To require the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to use the definitions in section 40125 of title 49, United States Code, in determining whether an unmanned aircraft conducting aeronautical research flights qualifies for public aircraft status under that section, and for other purposes.

Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Feb 9, 2015

This bill requires the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, for purposes of determining whether an unmanned aircraft (drone) used for aeronautical research qualifies as a public aircraft, to use definitions under federal aviation safety law for determining whether the aircraft is used for:

a commercial purpose, and

aeronautical research and platform-based research.

The Administrator must also develop procedures for the safe, beyond-line-of-sight operation of aeronautical research drones in the national airspace system.

Read the summary on Congress.gov

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Young, Don [R-AK-At Large] · R–AK

Committees

Transportation and Infrastructure Committee

0 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Feb 10, 2015
Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.
Feb 9, 2015
Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
Feb 9, 2015
Introduced in House
Feb 9, 2015
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in House · Feb 9, 2015 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

S 387 · Safe Skies for Unmanned Aircraft Act of 2015

Source last updated: Jan 14, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Objective

Analyze H.R.819 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.819, 114th Congress: To require the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to use the definitions in section 40125 of title 49, United States Code, in determining whether an unmanned aircraft conducting aeronautical research flights qualifies for public aircraft status under that section, and for other purposes.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/819

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2015-02-09.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/114/bills/hr819/BILLS-114hr819ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-01-14T03:33:06Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.R.819 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.819 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.819, 114th Congress: To require the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to use the definitions in section 40125 of title 49, United States Code, in determining whether an unmanned aircraft conducting aeronautical research flights qualifies for public aircraft status under that section, and for other purposes.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/819

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2015-02-09.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/114/bills/hr819/BILLS-114hr819ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-01-14T03:33:06Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.819 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.819 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.819, 114th Congress: To require the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to use the definitions in section 40125 of title 49, United States Code, in determining whether an unmanned aircraft conducting aeronautical research flights qualifies for public aircraft status under that section, and for other purposes.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/819

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2015-02-09.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/114/bills/hr819/BILLS-114hr819ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-01-14T03:33:06Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.819 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.819 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.819, 114th Congress: To require the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to use the definitions in section 40125 of title 49, United States Code, in determining whether an unmanned aircraft conducting aeronautical research flights qualifies for public aircraft status under that section, and for other purposes.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/819

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2015-02-09.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/114/bills/hr819/BILLS-114hr819ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-01-14T03:33:06Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.819 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.