Drone Infrastructure Inspection Grant Act
Floor Speech
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Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5315) to direct the Secretary of Transportation to establish in the Department of Transportation a drone infrastructure inspection grant program and a drone education and training grant program, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 5315
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Drone Infrastructure Inspection Grant Act''. SEC. 2. DRONE INFRASTRUCTURE INSPECTION GRANT PROGRAM.
(a) Authority.--The Secretary of Transportation shall establish a drone infrastructure inspection grant program to make grants to governmental entities to facilitate the use of eligible small unmanned aircraft systems to increase efficiency, reduce costs, improve worker and community safety, reduce carbon emissions, or meet other priorities (as determined by the Secretary) related to critical infrastructure projects.
(b) Use of Grant Amounts.--A governmental entity may use a grant provided under this section to--
(1) purchase or lease eligible small unmanned aircraft systems;
(2) support operational capabilities of eligible small unmanned aircraft systems by the governmental entity;
(3) contract for services performed with an eligible small unmanned aircraft system in circumstances in which the governmental entity does not have the resources or expertise to safely carry out or assist in carrying out the activities described under subsection (a); and
(4) support the program management capability of the governmental entity to use an eligible small unmanned aircraft system.
(c) Eligibility.--To be eligible to receive a grant under this section, a governmental entity shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such form, and containing such information as the Secretary may require, including an assurance that the governmental entity or its contractor will comply with relevant federal regulations.
(d) Selection of Applicants.--In selecting an applicant for a grant under this section, the Secretary shall prioritize projects that propose to--
(1) carry out a critical infrastructure project in a historically disadvantaged community; or
(2) address a safety risk in the inspection, operation, maintenance, repair, modernization, or construction of an element of critical infrastructure.
(e) Limitation.--Nothing in this section shall be construed as to interfere with an agreement between a governmental entity and a labor union.
(f) Report to Congress.--Not later than 1 year after the first grant is provided under this section, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report that evaluates the program carried out under this section, including--
(1) a description of the number of grants awarded;
(2) the amount of each grant;
(3) the activities funded under this section; and
(4) the effectiveness of such funded activities in meeting the objectives described in subsection (a).
(g) Funding.--
(1) Federal share.--
(A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the Federal share of the cost of a project carried out using a grant under this section shall not exceed 80 percent of the total project cost.
(B) Waiver.--The Secretary may increase the Federal share requirement under subparagraph (A) to up to 100 percent for a project carried out using a grant under this section by a governmental entity if such entity--
(i) submits a written application to the Secretary requesting an increase in the Federal share; and
(ii) demonstrates that the additional assistance is necessary to facilitate the acceptance and full use of a grant under this section, such as alleviating economic hardship, meeting additional workforce needs, or such other uses that the Secretary determines to be appropriate.
(2) Authorization of appropriations.--There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section--
(A) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2023; and
(B) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2024. SEC. 3. DRONE EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE TRAINING GRANT PROGRAM.
(a) Authority.--The Secretary of Transportation shall establish a drone education and training grant program to make grants to educational institutions for workforce training for eligible small unmanned aircraft system technology.
(b) Use of Grant Amounts.--Amounts from a grant under this section shall be used in furtherance of activities authorized under sections 631 and 632 of the FAA Reauthorization Act 2018 (49 U.S.C. 40101 note).
(c) Eligibility.--To be eligible to receive a grant under this section, an educational institution shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such form, and containing such information as the Secretary may require.
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section--
(1) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2023; and
(2) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2024. SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Critical infrastructure.--The term ``critical infrastructure'' has the meaning given such term in section 1016(e) of the Critical Infrastructures Protection Act of 2001 (42 U.S.C. 5195c(e)).
(2) Critical infrastructure project.--The term ``critical infrastructure project'' means a project for the inspection, operation, maintenance, repair, modernization, or construction of an element of critical infrastructure, including mitigating environmental hazards to such infrastructure.
(3) Covered foreign entity.--The term ``covered foreign entity'' means an entity--
(A) included on the Consolidated Screening List or Entity List as designated by the Secretary of Commerce;
(B) domiciled in the People's Republic of China or the Russian Federation;
(C) subject to influence or control by the government of the People's Republic of China or by the Russian Federation; or
(D) is a subsidiary or affiliate of an entity described in subparagraphs (A) through (C).
(4) Educational institution.--The term ``educational institution'' means an institution of higher education (as defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001)) that participates in a program authorized under sections 631 and 632 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (49 U.S.C. 40101 note).
(5) Element of critical infrastructure.--The term ``element of critical infrastructure'' means a critical infrastructure facility or asset, including public bridges, tunnels, roads, highways, dams, electric grid, water infrastructure, communication systems, pipelines, or other related facilities or assets, as defined by the Secretary.
(6) Eligible small unmanned aircraft system.--The term ``eligible small unmanned aircraft system'' means a small unmanned aircraft system manufactured or assembled by a company that is domiciled in the United States and is not a covered foreign entity.
(7) Governmental entity.--The term ``governmental entity'' means--
(A) a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, a territory of the United States, or a political subdivision thereof;
(B) a unit of local government;
(C) a Tribal Government;
(D) a metropolitan planning organization; or
(E) a combination of the entities described in subparagraphs (A) through (D).
(8) Small unmanned aircraft; unmanned aircraft; unmanned aircraft system.--The terms ``small unmanned aircraft'', ``unmanned aircraft'', and ``unmanned aircraft system'' have the meanings given such terms in section 44801 of title 49, United States Code.
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Ms. NORTON. 5315, as amended.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5315, the Drone Infrastructure Inspection Grant Act, legislation sponsored by Mr. Stanton of Arizona and Mr. Graves from Louisiana.
In recent years, small unmanned systems, also known as drones, have been valuable assets in the inspection, maintenance, and repair of the Nation's critical infrastructure. Drones have many uses, from surveying transmission lines and inspecting bridges, to assessing damage from natural disasters. As this aviation technology continues to evolve, State and local governments should have the opportunity to leverage these systems to help identify and address the growing infrastructure needs across the country.
H.R. 5315 establishes a drone infrastructure inspection grant program and a drone education and workforce training grant program at the U.S. Department of Transportation to help increase efficiency, reduce costs, improve worker safety, and reduce carbon emissions related to critical infrastructure projects.
Specifically, the bill authorizes competitive Department of Transportation grants for State, Tribal, and local governments to purchase, lease, contract for services, or support the operational management of small drones to perform certain infrastructure projects. H.R. 5315 ensures that these Federal funds can only be used for small drone technology manufactured or assembled by a U.S. company, includes safeguards for related labor agreements, and prioritizes projects conducted in historically disadvantaged communities.
In order to help equip the future U.S. transportation workforce with the skills necessary to capitalize on drone technology and compete globally, H.R. 5315 also invests Federal funding in drone workforce training and education programs at universities and community colleges. This program will be particularly beneficial as the U.S. aviation sector works to achieve a workforce that better reflects the diversity of the country as a whole.
H.R. 5315 has the support of cosponsors from both sides of the aisle and the endorsement of several key organizations representing the U.S. aviation and aerospace sector, and State, Tribal, and local governments.
Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record a letter of support from these organizations. September 8, 2022. Hon. Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Hon. Steny Hoyer, Majority Leader, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Hon. Kevin McCarthy, Minority Leader, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Hon. Steve Scalise, Minority Whip, House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Speaker Pelosi, Majority Leader Hoyer, Minority Leader McCarthy and Minority Whip Scalise: We write in strong support of H.R. 5315, the bipartisan Drone Infrastructure Inspection Grant (DIIG) Act, and respectfully request that the bill be added to the House floor schedule. The DIIG Act addresses the urgent critical infrastructure inspection backlog our nation faces today, while also investing in the drone workforce of tomorrow.
The bill's purpose is twofold. First, it would authorize the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) to provide competitive grants to state, tribal, and local governments to use secure small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) to perform critical infrastructure inspections. Drones provide states with a safe and cost effective way to identify and repair critical infrastructure problems in early stages, saving money, time, and preventing needless consumer and worker injuries and death.
Second, the bill would invest in our nation's future workforce by authorizing USDOT competitive grants for workforce training and education at institutions of higher education, including community colleges. This would position current and future workers to capitalize on the fast-growing drone economy, and help to cultivate a diverse workforce. To date, over 90 institutions have been approved by the Federal Aviation Administration as VAS-Collegiate Training Initiative Schools. This bill would nurture a dynamic workforce--ready to adapt to the technological advancements of the future.
The DIIG Act passed out of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee by a bipartisan vote of 54-4 on April 28th. We hope you join us in supporting the DIIG Act by adding it to the House floor schedule as soon as possible. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely,
National League of Cities (NLC), National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), National Association of Counties (NACo), National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO), American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, Association of Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI), Commercial Drone Alliance (CDA).
NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association, Northeast UAS Airspace Integration Research Alliance, Inc (NUAIR), Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities, Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, Kansas UAS Joint Task Force, Texas Association of Counties, San Bernardino County.
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Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.
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