Tracey Mann (R-KS)
Recreational Drone Empowerment Act
A Republican bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
In the other chamber's committee
Passed one chamber and has been handed to a committee in the other.
The committee decides whether it goes any further, and most bills that reach a committee never leave it. A committee that simply does nothing kills a bill without anyone ever voting against it, so no news from here is usually the news.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- Passed House voice vote
- In Senate committee
The House by voice vote (members called out yes or no together): no member's position on it was recorded.
What this bill would do
This bill is called the "Recreational Drone Empowerment Act." It aims to change title 49 of the United States Code. The goal is to clarify exceptions for limited recreational operations of unmanned aircraft. Specifically, it updates the rules regarding which types of airspace are available for these operations.
Yes· 3 of 9
- Scored +3
Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this?
Increases legal flying areas for recreational drone enthusiasts, who are often young adults.
- Scored +3
Would people in middle age be better off under this?
Provides more legal airspace for hobbyist drone operators.
- Scored +3
Would middle-income households be better off under this?
Expands recreational opportunities for middle-class drone owners.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Expanded Airspace Access: By adding "Class E airspace above Class G airspace" and other designated Class E airspaces to the existing list, recreational drone operators may have more areas where they can legally operate their drones (Section 2).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts for people are explicitly mentioned in the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would billionaires be better off under this? — Expands recreational opportunities for hobbyists. Would high-income households be better off under this? — Expands recreational opportunities for high-income drone owners. Would people with substantial wealth be better off under this? — Expands recreational opportunities for hobbyists. Would people in middle age be better off under this? — Provides more legal airspace for hobbyist drone operators. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — Expands recreational opportunities for middle-class drone owners. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — Expands legal flying zones which may be more accessible in rural settings. Would students be better off under this? — Increases available airspace for students interested in drone technology and recreation. Would the very wealthiest people be better off under this? — Expands recreational opportunities for hobbyists. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — Increases legal flying areas for recreational drone enthusiasts, who are often young adults.
- 3/25/2026
- Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 3/24/2026
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2659)
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6460.
- Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2659-2660)
- Mr. Taylor moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
- 3/16/2026
- Reported by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 119-549.
- Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 472.
- 12/18/2025
- Subcommittee on Aviation Discharged
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
- 12/5/2025
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.
- 12/4/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
Sharice DavidsDemocrat · Kansas