File #: Int 0457-2022    Version: * Name: Authorizing city agencies to operate small remotely piloted aircraft.
Type: Introduction Status: Filed (End of Session)
Committee: Committee on Governmental Operations
On agenda: 5/26/2022
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to authorizing city agencies to operate small remotely piloted aircraft
Sponsors: Keith Powers , Justin L. Brannan, Julie Menin
Council Member Sponsors: 3
Summary: This bill would exempt New York City agencies from take-off and landing restrictions that operate to significantly restrict the permissible use of small drones in the City, for the purposes of using drones to carry out agency functions and duties. No employee or agent of a City agency would be permitted to use drones to carry out agency functions or duties before the head of such agency makes rules authorizing the use of drones by such agency, and such use would be subject to all other applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations.
Indexes: Agency Rule-making Required
Attachments: 1. Summary of Int. No. 457, 2. Int. No. 457, 3. May 26, 2022 - Stated Meeting Agenda, 4. Hearing Transcript - Stated Meeting 5-26-22, 5. Minutes of the Stated Meeting - May 26, 2022

Int. No. 457

 

By Council Members Powers, Brannan and Menin

 

A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to authorizing city agencies to operate small remotely piloted aircraft

 

Be it enacted by the Council as follows:

 

Section 1. Subdivision c of section 10-126 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended to read as follows:

c. Take offs and landings. It shall be unlawful for any person avigating an aircraft to take off or land, except in an emergency or pursuant to section 10-126.1, at any place within the limits of the city other than places of landing designated by the department of transportation or the port of New York authority.

§ 2. Title 10 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended by adding a new section 10-126.1 to read as follows:

§ 10-126.1 Small remotely piloted aircraft. a. Definitions. For purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings:

Remotely piloted device. The term “remotely piloted device” means a device operated without the possibility of direct human intervention from within or on the device.

Small remotely piloted aircraft. The term “small remotely piloted aircraft” means a remotely piloted device that is used or intended to be used for flight in the air, weighing less than 55 pounds on takeoff, including everything that is on board or otherwise attached to the device.

b. Permissible operation; agencies. 1. Pursuant to applicable federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations, an employee or agent of an agency may operate small remotely piloted aircraft to carry out the functions and duties assigned to such agency by law.

2. No person shall operate small remotely piloted aircraft to carry out the functions and duties of an agency before the head of such agency has authorized such operation by rule pursuant to paragraph 3 of this subdivision.

3. Upon a determination by the head of an agency that such agency could benefit from the operation of small remotely piloted aircraft to carry out the functions and duties assigned to such agency by law, such head of agency shall make rules for the operation of small remotely piloted aircraft by such agency. Such rules shall be designed to ensure the safety of persons and property, protection of privacy, and compliance with applicable federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations.

4. This section does not authorize the use of small remotely piloted aircraft in contravention of applicable federal, state and local laws or regulations.

§ 3. This local law takes effect immediately.

 

 

 

 

 

 

NC

LS #1721/2036/3733/6703

4/28/22