Vertical takeoff and landing aircraft-regulation.

ORIGINAL
Senate
File No
.
SF0079

ENROLLED ACT NO. 56,

SENATE

SIXTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WYOMING
2018 Budget Session

AN ACT relating to aeronautics; authorizing the Wyoming aeronautics commission to promulgate rules regarding vertical takeoff and landing aircraft; amending provisions related to unmanned aircraft to include to vertical takeoff and landing aircraft; authorizing the Wyoming department of transportation to seek federal and other funding assistance related to vertical takeoff and landing aircraft; requiring coordination of marketing and advocacy efforts for specified purposes related to vertical takeoff and landing aircraft; and providing for an effective date.

Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Wyoming:

Section
1
.

W.S. 10
‑
1
‑
101(a) by creating a new paragraph (xi) and by renumbering (xi) as (xii), 10
‑
3
‑
201(e) and (j), 10
‑
3
‑
301 and 10
‑
4
‑
303(a)
(intro), (b) and
(c) are amended to read:

10
‑
1
‑
101
.

Definitions.

(a)

As used in this act:

(xi)

"
Vertical takeoff and landing
aircraft
"
means a piloted or autonomous aircraft or unmanned aircraft capable of vertical takeoff, vertical landing and transfer to forward motion
, excluding rotorcraft
;

(xi)
(xii
)

"
This act
"
means W.S. 10
‑
1
‑
101 through 10
‑
6
‑
104.

10
‑
3
‑
201
.

Powers and duties generally.

(e)

The commission shall assist communities in coordinating efforts, facilitating, recruiting and attracting and promoting the development, improvement and
retention of commercial air service and accommodating military air service in the state. The assistance may include studying airline, aircraft
,
and
unmanned aircraft

and vertical takeoff and landing aircraft
profitability, route analysis, air fare monitoring and recommendations for legislative changes to enhance air services in the state.

(j)

The commission shall promulgate reasonable rules governing where unmanned aircraft
or vertical takeoff and landing aircraft

may take off and land,
giving consideration to
public health and safety, aesthetics and the general welfare. Unless otherwise prohibited by or previously provided for in federal law, the commission may also promulgate reasonable rules governing the operation of unmanned

aircraft
or vertical takeoff and landing aircraft
. In promulgating any rules
governing unmanned aircraft

under this subsection
, the commission shall coordinate with the
appropriate
industry in Wyoming and political subdivisions of the state. The commission shall not have the power to regulate unmanned aircraft

or vertical takeoff and landing aircraft
operation in navigable airspace.

10
‑
3
‑
301
.

Conducting investigations and hearings; accidents to be reported.

The commission may conduct investigations, inquiries and hearings concerning the laws of this state relating to aeronautics and accidents or injuries incident to the operation of aircraft, including unmanned aircraft

or vertical takeoff and landing aircraft
, occurring within this state. Members of the commission may administer oaths and affirmations, certify to all official acts, issue subpoenas and compel the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of papers, books and documents. All accidents or injuries incident to the
operation of aircraft occurring within this state shall be immediately reported to the commission.

10
‑
4
‑
303
.

Low or dangerous flight; landing on land or water of another.

(a)

Flight of aircraft, including unmanned aircraft

or vertical takeoff and landing aircraft
, over the lands and waters of this state is lawful unless it is:

(b)

The landing of an aircraft, including an unmanned

aircraft

or vertical takeoff and landing aircraft
, on the lands or waters of another, without his consent, is unlawful, except in the case of a forced landing. For damages caused by a forced landing, however, the owner, operator or lessee of the aircraft or the airman shall be liable for actual damage caused by the forced landing.

(c)

Except as provided in subsection (a) of this section, nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prevent an operator or pilot from operating an aircraft, including an unmanned

aircraft

or vertical takeoff and landing aircraft
, over his own property.

Section
2
.

The Wyoming department of transportation may seek any federal or other funding assistance related to vertical takeoff and landing aircraft.

Section
3
.

The Wyoming aeronautics commission shall coordinate with the Wyoming business council and political subdivisions of the state to market and
advocate for
vertical takeoff and landing aircraft innovation, technology development, testing, manufacturing and production in this state.

Section 4
.

This act is effective immediately upon completion of all acts necessary for a bill to become law as provided by Article 4, Section 8 of the Wyoming Constitution.

(END)

Speaker of the House

President of the Senate

Governor

TIME
APPROVED: _________

DATE APPROVED: _________

I hereby certify that this act originated in the
Senate
.

Chief Clerk

1