Overview
Title
To provide for coordinated Federal efforts to accelerate civilian unmanned aircraft systems and advanced air mobility research and development for economic and national security, and for other purposes.
ELI5 AI
H.R. 3560 is a plan to help make flying drones and little flying cars better and safer for everyone by having different government groups work together, even though some people worry it might not use money wisely or be fair to everyone who makes these cool machines.
Summary AI
H.R. 3560 aims to coordinate federal efforts to speed up research and development of civilian unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and advanced air mobility technologies for economic and national security purposes. The bill includes the establishment of interagency working groups, research institutes, and partnerships across various agencies to focus on safety, security, and the development of manufacturing and workforce capabilities for these technologies. This legislation also sets guidelines for domestic production and restricts the use of advanced air mobility and UAS from countries of concern unless for government-approved research and development purposes.
Published
Keywords AI
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Bill Statistics
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Complexity
AnalysisAI
Summary of the Bill
The bill, titled the "National Drone and Advanced Air Mobility Research and Development Act," aims to enhance the coordination of federal efforts in the research and development of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and advanced air mobility. Its goals include boosting the U.S. economy and national security by fostering technological advancements in air mobility and drones. The legislation involves multiple federal agencies such as NASA, the Department of Energy, and the Department of Homeland Security, each with specific roles in advancing these technologies. It encompasses a wide range of activities, from establishing industries and research institutes to implementing national competitions and countermeasures against Unmanned Aircraft Systems.
Significant Issues
Throughout the bill, several issues have been raised. A primary concern is the lack of specific performance metrics and defined outcomes across several sections. This could lead to potential inefficiencies and misuse of funds as there are no clear guidelines for assessing the success of programs. Additionally, the bill broadly authorizes substantial budgets without detailed financial breakdowns, suggesting potential wasteful spending. Moreover, by promoting domestic manufacturing and supply chains, there is a risk of favoritism towards certain companies or regions without equitable distribution criteria.
Another issue involves the potential geographic bias in selecting institutions for the Department of Homeland Security's Counter-UAS center. Furthermore, terms such as "advanced air mobility" are undefined, which could create ambiguity and confusion about the bill's scope. Lastly, the waiver process in Section 1001 allows undue discretion, possibly leading to non-transparent decisions.
Public Impact
Broadly speaking, the bill could significantly impact how air mobility evolves in the United States. Greater research and development in unmanned aircraft systems can lead to innovation in sectors such as agriculture, transportation, and public safety, potentially transforming these industries. Moreover, emphasis on domestic manufacturing could result in job creation and growth in local economies.
However, if the bill's funding allocations are not scrutinized and effectively managed, there is a risk of taxpayer money being spent inefficiently. The public may also be concerned about privacy and safety aspects that arise from increased drone usage, despite the bill's attempts to address these issues.
Impact on Stakeholders
The legislation could positively impact researchers and academic institutions by providing them with significant funding and opportunities for collaboration. It also benefits federal agencies aiming to foster innovation while enhancing national security through better counter-drone capabilities.
Private companies and manufacturers stand to gain from incentives promoting domestic production, although the lack of specific criteria could lead to uneven opportunities. Conversely, entities in regions not favored geographically might feel disadvantaged by the selection criteria for hosting new research centers.
Moreover, public stakeholders, like communities and states, could see improvements in infrastructure and local economies due to increased investment and development. However, the potential for favoritism and lack of transparent mechanisms to oversee allocations and decisions could lead to skepticism and reduced trust in the bill's efficacy.
In conclusion, while the bill has the potential to facilitate technological advancements and strengthen the U.S. economy, careful implementation and oversight are crucial to mitigating its identified issues and ensuring that the benefits reach all intended stakeholders fairly.
Financial Assessment
The bill H.R. 3560 outlines significant financial allocations aimed at accelerating research and development in civilian unmanned aircraft systems and advanced air mobility technologies for economic and national security purposes.
Summary of Financial Allocations
The bill proposes substantial financial appropriations across various federal agencies and initiatives. Specifically, it authorizes: - $5,000,000 annually from fiscal years 2024 to 2028 for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to support the National Drone and Advanced Air Mobility Research Institutes. - A progressive appropriation for the National Institute of Standards and Technology, starting at $20,000,000 in fiscal year 2024 and increasing to $24,310,125 by fiscal year 2028. - Incremental funding for the National Science Foundation, starting at $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2024, reaching up to $60,775,863 for fiscal year 2028. - Consistent annual allocations of $6,000,000 from fiscal years 2024 to 2028 for a National Student Unmanned Aircraft Systems Competition Program, a portion of which is allocated for program administration and grants. - The Department of Energy, receiving between $50,000,000 and $60,775,863 yearly from fiscal years 2024 to 2028 for research activities.
Analysis of Financial References and Related Issues
The bill's financial allocations align with several issues identified:
Potential Wasteful Spending: The broad authorization of substantial budgets without detailed financial breakdowns could lead to inefficient use of resources. Each agency sees a consistent yearly increase in their budget, which some may view as lacking detailed justification for such significant financial growth. This connects to concerns over potential wasteful spending and lack of detailed justification for financial allocations (Section 501, Section 601, Section 701).
Lack of Performance Metrics: Overarching goals without specific performance metrics or evaluation criteria lead to accountability issues. The bill's financial allocations do not outline clear measures for success, raising concerns about potential inefficiencies and misuse of funds (Section 101, Section 103, Section 201, Section 401).
Potential for Favoritism: Emphasis on promoting domestic manufacturing and supply chains could inadvertently favor certain companies. Without clear criteria for how financial incentives or support are distributed, this creates a potential bias toward particular industries or regions as they may become the primary beneficiaries of federal allocations (Section 4, Section 302).
Geographic Preference in Funding Criteria: Specific mention of geographic preferences in selecting host institutions for DHS’s Counter-UAS center of excellence (Section 701) may limit fair competition and lead to an uneven distribution of the financial benefits.
Waiver Process Transparency: The waiver process (Section 1001) grants significant discretion, allowing the Secretary of Commerce to bypass the limitations on foreign-produced system acquisition. This exception process may lead to non-transparent financial decisions, potentially favoring certain entities or foreign interests, which could conflict with the intention of supporting domestic initiatives.
Overall, while the bill outlines ambitious financial allocations to boost the UAS sector, it also reveals potential pitfalls related to oversight, transparency, and equitable distribution of resources. These issues highlight the need for more explicit guidelines, performance measures, and strategic transparency in financial management.
Issues
The definition and promotion of voluntary consensus technical standards and best practices for unmanned aircraft systems and advanced air mobility (Section 2, Section 4, Section 301) could lead to favoritism and lack transparency in developing these standards and ensuring compliance across the industry.
Lack of specific performance metrics, evaluation criteria, and defined outcomes in several sections (Section 101, Section 103, Section 201, Section 401) may result in potential inefficiencies, misuse of funds, and accountability issues without clear guidelines for success or assessment.
The broad authorization of substantial budgets without detailed breakdowns, including notable increases each fiscal year (Section 501, Section 601, Section 701), suggests potential wasteful spending and lack of detailed justification for financial allocations.
The emphasis on promoting domestic manufacturing and supply chains (Section 4, Section 302) could potentially lead to favoritism towards certain companies or regions without clear criteria or methods for equitable distribution of incentives or support.
The selection criteria that give geographic preference to certain host institutions for the Department of Homeland Security's Counter-UAS center of excellence (Section 701) may inadvertently favor some institutions over others without a clear rationale, potentially limiting fair competition.
The bill's use of undefined or loosely defined terms such as 'advanced air mobility' and 'unmanned aircraft systems' (Sections 3, 4, 401) could cause ambiguity and confusion regarding the scope and focus of various initiatives and efforts.
Potential lack of oversight and accountability mechanisms, in particular for public-private partnerships and technology transfer processes (Section 902, Section 603), poses the risk of favoritism or inefficient use of resources without defined protocols or transparency.
The waiver process allowing exceptions from restrictions on the acquisition of foreign-produced systems (Section 1001) grants significant discretion which might lead to non-transparent decisions that could favor certain parties.
Sections
Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.
1. Short title; table of contents Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The National Drone and Advanced Air Mobility Research and Development Act outlines its structure and contents in this section, including various titles and sections dedicated to research and development efforts by different U.S. government departments and agencies, such as the National Science Foundation, NASA, and the Department of Energy, to advance drone technology and its applications.
2. Findings Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
Congress identifies the potential of unmanned aircraft systems and advanced air mobility to transform various sectors of the economy but emphasizes the need for research and development, safety and security measures, and the creation of technical standards. They also stress the importance of investing in domestic manufacturing and securing supply chains to meet demand and reduce reliance on foreign-made systems.
3. Definitions Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
In this section, several terms are defined for the purposes of the Act. Key definitions include "advanced air mobility," which involves transporting people and goods using advanced aircraft technologies; "agency head," referring to the leader of any Executive agency; and "counter-UAS system," which is defined as per existing U.S. legal code. Other terms encompass "Institute," "institution of higher education," "Interagency Working Group," and "labor organization," with some extending existing definitions to include additional contexts.
4. Purposes Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The purpose of this section is to ensure the United States leads in advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems by supporting research and development, improving government coordination, promoting domestic manufacturing, enhancing public safety and workforce readiness, and encouraging collaboration among various sectors. It also focuses on setting standards and applying lessons from unmanned aircraft systems to improve air mobility technologies.
101. Interagency working group Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section establishes an interagency working group led by the National Science and Technology Council to coordinate federal efforts on advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems. This group will develop research plans, improve communication with stakeholders, and report its activities and progress to Congress regularly.
102. Strategic research plan Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section outlines the creation of a strategic plan for research and development of advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems by an interagency working group. This plan will focus on setting priorities for research, supporting educational and collaborative efforts, ensuring national security, and facilitating technology transfer, with periodic reviews by the National Academies and opportunities for public input.
103. Counter-UAS research plan Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section requires the creation of a plan by an interagency group for researching and developing systems to detect and counter Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). This plan will establish priorities for the next 10 years, support workforce training, and encourage partnerships among government, industry, and academia to advance UAS countermeasure technologies.
104. National drone technology center Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The bill proposes the creation of a national drone technology center by the Secretary of Commerce, in collaboration with other federal leaders, to enhance research and development in unmanned aircraft systems. The center will focus on improving domestic capabilities in areas like advanced testing, materials testing, virtual maintenance, security, and job creation in the drone industry.
105. GAO study on foreign drones Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The Comptroller General is tasked with studying the Federal Government's use of foreign-made drones, which includes examining the size of the drone fleet, the involvement of foreign entities, operational practices, potential domestic sources for drones, and assessing risks like safety and cybersecurity. The findings from this study must be reported to Congress within one year of the law's enactment.
201. National Drone and Advanced Air Mobility Research Institutes Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The bill section allows NASA to set up a program that funds research institutes focused on drone and advanced air mobility technology. These institutes will work on various projects, including ethical and safety issues, supporting education and workforce development, and creating partnerships between different organizations, with the goal of advancing drone and mobility technology in the U.S.
Money References
- (c) Authorization of appropriations.—There is authorized to be appropriated to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration $5,000,000 in each of fiscal years 2024 through 2028 to carry out the activities authorized in section 201(a). ---
301. National Institute of Standards and Technology activities Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section outlines the roles and responsibilities of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in supporting measurement science research and developing standards for advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems. It includes promoting collaboration with various stakeholders, conducting prize competitions to encourage innovation in drone technology, and authorizing specific funding amounts for these activities from 2024 to 2028.
Money References
- (3) PRIZE AMOUNT.—In carrying out the program under paragraph (1), the Director may award not more than a total of $2,250,000 to one or more winners of the prize competition.
- (d) Authorization of appropriations.—There are authorized to be appropriated to the National Institute of Standards and Technology to carry out this section— (1) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2024; (2) $21,000,000 for fiscal year 2025; (3) $22,050,000 for fiscal year 2026; (4) $23,152,500 for fiscal year 2027; and (5) $24,310,125 for fiscal year 2028. ---
302. National Institute of Standards and Technology manufacturing activities Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section outlines how the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) aims to boost American leadership in advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems by improving domestic manufacturing capabilities and supply chains. It includes plans for selecting important technology topics, surveying manufacturing capabilities, and updating existing programs to support manufacturing of these systems.
401. National Science Foundation activities Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section outlines activities the National Science Foundation (NSF) will support related to advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems. These activities include funding research and STEM education, developing new technologies, ensuring cybersecurity, understanding ethical implications, and workforce development, with a focus on creating partnerships and providing substantial annual funding for these initiatives from 2024 to 2028.
Money References
- (d) Authorization of appropriations.—There are authorized to be appropriated to the National Science Foundation to carry out this section— (1) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2024; (2) $52,500,000 for fiscal year 2025; (3) $55,125,000 for fiscal year 2026; (4) $57,881,775 for fiscal year 2027; and (5) $60,775,863 for fiscal year 2028.
501. National Aeronautics and Space Administration activities Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section outlines the responsibilities of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in coordinating with various agencies and organizations to research and develop technologies for integrating drones and advanced air mobility systems safely into the U.S. airspace. It emphasizes collaboration on standards, systems for avoiding bad weather and other aircraft, and using drones for public good examples like disaster monitoring while ensuring safe operations beyond visual line of sight.
502. National student unmanned aircraft systems competition program Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The bill establishes a national program for high school and college students to compete in designing and building unmanned aircraft systems, led by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). It includes funding and guidelines for competitions, aiming to engage diverse and underserved communities, incorporate STEM education, and provide insights for future consideration of the program.
Money References
- (h) Authorization of appropriations.—There is authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator $6,000,000 in each of fiscal years 2024 through 2028 to carry out the pilot program in this section.
- Of the funds authorized— (1) $1,000,000 per year shall be for the pilot program competition administrator in subsection (b); and (2) $5,000,000 per year shall be awarded for grants to carry out competitions under the pilot program in subsection (d).
601. Department of Energy research activities Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The bill outlines the Department of Energy's plan to advance unmanned aircraft systems through research and development. It includes goals such as improving technology, offering student training, fostering innovation in areas like sensor technologies and cybersecurity, and leveraging these systems for diverse applications like energy resource assessment and infrastructure monitoring, with appropriations increasing annually from 2024 to 2028 totaling over $276 million.
Money References
- (f) Authorization of appropriations.—There are authorized to be appropriated to the Department to carry out this section— (1) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2024; (2) $52,500,000 for fiscal year 2025; (3) $55,125,000 for fiscal year 2026; (4) $57,881,775 for fiscal year 2027; and (5) $60,775,863 for fiscal year 2028.
701. Department of Homeland Security activities Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The bill outlines the Department of Homeland Security's plans to support and coordinate research and development for advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems, focusing on security, countermeasure capabilities, and data management, while also suggesting the establishment of a counter-UAS Center of Excellence. It authorizes funding for these activities, specifying sums for fiscal years 2024 through 2028 and mandates collaboration with other government agencies, academia, and private sectors.
Money References
- — (A) FISCAL YEAR 2024.—There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2024 for making awards under this subsection.
- (B) FISCAL YEARS 2025 THROUGH 2028.—There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary $5,000,000 in each of fiscal years 2025 through 2028 for making awards under this subsection.
- (c) Authorization of appropriations.—There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section— (1) $30,000,000 for fiscal year 2024; (2) $31,500,000 for fiscal year 2025; (3) $33,075,000 for fiscal year 2026; (4) $34,728,750 for fiscal year 2027; and (5) $36,465,187 for fiscal year 2028.
801. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration research and development Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is tasked with advancing research and development in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) to improve environmental data collection and support climate and weather monitoring efforts. This involves collaborating with various stakeholders, prioritizing cost-effective operations, supporting technology transfers, and providing educational opportunities, with authorized funding and coordination with other federal efforts.
Money References
- (f) Coordination.—The Administrator shall coordinate the activities authorized in this section with the activities authorized in section 3 of the Commercial Engagement Through Ocean Technology Act of 2018 (33 U.S.C. 4102) and engage with other Federal departments and agencies, research communities, nongovernmental organizations, and industry stakeholders through the interagency committee established by section 103. (g) Support of institutes.—For the purposes of subsection (a), the Administrator may support relevant activities at one or more Institutes as described in section 201(a) of this Act for the purpose of advancing the field of unmanned aircraft systems. (h) Authorization of appropriations.—There are authorized to be appropriated to the Administration to carry out this section— (1) $15,000,000 for fiscal year 2024; (2) $15,750,000 for fiscal year 2025; (3) $16,537,500 for fiscal year 2026; (4) $17,364,375 for fiscal year 2027; and (5) $18,232,593 for fiscal year 2028.
901. Federal Aviation Administration research and development Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section details the responsibilities of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in working with NASA and other federal agencies on research and development for advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems. It includes developing standards and safety measures, applying lessons from past research, evaluating risks of new technologies, and providing a report on progress to congressional committees within 9 months.
902. Partnerships for research, development, demonstration, and testing Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The Administrator is tasked with partnering with the National Academy of Public Administration to study how different partnerships can help improve and safely integrate unmanned aircraft systems. This study will look at existing partnerships, explore how they benefit research and development, and suggest ways to improve and fund these collaborations, with particular attention to involving underrepresented groups and sharing research results with the public and industry.
903. UAS test ranges and operations Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The text outlines changes to Title 49 of the United States Code, extending certain provisions related to unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) operations and test ranges until 2028. It expands the scope of UAS traffic management, includes new concepts within controlled airspace, and emphasizes workforce development through apprenticeships. Additionally, it requires a report on the progress of these initiatives to be submitted to Congress within 180 days of the Act's enactment.
904. Authorization of appropriations Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section authorizes specific amounts of money for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to conduct research and development from fiscal years 2024 to 2028, starting at $20 million in 2024 and increasing each year. Additionally, it allocates $1 million for partnerships related to research, development, demonstration, and testing.
Money References
- (a) Federal aviation administration research and development funding.—There are authorized to be appropriated to the Administration to carry out section 901— (1) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2024; (2) $21,000,000 for fiscal year 2025; (3) $22,050,000 for fiscal year 2026; (4) $23,152,500 for fiscal year 2027; and (5) $24,310,125 for fiscal year 2028.
- (b) Partnerships for research, development, demonstration, and testing.—There is authorized to be appropriated to the Administration $1,000,000 to carry out section 902. ---
905. Definitions Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
In this section, two terms are defined: Administrator refers to the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, and Administration refers to the Federal Aviation Administration itself.
1001. Limitation Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section outlines a restriction on using funds for developing or buying air mobility and drone systems from countries of concern. Exceptions exist for research on improving U.S. security, and the Secretary of Commerce can waive the restriction when it's in the national security interest.