Washington and the drone industry: legislation, procurement, security reviews, and agency policy beyond the FAA.
This Week on Drone50: House Bill 41 and Its Impact on Public Safety Welcome back to the latest update in public safety on Drone 5-0 Discussions. Today, we’re diving into a “let’s fix a problem that might not even exist” moment. In the next five minutes, I’ll break down House Bill 41, explain how it…
A new U.S. Senate bill, S.1249, the Drone Integration and Zoning Act, introduced on April 2, 2025, by Senator Mike Lee of Utah, seeks to redefine low-altitude airspace management, potentially reshaping the drone industry. The legislation proposes granting states, local governments, and private property owners authority over airspace up to 200 feet above ground level…
In a move that could transform last-mile logistics in South Texas, Amazon has filed a zoning request with the City of San Antonio to establish a Prime Air Drone Delivery Center at its sprawling East Side robotics fulfillment facility. The proposal, detailed in a filing with the city, aims to convert a 9,400-square-foot section of…
On Monday, Democratic Representatives Rick Larsen and Bennie Thompson raised urgent questions about the U.S. Secret Service’s deployment of counter-drone technology near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), citing its role in triggering erroneous air traffic alerts last month. In a sharply worded letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem and Transportation…
Syracuse, New York, is poised to launch a pioneering “Drone as First Responder” program, expanding from high-priority 911 calls to any incident deemed to enhance public safety, according to a City Hall news release. Backed by a $619,000 budget for five drones, the initiative promises to bolster police efficiency amid staffing shortages but has sparked…
On April 7, 2025, Oregon’s Senate Judiciary Committee voted 5-1 to advance Senate Bill 238, a proposal to broaden police drone use for 911 calls, suspect pursuits, and search operations, according to OregonLive. The bill, now headed to the Senate floor, aims to align Oregon with states like California and New York, where law enforcement…
First, Zipline expands its drone delivery services into Texas. Next, NASA is developing a new system to predict drone hazards before they occur.
The Bow Police Department in New Hampshire will soon add an advanced drone system to its public safety arsenal, a move approved by the town’s select board to address critical response time challenges. The $9,713 investment will come from surplus funds resulting from three vacant positions within the department, reports The Concord Monitor. Police Chief…
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