{"bill":{"id":"119-hr-6460","congress":119,"type":"HR","number":6460,"title":"Recreational Drone Empowerment Act","originChamber":"House","introducedDate":"2025-12-04","sponsors":[{"bioguideId":"M000871","fullName":"Rep. Mann, Tracey [R-KS-1]","party":"R","state":"KS","district":1}],"cosponsorsCount":1,"latestAction":{"actionDate":"2026-03-25","text":"Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation."},"policyArea":"Transportation and Public Works","subjects":["Administrative law and regulatory procedures","Aviation and airports","Licensing and registrations","Transportation safety and security"],"actions":[{"date":"2026-03-25","text":"Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.","type":"IntroReferral","chamber":"Senate","hasVote":false},{"date":"2026-03-24","text":"Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.","type":"Floor","chamber":"House floor actions","hasVote":false},{"date":"2026-03-24","text":"On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2659)","type":"Floor","chamber":"House floor actions","hasVote":false},{"date":"2026-03-24","text":"Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.","type":"Floor","chamber":"Library of Congress","hasVote":false},{"date":"2026-03-24","text":"DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6460.","type":"Floor","chamber":"House floor actions","hasVote":false},{"date":"2026-03-24","text":"Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2659-2660)","type":"Floor","chamber":"House floor actions","hasVote":false},{"date":"2026-03-24","text":"Mr. Taylor moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.","type":"Floor","chamber":"House floor actions","hasVote":false},{"date":"2026-03-16","text":"Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 472.","type":"Calendars","chamber":"House floor actions","hasVote":false},{"date":"2026-03-16","text":"Reported by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 119-549.","type":"Committee","chamber":"House floor actions","hasVote":false},{"date":"2026-03-16","text":"Reported by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 119-549.","type":"Committee","chamber":"Library of Congress","hasVote":false},{"date":"2025-12-18","text":"Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.","type":"Committee","chamber":"House committee actions","hasVote":false},{"date":"2025-12-18","text":"Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held","type":"Committee","chamber":"House committee actions","hasVote":false},{"date":"2025-12-18","text":"Subcommittee on Aviation Discharged","type":"Committee","chamber":"House committee actions","hasVote":false},{"date":"2025-12-05","text":"Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.","type":"Committee","chamber":"House committee actions","hasVote":false},{"date":"2025-12-04","text":"Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.","type":"IntroReferral","chamber":"House floor actions","hasVote":false},{"date":"2025-12-04","text":"Introduced in House","type":"IntroReferral","chamber":"Library of Congress","hasVote":false},{"date":"2025-12-04","text":"Introduced in House","type":"IntroReferral","chamber":"Library of Congress","hasVote":false}],"summary":"<p><strong>Recreational Drone Empowerment Act</strong></p><p>This bill expands the areas in which recreational unmanned aircraft systems (i.e., drones) are authorized to fly.</p><p>The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has various classifications for airspace, including Class&nbsp;E airspace, which is controlled airspace that is comprised of multiple sectors (e.g., Classes E1 to E5). Class&nbsp;E airspace includes sectors that (1) generally begin where Class G airspace (i.e., uncontrolled airspace) ends, and (2)&nbsp;are&nbsp;associated with an airport surface area or a surface level extension to another class of airspace.</p><p>Under current law, recreational drones may generally operate in certain circumstances&nbsp;from a fixed site, including within Class B, C, or D airspace. They may also operate within Class G airspace (1) up to 400 feet above ground level, without prior FAA authorization; and&nbsp;(2) over 400 feet above ground level with prior FAA authorization.</p><p>The FAA has interpreted&nbsp;current law to&nbsp;allow recreational&nbsp;drone operations in Class E2 airspace designated for an airport and prohibit recreational drone operations in other Class E sectors.</p><p>The bill specifies that the FAA may authorize recreational drones to operate at fixed site locations&nbsp;in Class E airspace that is</p><ul><li>above Class G airspace; or</li><li>designated as an extension to a Class B, C, D, or E surface area.</li></ul>","updateDate":"2026-04-02T17:06:17Z"},"markets":[],"stateBills":[],"meta":{"sources":["congress.gov"],"latencyMs":577,"ts":"2026-04-19T08:23:46.885Z"},"nextActions":{"inspect":[],"related":[{"description":"Search related legislation","method":"GET","url":"/api/public/query-gov?q=Recreational%20Drone%20Empowerment%20Act"}]}}