Drone Aircraft Privacy and Transparency Act of 2015
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (6 Mar 2015): Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade.
What this bill does
H.R. 1229, the Drone Aircraft Privacy and Transparency Act of 2015, would amend the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 to add privacy and transparency requirements as unmanned aircraft systems (drones) are integrated into U.S. airspace. It would require a federal study and report on privacy risks posed by drones, direct the FAA to build privacy protections into its rulemaking, and require anyone applying to operate a drone to submit a data collection statement (and, for law enforcement, a data minimization statement) describing what information will be collected, how it will be used, stored, shared, and destroyed. The FAA would have to publicly post approved authorizations, operating details, data breaches, and these statements online. Government use of drones for law enforcement or intelligence surveillance would generally require a warrant, with limited exceptions for emergencies.
The bill affects federal regulators (FAA, Commerce Department, FTC, DHS), state and local governments, law enforcement agencies, drone manufacturers/operators, and the public. It creates enforcement mechanisms through the FTC, state attorneys general, and a private right of action allowing individuals harmed by violations to sue for damages, and it allows license revocation for noncompliance.
The bill was introduced in the House on March 3, 2015, referred to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure and Energy and Commerce, and did not receive a vote before the end of the 114th Congress, meaning it did not become law.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Drone Aircraft Privacy and Transparency Act of 2015
Amends the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 to direct the Secretary of Transportation to study and identify any potential threats to privacy protections posed by the integration of unmanned aircraft (drone) systems into the national airspace system, including any potential violations of privacy principles.
Directs the Secretary to establish certain procedures to allow for civil operation in the national airspace system of small drone systems that do not meet expedited operational authorization requirements. Requires such procedures to ensure that the integration of drone systems into the national airspace system is done in compliance with privacy principles.
Prohibits the Secretary from approving, issuing, or awarding any certificate, license, or other grant of authority to operate a drone system in the national airspace system unless the application for it includes a data collection statement, meeting certain requirements, that provides reasonable assurance that the applicant will operate the drone system in accordance with privacy principles. Applies the same privacy principles requirement to any drone system to be operated by a law enforcement agency or a law enforcement agency contractor or subcontractor, except that the application for it shall include a data minimization statement, meeting certain requirements, instead of a data collection statement.
Directs the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to make any approved certificate, license, or other grant of authority, plus other specified information, available in a searchable format on the public FAA website.
Prohibits a governmental entity from using a drone system, or requesting information or data collected by another entity through use of a drone system, for protective activities, or for law enforcement or intelligence purposes, except pursuant to a warrant issued using the procedures described in the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure (or, in the case of a state court, issued using state warrant procedures) by a court of competent jurisdiction, or as permitted under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978. Makes an exception to this prohibition in exigent circumstances when a law enforcement entity reasonably believes there is: (1) an imminent danger of death or serious physical injury; or (2) a high risk of an imminent terrorist attack by a specific individual or organization, according to the Secretary of Homeland Security .
Makes it unlawful to operate a drone system in a manner that is not in accordance with the terms of a data collection statement or in a manner violating any portion of the final rule for the procedures for civil operation of small drone systems required by this Act. Grants enforcement authority to the Federal Trade Commission .
Authorizes a state to bring a civil action on behalf of state residents in state or U.S. district court for injunctive relief against violations of this Act or related regulations if the state attorney general has reason to believe that an interest of state residents has been or is threatened or adversely affected by a prohibited act or practice.
Timeline
6 Mar 2015
Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 1229 do?
- H.R. 1229, the Drone Aircraft Privacy and Transparency Act of 2015, would amend the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 to add privacy and transparency requirements as unmanned aircraft systems (drones) are integrated into U.S. airspace. It would require a federal study and report on privacy risks posed by drones, direct the FAA to build privacy protections into its rulemaking, and require anyone applying to operate a drone to submit a data collection statement (and, for law enforcement, a data minimization statement) describing what information will be collected, how it will be used, stored, shared, and destroyed. The FAA would have to publicly post approved authorizations, operating details, data breaches, and these statements online. Government use of drones for law enforcement or intelligence surveillance would generally require a warrant, with limited exceptions for emergencies. The bill affects federal regulators (FAA, Commerce Department, FTC, DHS), state and local governments, law enforcement agencies, drone manufacturers/operators, and the public. It creates enforcement mechanisms through the FTC, state attorneys general, and a private right of action allowing individuals harmed by violations to sue for damages, and it allows license revocation for noncompliance. The bill was introduced in the House on March 3, 2015, referred to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure and Energy and Commerce, and did not receive a vote before the end of the 114th Congress, meaning it did not become law.
- Has H.R. 1229 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for H.R. 1229. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored H.R. 1229?
- H.R. 1229 was sponsored by Rep. Welch, Peter [D-VT-At Large] (D-VT), with 3 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 1229?
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade. (6 Mar 2015).
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