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S. 1249: Drone Integration and Zoning Act

119th Congress · introduced 2025-04-02 · Transportation and Public Works · Latest: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

federal

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Official title

Drone Integration and Zoning Act

Plain summary

Drone Integration and Zoning Act This bill requires the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to prescribe regulations or standards related to unmanned aircraft systems (i.e., drones) and allow limited state and local regulation of drones. The FAA must designate the area between 200 feet and 400 feet above ground level for use by (1) civil drones, and (2) commercial and recreational drones. The bill prohibits the FAA from authorizing the operation of civil drones within 200 feet above ground level above private property without the property owner's permission. For structures above this level, the FAA may not authorize civil drone operations (1) within 50 feet of the top of the structure, or (2) within 200 feet laterally or inside the property line, whichever is closer to the structure, with exceptions. Further, the bill specifies that the FAA must preserve state, local, and tribal authority to issue reasonable restrictions on the time, manner, and place of operation of drones below 200 feet above ground level. The bill includes additional exceptions to federal preemption requirements allowing for these entities to regulate specific drone activities. The FAA must also establish a process for the designation of authorized commercial routes , which must be at least 200 feet above ground level. The Department of Transportation must also establish a process for state, local, and tribal authorities to apply for a designation of complex airspace . This designation for an area allows the FAA to assign these entities with designated responsibilities for the management of drone operations.

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in Senate), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

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What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

Drone Integration and Zoning Act

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in Senate)

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Officials and money

Sponsor: Sen. Lee, Mike [R-UT] · 0 cosponsors

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Words on this page, explained (1)
Bill
A proposed law. It becomes law only if it passes the legislature and is signed by the president or governor (or a veto is overridden).

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Record fed-us-cong119-s1249 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong119 · updated 2026-11-03 by psicol fed-bills