Test Drive Our New Site! We have some improvements in the works that we're excited for you to experience. Click here to try our new, faster, mobile friendly beta site. We will be maintaining our current version of the site thru the end of 2024, so you can switch back as our improvements continue.
Legislation Quick Search
Advanced Search
Pennsylvania State Senate
08/16/2024 07:23 PM
Pennsylvania State Senate
https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?SPick=20230&chamber=S&cosponId=43056
Share:
Home / Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

Subscribe to PaLegis Notifications
NEW!

Subscribe to receive notifications of new Co-Sponsorship Memos circulated

By Member | By Date | Keyword Search


Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2023 - 2024 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted: August 15, 2024 04:30 PM
From: Senator Wayne Langerholc, Jr.
To: All Senate members
Subject: Interstate Compact for Drone Research and Deployment
 
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania can be a tremendous leader in the next generation of delivering critical goods and services by Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) or drones.
 
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recognized the Alaska Center for UAS Integration (ACUASI) as a proven test site on how drones can help save lives in remote areas. The FAA designated, at least, seven other UAS test sites across the nation with the main objective to verify the safe operations of UAS in the National Airspace System. ACUASI is well-positioned to partner with other States, and the Commonwealth must act now to secure our strategic role in this exciting evolution of our aviation system.
 
This bold vision is within reach thanks to the integral leadership of Cambria County’s Department of Emergency Services, Somerset County’s Department of Emergency Services, John Murtha Johnstown-Cambria County Airport, Saint Francis University, Indiana University of Pennsylvania and more. In fact, a new Federal grant will build a sophisticated network of sensors for Cambria County’s first responders to air-drop emergency medical supplies, which can help fight the opioid epidemic in rural Pennsylvania. The immediate plan involves an FAA test site in Cambria County with Alaska’s expertise, which will transcend into neighboring counties. This is only a starting point.
 
My legislation will establish an interstate compact with, at least, the State of Alaska to integrate the Commonwealth in a long-range relationship for UAS safety, testing, training and education. With this framework, we will create a forward-thinking partnership to enhance public safety, evolve the aviation workforce and inspire business development across Pennsylvania.
 
Please join me in supporting this legislation to supplant the Commonwealth’s pioneering role in the revolution of flight to solve real-world challenges with unrivaled drone technology.