Recreational Drone Empowerment Act

Summary

Recreational Drone Empowerment Act This bill expands the areas in which recreational unmanned aircraft systems (i.e., drones) are authorized to fly. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has various classifications for airspace, including Class E airspace, which is controlled airspace that is comprised of multiple sectors (e.g., Classes E1 to E5). Class E airspace includes sectors that (1) generally begin where Class G airspace (i.e., uncontrolled airspace) ends, and (2) are associated with an airport surface area or a surface level extension to another class of airspace. Under current law, recreational drones may generally operate in certain circumstances 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 (2) over 400 feet above ground level with prior FAA authorization. The FAA has interpreted current law to allow recreational drone operations in Class E2 airspace designated for an airport and prohibit recreational drone operations in other Class E sectors. The bill specifies that the FAA may authorize recreational drones to operate at fixed site locations in Class E airspace that is above Class G airspace; or designated as an extension to a Class B, C, D, or E surface area.

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Timeline

1. 4 December 2025

   Introduced

   Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

   Source: IntroReferral

2. 4 December 2025

   Introduced

   Introduced in House

   Source: IntroReferral

3. 4 December 2025

   Introduced

   Introduced in House

   Source: IntroReferral

4. 5 December 2025

   Referred

   Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.

   Source: Committee

5. 18 December 2025

   Reported

   Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.

   Source: Committee

6. 18 December 2025

   Committee

   Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

   Source: Committee

7. 18 December 2025

   Committee

   Subcommittee on Aviation Discharged

   Source: Committee

8. 16 March 2026

   Calendars

   Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 472.

   Source: Calendars

9. 16 March 2026

   Reported

   Reported by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 119-549.

   Source: Committee

10. 16 March 2026

    Reported

    Reported by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 119-549.

    Source: Committee

11. 24 March 2026

    Passed

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

    Source: Floor

12. 24 March 2026

    Passed

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2659)

    Source: Floor

13. 24 March 2026

    Passed

    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.

    Source: Floor

14. 24 March 2026

    Floor

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6460.

    Source: Floor

15. 24 March 2026

    Floor

    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2659-2660)

    Source: Floor

16. 24 March 2026

    Floor

    Mr. Taylor moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

    Source: Floor

17. 25 March 2026

    Introduced

    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

    Source: IntroReferral

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

No version snapshots stored. Document URLs remain at the source.

Documents

5 official files

• Referred in Senate

  Referred in Senate · EN · 25 March 2026

  DownloadOpen at official source

• Engrossed in House

  Engrossed in House · EN · 24 March 2026

  DownloadOpen at official source

• Reported in House

  Reported in House · EN · 16 March 2026

  DownloadOpen at official source

• Reported to House

  summary · EN · 16 March 2026

  Open at official source

• Introduced in House

  Introduced in House · EN · 4 December 2025

  DownloadOpen at official source

Sponsors

• Rep. Mann, Tracey [R-KS-1] · R · Sponsor
• Sharice Davids · D · Sponsor
• · sscm00 · Standing
• · hspw00 · Standing

Related records

No cross-record relationships stored yet.