The use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), like drones, will continue growing as costs for this technology are reduced. The proper use of this technology in agriculture can result in significant benefits, however privacy and public safety issues are becoming more prominent.
Many of the issues surrounding UAS are governed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), however a number of state-level issues need to be resolved. We encourage Michigan Farm Bureau to work with the Legislature to address issues regarding UAS use. Also, we urge MFB to continue to increase their knowledge and understanding of UAS issues like:
- Privacy and private property rights
- Nuisance
- Reckless endangerment
- Proprietary data
- Safety
- Insurance
- Authority enforcement and jurisdiction consistent with FAA regulations
We support:
- The use of UAS for commercial purposes within agriculture, forestry, and natural resources.
- Requiring UAS operators to gain consent of landowners or farm operators, if the UAS will be surveying or gathering data about the property below navigable airspace.
- Treating the UAS as an extension of the operator subject to trespass regulations.
- The regulation of UAS as recreational aircraft.
- Internet and cellular providers including support within rural networks for agricultural equipment connections.
- Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development policies supporting the use of autonomous farm equipment.
- Michigan State University increasing autonomous farm technology research.
- The use of UAS operations in accordance with FAA regulations to include all waivable operations such as use of multiple drones and limited nighttime operations.
We oppose:
- Federal, state and local agencies using UAS for regulatory enforcement, litigation and as a sole source for natural resource inventories.
- Use of drones for investigation without a search warrant or equivalent documents.
- UAS surveying and gathering data without the consent of the landowner and/or operator below navigable airspace.