Representatives Tom Kean, Jr. of New Jersey and Gabe Amo of Rhode Island have introduced the Drone Safety Enhancement Act, a bipartisan bill aimed at improving research on drones and supporting the development of advanced air mobility.
The legislation seeks to strengthen federal research and development related to drone safety and autonomous aviation in the national airspace system. It also provides support for ongoing work at federal aviation laboratories, including the FAA’s William J. Hughes Technical Center for Advanced Aerospace in New Jersey.
“As technology rapidly advances and drones become increasingly integrated into our daily lives, it is critical that air traffic for these systems is managed safely and transparently,” said Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. “I introduced the Drone Safety Enhancement Act with Representative Amo to direct the research needed to modernize our national airspace and support responsible integration of emerging technologies. Continued R&D in autonomous aviation is vital to America’s competitiveness and to guaranteeing our airspace remains safe, efficient, and prepared for the future.”
“I’m proud to help introduce the bipartisan Drone Safety Enhancement Act with Congressman Tom Kean to ensure the federal government is collaborating across agencies and with leaders in academia and industry to enhance our understanding of drones and advanced air mobility,” said Congressman Gabe Amo. “We must harness emerging technologies for good.”
The bill would require collaboration among NASA, FAA, and other relevant federal agencies on research involving unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) traffic management and autonomous aviation capabilities. It also mandates congressional briefings on research progress 18 months after enactment.
Thomas Kean Jr., who has represented New Jersey’s 7th district in Congress since 2023 after succeeding Tom Malinowski, previously served in both the New Jersey General Assembly from 2001 to 2003 and the New Jersey Senate from 2008 to 2022. He was born in Livingston, New Jersey in 1968, currently resides in Westfield, and holds a BA from Dartmouth College.
The full text of the bill can be found HERE.
