[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 56 (Wednesday, April 13, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Page S2041]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

  SA 3723. Ms. MURKOWSKI (for herself and Mr. Sullivan) submitted an 
amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 3679 proposed by Mr. 
McConnell (for Mr. Thune (for himself and Mr. Nelson)) to the bill H.R. 
636, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to permanently extend 
increased expensing limitations, and for other purposes; which was 
ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       On page 84, between lines 13 and 14, insert the following:
       ``(f) Special Rules for Certain Unmanned Aircraft Systems 
     and Operations in the Arctic.--
       ``(1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
     this chapter, and not later than 180 days after the date of 
     the enactment of the Federal Aviation Administration 
     Reauthorization Act of 2016, the Secretary shall determine if 
     certain unmanned aircraft systems may operate safely in the 
     Arctic beyond the limitations of the notice of proposed 
     rulemaking relating to operation and certification of small 
     unmanned aircraft systems (80 Fed. Reg. 9544), including 
     operation of such systems beyond the visual line of sight of 
     the operator.
       ``(2) Assessment of unmanned aircraft systems.--In making 
     the determination required by paragraph (1), the Secretary 
     shall determine, at a minimum--
       ``(A) which types of unmanned aircraft systems, if any, as 
     a result of their size, weight, speed, operational 
     capability, proximity to airports and populated areas, and 
     operation beyond visual line of sight do not create a hazard 
     to users of the airspace over the Arctic or the public or 
     pose a threat to national security;
       ``(B) which beyond-line-of-sight operations provide 
     extraordinary public benefit justifying safe accommodation of 
     the operations while minimizing restrictions on manned 
     aircraft operations; and
       ``(C) whether a certificate of waiver, certificate of 
     authorization, or airworthiness certification under section 
     44704 is required for the operation of unmanned aircraft 
     systems identified under subparagraph (A).
       ``(3) Requirements for safe operation.--If the Secretary 
     determines under this subsection that certain unmanned 
     aircraft systems may operate safely in the Arctic beyond the 
     visual line of sight of the operator, the Secretary shall 
     establish requirements for the safe equipage and operation of 
     such aircraft systems while minimizing the effect on manned 
     aircraft operations.''.
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