New York S 3273: Relates to regulating the use of unmanned aircraft in the state

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S03273 Summary:

BILL NOS03273 

&nbsp

SAME ASSAME AS A00260

&nbsp

SPONSORCOONEY

&nbsp

COSPNSR

&nbsp

MLTSPNSR

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Add Art 48-D §§2500 - 2504, V & T L

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Regulates the use of unmanned aircrafts in the state; defines terms; authorizes permitted uses of unmanned aircrafts; restricts use of unmanned aircrafts; makes related provisions.

Go to top S03273 Actions:

BILL NOS03273 

&nbsp

01/24/2025REFERRED TO TRANSPORTATION

01/07/2026REFERRED TO TRANSPORTATION

Go to topS03273 Committee&nbspVotes:

Go to topS03273 Floor&nbspVotes:

There are no Assembly votes for this bill in this legislative session.

Go to topS03273 Text:

 STATE OF NEW YORK
 ________________________________________________________________________

 3273

 2025-2026 Regular Sessions

 IN SENATE

 January 24, 2025
 ___________

 Introduced by Sen. COONEY -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
 printed to be committed to the Committee on Transportation

 AN ACT to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to regulating
 the use of unmanned aircraft in the state

 The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-
 bly, do enact as follows:

 1 Section 1. The vehicle and traffic law is amended by adding a new
 2 article 48-D to read as follows:
 3 ARTICLE 48-D
 4 UNMANNED AIRCRAFT
 5 Section 2500. Legislative purpose.
 6 2501. Definitions.
 7 2502. Permitted use of unmanned aircraft.
 8 2503. Restricted use of unmanned aircraft.
 9 2504. State preemption.
 10 § 2500. Legislative purpose. It is the purpose of this article to
 11 encourage the safe operation of unmanned aircraft and to give users of
 12 unmanned aircraft clear rules of operation that also give state and
 13 local law enforcement the tools needed to protect public safety, privacy
 14 and property. This section is intended to ensure consistency and avoid
 15 conflict between local, state and federal law pertaining to unmanned
 16 aircraft and their use.
 17 § 2501. Definitions. 1. "Person" means an individual, partnership,
 18 corporation, association, governmental entity, or other legal entity.
 19 2. "Political subdivision" means a county, city, village, township, or
 20 other department, agency, political subdivision, public corporation,
 21 authority, or district in this state.
 22 3. "Unmanned aircraft" means an aircraft operated without the possi-
 23 bility of direct human intervention from within or on the aircraft.
 24 4. "Unmanned aircraft system" means an unmanned aircraft and associ-
 25 ated elements, including communication links and components that control

 EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
 [ ] is old law to be omitted.
 LBD00822-01-5

 S. 3273 2

 1 the unmanned aircraft that are required for the pilot in command to
 2 operate safely and efficiently.
 3 § 2502. Permitted use of unmanned aircraft. 1. The flight of unmanned
 4 aircraft over the land and waters of this state is lawful.
 5 2. A person may operate an unmanned aircraft system in this state for
 6 commercial or recreational purposes if the unmanned aircraft system is
 7 operated in a manner consistent with federal law and regulation.
 8 § 2503. Restricted use of unmanned aircraft. 1. A person operating an
 9 unmanned aircraft shall not interfere with manned aircraft and shall
 10 always give right of way to manned aircraft.
 11 2. A person operating an unmanned aircraft shall not intentionally
 12 operate an unmanned aircraft in a manner that is imminently dangerous to
 13 persons or property lawfully on the land or water beneath.
 14 3. A person operating an unmanned aircraft shall not intentionally
 15 operate an unmanned aircraft in a manner that constitutes a frequent,
 16 repetitive, substantial and unreasonable nuisance.
 17 4. A person operating an unmanned aircraft shall not operate an
 18 unmanned aircraft in this state without first complying with all appli-
 19 cable licensing, registration, and marking requirements required by the
 20 Federal Aviation Administration.
 21 5. A person operating an unmanned aircraft shall not operate in
 22 violation of any flight restriction issued by the Federal Aviation
 23 Administration.
 24 6. A person shall not knowingly and intentionally operate an unmanned
 25 aircraft system in a manner that unreasonably obstructs with the of