Bill Text: MI SB0994 | 2015-2016 | 98th Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: Aeronautics; other; definitions for unmanned aircraft; enact, and create task force to recommend statewide policy for drones. Amends secs. 8 & 9 of 1945 PA 327 (MCL 259.8 & 259.9) & adds sec. 97. TIE BAR WITH: SB 0432'15
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2016-05-31 - Referred To Committee Of The Whole [SB0994 Detail]
Download: Michigan-2015-SB0994-Introduced.html
SENATE BILL No. 994
May 25, 2016, Introduced by Senator CASPERSON and referred to the Committee on Transportation.
A bill to amend 1945 PA 327, entitled
"Aeronautics code of the state of Michigan,"
by amending sections 8 and 9 (MCL 259.8 and 259.9), as amended by
2002 PA 35, and by adding section 97.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:
Sec. 8. As used in this act:
(a) "Seaplane" means an aircraft that is capable of landing
and taking off on the water.
(b) "Seaplane base" means an area of water used or intended to
be used for the landing and takeoff of aircraft, together with
appurtenant shoreside buildings and facilities.
(c) "Small unmanned aircraft" means an unmanned aircraft that
weighs less than 55 pounds.
(d) (c)
"State approach surface"
means an imaginary plane
longitudinally centered on the extended runway centerline and
extending outward and upward from each end of the state primary
surface.
(e) (d)
"State primary surface"
means a surface longitudinally
centered on a runway. For a paved runway, the state primary surface
extends
200 feet beyond each end of that runway. for For
an unpaved
runway or a planned paved runway, the state primary surface ends at
each end of that runway. The elevation of any point on the state
primary surface is the same as the elevation of the nearest point
on the runway centerline. The width of a state primary surface is
as follows:
(i) One hundred feet for basic utility airports.
(ii) Two hundred and fifty feet for general utility airports.
Sec. 9. As used in this act:
(a) "Taxi" means the moving of an aircraft under its own power
either
on the ground or on the surface of the water, prior to
before the beginning of the take-off run and after the end of the
landing run.
(b) "Temporary commercial operations" means any commercial
operation
conducted for a period of not to exceed more than 120
days per calendar year.
(c)
"Ultralight" means an aircraft meeting that meets the
requirements
of 14 C.F.R. CFR part 103.
(d) "Unmanned aircraft system" means an unmanned aircraft and
associated elements, including communication links and the
components that control the unmanned aircraft, that are required
for the pilot in command to operate safely and efficiently in the
national airspace system.
(e) (d)
"Vehicle" means any
device in, upon, on, or by which a
person or property is or may be transported, except an aircraft.
Sec. 97. (1) The unmanned aircraft systems task force is
created to develop statewide policy recommendations on the
operation, use, and regulation of unmanned aircraft systems in this
state.
(2) Within 90 days after the effective date of the amendatory
act that added this section, the governor shall appoint members of
the unmanned aircraft systems task force. The individuals appointed
must comprise 1 member from each of the following agencies or
interest groups:
(a) A member from the department nominated by the director of
the state transportation department.
(b) A member from the division of the state transportation
department that performs bridge inspections and road work,
nominated by the director of the state transportation department.
(c) A member from the department of state police, nominated by
the director of the department of state police.
(d) A member from the department of natural resources,
nominated by the director of the department of natural resources.
(e) A member from the department of agriculture and rural
development, nominated by the director of the department of
agriculture and rural development.
(f) A member from the department of licensing and regulatory
affairs nominated by the director of the department of licensing
and regulatory affairs.
(g) An unmanned aircraft systems technical commercial
representative.
(h) An unmanned aircraft systems manufacturing industry
representative.
(i) A member who is licensed by the Federal Aviation
Administration to operate a small unmanned aircraft system.
(j) A member of a statewide agricultural association,
nominated by the president of the association.
(k) A member of a statewide retail association, nominated by
the president of the association.
(l) A member of a statewide manufacturing trade association,
nominated by the president or chief executive officer of the
association.
(m) A member of a statewide property and casualty insurance
association, nominated by the president or chief executive officer
of the association.
(n) A member of a statewide association that represents real
estate brokers licensed in this state, nominated by the president
of the association.
(o) A member of a statewide surveying association, nominated
by the president of the association.
(p) A law enforcement official from a municipality, nominated
by a statewide police chiefs association.
(q) A member of a statewide freight railroad association,
nominated by the president of the association.
(r) A member of a statewide broadcasters association,
nominated by the president of the association.
(3) Nominations to the unmanned aircraft systems task force
must be submitted to the governor within 60 days after the
effective date of the amendatory act that added this section. The
governor shall make the appointments within 30 days after the close
of nominations. The terms of the appointments are until submission
of the report of comprehensive recommendations under subsection
(10). The member from the department shall chair the unmanned
aircraft systems task force and serve as a liaison to the governor
and the standing committees in the house and senate that mainly
deal with transportation issues. The unmanned aircraft systems task
force shall meet as necessary to complete the duties of the task
force. Meetings of the unmanned aircraft systems task force must be
held in the central part of this state.
(4) A majority of the members of the unmanned aircraft systems
task force constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at a
meeting of the task force. A majority of the members present and
serving are required for official action of the task force.
(5) The unmanned aircraft systems task force shall conduct its
business at public meetings of the task force held in compliance
with the open meetings act, 1976 PA 267, MCL 15.261 to 15.275.
(6) A writing prepared, owned, used, in the possession of, or
retained by the unmanned aircraft systems task force in the
performance of an official function is subject to the freedom of
information act, 1976 PA 442, MCL 15.231 to 15.246.
(7) The members of the unmanned aircraft systems task force
must receive no compensation for serving as members of the task
force.
(8) The unmanned aircraft systems task force shall consider
commercial and private uses of unmanned aircraft systems, landowner
and privacy rights, as well as general rules and regulations for
safe operation of unmanned aircraft systems, and prepare
comprehensive recommendations for the safe and lawful operation of
unmanned aircraft systems in this state.
(9) The department shall provide administrative support to the
unmanned aircraft systems task force.
(10) The unmanned aircraft systems task force shall submit a
report with recommendations to the governor and the standing
committees in the house and senate that mainly deal with
transportation issues within 3 months after the first meeting of
the task force.
Enacting section 1. This amendatory act takes effect 90 days
after the date it is enacted into law.
Enacting section 2. This amendatory act does not take effect
unless Senate Bill No. 432 of the 98th Legislature is enacted into
law.
