HR 4686
LIFT Act of 2025
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Bill overview
The LIFT Act of 2025 aims to modernize regulations for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), commonly known as drones, by expanding Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations and promoting the integration of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The bill directs the Transportation Secretary to establish rules and metrics for BVLOS operations, explore international regulations, and utilize artificial intelligence to expedite waiver reviews. It also establishes an eVTOL pilot program to support the development and deployment of these new aircraft technologies, prioritizing domestic manufacturing.
Key provisions
- Expedites rulemaking for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) drone operations.
- Establishes metrics for assessing the safety of BVLOS operations.
- Directs the Transportation Secretary to explore international regulations for high-seas drone operations.
- Initiates the deployment of artificial intelligence tools for drone waiver reviews.
- Creates an electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) integration pilot program.
- Prioritizes the integration of U.S.-manufactured drones into the national airspace.
- Requires the Secretary to submit reports on program progress and recommendations for permanent integration of eVTOL operations.
- Establishes a timeline for issuing proposed and final rules regarding BVLOS operations.
Who is affected
- Drone Manufacturers
- Drone Operators
- Federal Aviation Administration
- State and Local Governments
- The Aviation Industry
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119th CONGRESS — 1st Session
H. R. 4686
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
A BILL
To direct the Secretary of Transportation to expand Beyond Visual Line of Sight operations for unmanned aircraft systems, and for other purposes.
This Act may be cited as the Local Innovation for Flight Technologies Act of 2025 LIFT Act of 2025
or the
.
In this Act:
The term appropriate committees of Congress has the meaning given the term in section 44801 of title 49, United States Code.
The term unmanned aircraft system has the meaning given the term in section 44801 of title 49, United States Code.
BVLOS) operations for unmanned aircraft systems; and
not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act, issue a final rule based on the proposed rulemaking issued under paragraph (1).
not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act, establish metrics for assessing the performance and safety of BVLOS operations of unmanned aircraft systems; and
not later than 180 days of the date of enactment of this Act, identify and describe any additional regulatory barriers and challenges to such BVLOS implementation and submit to the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy recommendations for—
addressing the barriers and challenges expeditiously; and
The Secretary of Transportation shall—
identify potential barriers for the operation described in paragraph (1); and
a report on the findings under paragraphs (1) and (2); and
appropriate legislative recommendations necessary to enable such operation.
The artificial intelligence tools described in subsection (a) shall—
support performance- and risk-based evaluation of proposed operations;
identify materially similar precedents and recommend consistent mitigation measures;
assist the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration in identifying categories of unmanned aircraft system operations with sufficient safety data or recurring approval patterns that may warrant further rulemaking to eliminate the need for individualized waivers; and
be used in accordance with guidance on Federal use of artificial intelligence, as detailed in Office of Management and Budget Memorandum M–25–21.
eVTOL) integration pilot program to provide grants to State, local, Tribal, and territorial governments to carry out projects to accelerate the deployment of safe eVTOL operations in the United States.
Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall issue a public request for proposals for the program established under subsection (a) to State, local, Tribal, and territorial governments.
Such proposals shall be submitted not later than 90 days after the request is issued under subsection (a) and include a private sector partner with demonstrated experience in eVTOL aircraft development, manufacturing, and operations.
the use of eVTOL aircraft and technologies developed or offered by a United States-based entity;
overall representation of economic and geographic operations and proposed models of public-private partnership; and
overall representation of the operations to be conducted, including advanced air mobility, medical response, cargo transport, and rural access.
The Secretary shall execute agreements with applicants selected under subsection (c) that contain—
project goals;
regulatory needs;
timelines;
information sharing and data exchange mechanisms; and
responsibilities.
the progress of the pilot program;
any evaluation of program goals and outcomes;
recommendations for the permanent integration of eVTOL operations into the national airspace; and
any proposed future initiatives to maintain United States leadership in eVTOL flight.
The Secretary shall cease to provide grants under the pilot program established under this section on the date that is 3 years after the date the first pilot project becomes operational, unless the Secretary determines that an extension is warranted in the national interest.
The Secretary shall—
use the information and experience yielded by the pilot program to inform the development of regulations, initiatives, and plans to enable safe eVTOL operations; and
as appropriate, share such information with the Secretary of Defense, the Attorney General, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and the heads of other relevant agencies.
The Secretary of Transportation shall prioritize the integration of unmanned aircraft systems manufactured in the United States into the national airspace system over unmanned aircraft systems manufactured outside of the United States to the maximum extent permitted by law.