she explained. The UAF doesn't typically receive comments that have little to do with the test site purpose, so the task force provides a central way for all citizens to participate. [Resolve (4)] "is to identify any potential privacy problems, and so it give the task force an opportunity to evaluate the concerns ... and see if we do need to makes some changes in statute." Resolve (5) relates to public education to help eliminate the fear, which generally develops with new technology, she said. Additionally, the task force can fulfill one of the duties of the UAF test site by conducting public meetings and receiving public comments. It also includes studying the issue and making recommendations to the legislature [paragraphs (7)-(9)], she said. MS. BLAISDELL stated that these clauses provide a great opportunity for legislator involvement with professionals in the business. She asked members to consider this resolution "with a positive light." 4:35:29 PM STEVE COLLIGAN, Member, Task Force on Unmanned Aircraft Systems, stated that he is in the mapping and technology business. He graduated from the UAF graduate program. 4:36:42 PM CHAIR OLSON remarked that it isn't possible to hear the testifier due to the poor audio. He offered to place Mr. Colligan at the top of the list at the next hearing on HCR 15. [HCR 15 was held over.]