Bill Overview
Title: Counter-UAS Authority Extension and Transparency Enhancement Act of 2022
Description: This bill extends and revises provisions related to the protection of certain facilities and assets from unmanned aircraft. Authority under the bill terminates on October 1, 2023.
Sponsors: Rep. Nadler, Jerrold [D-NY-10]
Target Audience
Population: people impacted by the Counter-UAS Authority Extension and Transparency Enhancement Act
Estimated Size: 500000
- Counter-UAS regulations typically affect facilities and assets such as airports, military bases, government installations, and critical infrastructure that are protected from potential drone-related incidents.
- Regulations on unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) impact a variety of stakeholders, including UAS manufacturers, operators, commercial drone users, and hobbyists.
- Specific industries such as delivery services using drones, media companies, and agricultural sectors could be impacted due to changes in how and where drones can be operated.
- The general public will be indirectly impacted in terms of safety and privacy concerns related to the operation and regulation of drones.
Reasoning
- The Counter-UAS policy primarily impacts those in industries reliant on drone operations, such as agriculture or delivery services. It also impacts security and safety around sensitive facilities like airports and government buildings.
- Given a budget of $50,000,000 annually, the policy likely focuses on high-priority areas (e.g., critical infrastructure) rather than wide-scale civilian usage.
- The general population might not realize the impact immediately, but targeted communities near regulation zones (e.g., near military bases) could see more significant effects.
- For industries like delivery, the policy may limit growth opportunities, resulting in potential negative impacts on businesses planning to expand using drone technology.
- In the agricultural sector, drone technology plays a role in advanced monitoring and crop management; restrictions could alter operational efficiencies.
Simulated Interviews
Farmer (Texas)
Age: 35 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Drones have been really helpful in monitoring my crops efficiently. This policy might mean I'll have to adjust how I use them, which could increase costs.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 7 |
Drone Delivery Startup Owner (California)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Regulations could really slow down the scaling of my business. We rely on being able to operate in various areas and this could limit our scope.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 9 |
Airport Security Manager (New York)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy enhances the safety protocols at our airport, giving us more control and security against drones.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Freelance Photographer (Florida)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Drone restrictions could limit my shooting locations, affecting my business flexibility and income.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 9 |
Congressional Aide (Washington D.C.)
Age: 52 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think the policy is necessary for ensuring national security. It might have some economic impact, but safety comes first.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Environmental Scientist (Colorado)
Age: 39 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Drones are crucial for our data collection. Tightened regulations could hamper our research capabilities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 9 |
Military Personnel (Nevada)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy is essential for preventing unauthorized drone interference with base operations, enhancing operational security.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Hobbyist Drone Operator (North Carolina)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I worry this policy might suddenly restrict my ability to fly drones for leisure in areas I previously have.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 8 |
Tech Innovator (Arizona)
Age: 32 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could limit innovation and testing environments crucial for developing new UAV technologies.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 8 |
Public Safety Officer (New Mexico)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Improved capabilities to manage unauthorized drones increase community safety, which is a major plus of this policy.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $50000000 (Low: $30000000, High: $70000000)
Year 2: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 3: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 5: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The policy aims to bolster security at critical infrastructure and facilities by managing drone activities but is only extended until October 1, 2023.
- Any cost estimates must account for the limited effective duration of under a year, impacting cost-benefit analyses.
- CBO anticipates modest direct financial impacts given the temporary nature of the policy's authority and scope.