(a) The West Virginia Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Advisory Council is hereby created within the Department of Economic Development.

(b) The council consists of the following nine members, including the chairperson:

(1) The Secretary of the Department of Economic Development or his or her designee, ex officio, who shall serve as the chair of the council, and who shall vote when necessary in the event the appointed members of the council become deadlocked;

(2) The following eight members shall be appointed by the Governor and serve at his or her will and pleasure:

(A) One member representing the Secretary of the Department of Transportation;

(B) One member from the Adjutant General’s Department;

(C) One member representing the uncrewed aircraft system industry with at least five years of experience operating an uncrewed aircraft;

(D) One member representing a national association of the uncrewed aerial vehicle industry;

(E) One member with experience managing a commercial services airport;

(F) One member representing business and industry, generally;

(G) One member representing academia; and

(H) One member representing the advanced air mobility industry developing human transit capabilities.

(3) Members of the council will receive no compensation but are entitled to reimbursement for mileage expenses while attending meetings of the committee to the extent that funds are available through the Department of Economic Development.

(1) Identify trends and technologies driving innovation in uncrewed aircraft systems;

(2) Develop comprehensive strategies, including, but not limited to, the promotion of research and development, education, economic growth, and jobs in the uncrewed aircraft system industry in West Virginia; public acceptance of the uncrewed aircraft system industry; business planning; air vehicle technology and manufacturing; and airspace management and national airspace system integration; and

(3) Develop recommended legislation addressing specific issues and in furtherance of the comprehensive strategies identified in subdivision (2), subsection (c) of this section.

(d) The council shall meet at least annually and may convene public meetings to gather information or receive public comments.

(e) The council shall report on the status of its duties, goals, accomplishments, and recommendations to the Legislature on at least an annual basis.

§5B-2-18a. Applicability of federal laws and Federal Aviation Administration regulations; permissible use of uncrewed aircraft.

(a) Notwithstanding any provision of this article to the contrary, any person or entity operating an uncrewed aircraft system may do so in compliance with applicable federal law and applicable regulations of the Federal Aviation Administration.

(b) Except as authorized by law, a political subdivision of the state shall not enact or adopt an ordinance, policy, or rule that relates to the ownership or operation of an advanced air mobility aircraft or advanced air mobility system, and shall not otherwise engage in the regulation of any uncrewed aircraft system, advanced air mobility aircraft, or advanced air mobility system. Any ordinance, policy, or rule, to the extent that it violates any provision of this subsection, whether enacted or adopted by the political subdivision before or after the effective date of this section, is void.

(c) As used in this section, “advanced air mobility aircraft” or “advanced air mobility system” means a system that transports people and property by air between points in the United States using aircraft, as defined in §29-2A-1 of this code, including electric aircraft and electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, in both controlled and uncontrolled airspace.

Adopted

Rejected