Rhode Island General Laws 1-8-1.2. Regulation of unpiloted aircraft systems
(a) Any operation of a UAV or UAS in the state shall comply with all applicable Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA”) requirements. Any UAV or UAS operating under the authority of the Armed Forces of the United States, Department of Homeland Security or any other federal agency having authority shall be exempt from this law.
Terms Used In Rhode Island General Laws 1-8-1.2
- Municipality: means any city, town, or incorporated village within the state. See Rhode Island General Laws 1-8-1.1
- operation: means to fly, pilot, control, direct, or program the flight of an unpiloted aircraft system. See Rhode Island General Laws 1-8-1.1
- person: may be construed to extend to and include co-partnerships and bodies corporate and politic. See Rhode Island General Laws 43-3-6
- UAS: means an unpiloted aerial vehicle and associated elements and support equipment required for the safe and efficient operation of the UAV. See Rhode Island General Laws 1-8-1.1
- UAV: means a powered aerial vehicle that:
(i) Does not carry a human operator and is operated without the possibility of direct human intervention from within or on the aircraft;
(ii) Uses aerodynamic forces to provide vehicle lift;
(iii) Can fly autonomously or be piloted remotely;
(iv) Weighs less than fifty-five pounds (55 lbs. See Rhode Island General Laws 1-8-1.1
- United States: include the several states and the territories of the United States. See Rhode Island General Laws 43-3-8
(b) Any person who operates a UAV or UAS in violation of this chapter shall be subject to penalty in accordance with § 1-4-19.
(c) No municipality shall enact or enforce any ordinance regulating the operation of UAVs or UASs except as otherwise authorized by regulation or guideline promulgated by the Federal Aviation Administration or the Rhode Island general laws.
History of Section.
P.L. 2023, ch. 125, § 2, effective June 19, 2023; P.L. 2023, ch. 126, § 2, effective June 19, 2023.