[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 147 (Tuesday, September 13, 2022)]
[House]
[Pages H7750-H7752]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               DRONE INFRASTRUCTURE INSPECTION GRANT ACT

  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 5315) to direct the Secretary of Transportation to establish 
in the Department of Transportation a drone infrastructure inspection 
grant program and a drone education and training grant program, and for 
other purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                                H.R. 5315

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Drone Infrastructure 
     Inspection Grant Act''.

     SEC. 2. DRONE INFRASTRUCTURE INSPECTION GRANT PROGRAM.

       (a) Authority.--The Secretary of Transportation shall 
     establish a drone infrastructure inspection grant program to 
     make grants to governmental entities to facilitate the use of 
     eligible small unmanned aircraft systems to increase 
     efficiency, reduce costs, improve worker and community 
     safety, reduce carbon emissions, or meet other priorities (as 
     determined by the Secretary) related to critical 
     infrastructure projects.
       (b) Use of Grant Amounts.--A governmental entity may use a 
     grant provided under this section to--
       (1) purchase or lease eligible small unmanned aircraft 
     systems;
       (2) support operational capabilities of eligible small 
     unmanned aircraft systems by the governmental entity;
       (3) contract for services performed with an eligible small 
     unmanned aircraft system in circumstances in which the 
     governmental entity does not have the resources or expertise 
     to safely carry out or assist in carrying out the activities 
     described under subsection (a); and
       (4) support the program management capability of the 
     governmental entity to use an eligible small unmanned 
     aircraft system.
       (c) Eligibility.--To be eligible to receive a grant under 
     this section, a governmental entity shall submit an 
     application to the Secretary at such time, in such form, and 
     containing such information as the Secretary may require, 
     including an assurance that the governmental entity or its 
     contractor will comply with relevant federal regulations.
       (d) Selection of Applicants.--In selecting an applicant for 
     a grant under this section, the Secretary shall prioritize 
     projects that propose to--
       (1) carry out a critical infrastructure project in a 
     historically disadvantaged community; or
       (2) address a safety risk in the inspection, operation, 
     maintenance, repair, modernization, or construction of an 
     element of critical infrastructure.
       (e) Limitation.--Nothing in this section shall be construed 
     as to interfere with an agreement between a governmental 
     entity and a labor union.
       (f) Report to Congress.--Not later than 1 year after the 
     first grant is provided under this section, the Secretary 
     shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and 
     Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the 
     Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
     Senate a report that evaluates the program carried out under 
     this section, including--
       (1) a description of the number of grants awarded;
       (2) the amount of each grant;
       (3) the activities funded under this section; and
       (4) the effectiveness of such funded activities in meeting 
     the objectives described in subsection (a).
       (g) Funding.--
       (1) Federal share.--
       (A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph (B), 
     the Federal share of the cost of a project carried out using 
     a grant under this section shall not exceed 80 percent of the 
     total project cost.
       (B) Waiver.--The Secretary may increase the Federal share 
     requirement under subparagraph (A) to up to 100 percent for a 
     project carried out using a grant under this section by a 
     governmental entity if such entity--
       (i) submits a written application to the Secretary 
     requesting an increase in the Federal share; and
       (ii) demonstrates that the additional assistance is 
     necessary to facilitate the acceptance and full use of a 
     grant under this section, such as alleviating economic 
     hardship, meeting additional workforce needs, or such other 
     uses that the Secretary determines to be appropriate.
       (2) Authorization of appropriations.--There are authorized 
     to be appropriated to carry out this section--
       (A) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2023; and
       (B) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2024.

     SEC. 3. DRONE EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE TRAINING GRANT PROGRAM.

       (a) Authority.--The Secretary of Transportation shall 
     establish a drone education and training grant program to 
     make grants to educational institutions for workforce 
     training for eligible small unmanned aircraft system 
     technology.
       (b) Use of Grant Amounts.--Amounts from a grant under this 
     section shall be used in furtherance of activities authorized 
     under sections 631 and 632 of the FAA Reauthorization Act 
     2018 (49 U.S.C. 40101 note).
       (c) Eligibility.--To be eligible to receive a grant under 
     this section, an educational institution shall submit an 
     application to the Secretary at such time, in such form, and 
     containing such information as the Secretary may require.
       (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized 
     to be appropriated to carry out this section--
       (1) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2023; and
       (2) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2024.

     SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS.

       In this Act:
       (1) Critical infrastructure.--The term ``critical 
     infrastructure'' has the meaning given such term in section 
     1016(e) of the Critical Infrastructures Protection Act of 
     2001 (42 U.S.C. 5195c(e)).
       (2) Critical infrastructure project.--The term ``critical 
     infrastructure project'' means a project for the inspection, 
     operation, maintenance, repair, modernization, or 
     construction of an element of critical infrastructure, 
     including mitigating environmental hazards to such 
     infrastructure.
       (3) Covered foreign entity.--The term ``covered foreign 
     entity'' means an entity--
       (A) included on the Consolidated Screening List or Entity 
     List as designated by the Secretary of Commerce;
       (B) domiciled in the People's Republic of China or the 
     Russian Federation;
       (C) subject to influence or control by the government of 
     the People's Republic of China or by the Russian Federation; 
     or
       (D) is a subsidiary or affiliate of an entity described in 
     subparagraphs (A) through (C).
       (4) Educational institution.--The term ``educational 
     institution'' means an institution of higher education (as 
     defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 
     (20 U.S.C. 1001)) that participates in a program authorized 
     under sections 631 and 632 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 
     2018 (49 U.S.C. 40101 note).
       (5) Element of critical infrastructure.--The term ``element 
     of critical infrastructure'' means a critical infrastructure 
     facility or asset, including public bridges, tunnels, roads, 
     highways, dams, electric grid, water infrastructure, 
     communication systems, pipelines, or other related facilities 
     or assets, as defined by the Secretary.
       (6) Eligible small unmanned aircraft system.--The term 
     ``eligible small unmanned aircraft system'' means a small 
     unmanned aircraft system manufactured or assembled by a 
     company that is domiciled in the United States and is not a 
     covered foreign entity.
       (7) Governmental entity.--The term ``governmental entity'' 
     means--
       (A) a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of 
     Puerto Rico, a territory of the United States, or a political 
     subdivision thereof;
       (B) a unit of local government;
       (C) a Tribal Government;
       (D) a metropolitan planning organization; or
       (E) a combination of the entities described in 
     subparagraphs (A) through (D).
       (8) Small unmanned aircraft; unmanned aircraft; unmanned 
     aircraft system.--The terms ``small unmanned aircraft'', 
     ``unmanned aircraft'', and ``unmanned aircraft system'' have 
     the meanings given such terms in section 44801 of title 49, 
     United States Code.


[[Page H7751]]


  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton) and the gentleman from Louisiana 
(Mr. Graves) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia.


                             General Leave

  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
and include extraneous material on H.R. 5315, as amended.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from the District of Columbia?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5315, the Drone Infrastructure 
Inspection Grant Act, legislation sponsored by Mr. Stanton of Arizona 
and Mr. Graves from Louisiana.
  In recent years, small unmanned systems, also known as drones, have 
been valuable assets in the inspection, maintenance, and repair of the 
Nation's critical infrastructure. Drones have many uses, from surveying 
transmission lines and inspecting bridges, to assessing damage from 
natural disasters. As this aviation technology continues to evolve, 
State and local governments should have the opportunity to leverage 
these systems to help identify and address the growing infrastructure 
needs across the country.
  H.R. 5315 establishes a drone infrastructure inspection grant program 
and a drone education and workforce training grant program at the U.S. 
Department of Transportation to help increase efficiency, reduce costs, 
improve worker safety, and reduce carbon emissions related to critical 
infrastructure projects.
  Specifically, the bill authorizes competitive Department of 
Transportation grants for State, Tribal, and local governments to 
purchase, lease, contract for services, or support the operational 
management of small drones to perform certain infrastructure projects. 
H.R. 5315 ensures that these Federal funds can only be used for small 
drone technology manufactured or assembled by a U.S. company, includes 
safeguards for related labor agreements, and prioritizes projects 
conducted in historically disadvantaged communities.
  In order to help equip the future U.S. transportation workforce with 
the skills necessary to capitalize on drone technology and compete 
globally, H.R. 5315 also invests Federal funding in drone workforce 
training and education programs at universities and community colleges. 
This program will be particularly beneficial as the U.S. aviation 
sector works to achieve a workforce that better reflects the diversity 
of the country as a whole.
  H.R. 5315 has the support of cosponsors from both sides of the aisle 
and the endorsement of several key organizations representing the U.S. 
aviation and aerospace sector, and State, Tribal, and local 
governments.
  Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record a letter of support from these 
organizations.

                                                September 8, 2022.
     Hon. Nancy Pelosi,
     Speaker of the House, House of Representatives,
     Washington, DC.
     Hon. Steny Hoyer,
     Majority Leader, House of Representatives,
     Washington, DC.
     Hon. Kevin McCarthy,
     Minority Leader, House of Representatives,
     Washington, DC.
     Hon. Steve Scalise,
     Minority Whip, House of Representatives,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Speaker Pelosi, Majority Leader Hoyer, Minority Leader 
     McCarthy and Minority Whip Scalise: We write in strong 
     support of H.R. 5315, the bipartisan Drone Infrastructure 
     Inspection Grant (DIIG) Act, and respectfully request that 
     the bill be added to the House floor schedule. The DIIG Act 
     addresses the urgent critical infrastructure inspection 
     backlog our nation faces today, while also investing in the 
     drone workforce of tomorrow.
       The bill's purpose is twofold. First, it would authorize 
     the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) to provide 
     competitive grants to state, tribal, and local governments to 
     use secure small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) to perform 
     critical infrastructure inspections. Drones provide states 
     with a safe and cost effective way to identify and repair 
     critical infrastructure problems in early stages, saving 
     money, time, and preventing needless consumer and worker 
     injuries and death.
       Second, the bill would invest in our nation's future 
     workforce by authorizing USDOT competitive grants for 
     workforce training and education at institutions of higher 
     education, including community colleges. This would position 
     current and future workers to capitalize on the fast-growing 
     drone economy, and help to cultivate a diverse workforce. To 
     date, over 90 institutions have been approved by the Federal 
     Aviation Administration as VAS-Collegiate Training Initiative 
     Schools. This bill would nurture a dynamic workforce--ready 
     to adapt to the technological advancements of the future.
       The DIIG Act passed out of the House Transportation and 
     Infrastructure Committee by a bipartisan vote of 54-4 on 
     April 28th. We hope you join us in supporting the DIIG Act by 
     adding it to the House floor schedule as soon as possible. 
     Thank you for your consideration.
           Sincerely,
       National League of Cities (NLC), National Conference of 
     State Legislatures (NCSL), National Association of Counties 
     (NACo), National Association of State Aviation Officials 
     (NASAO), American Association of State Highway and 
     Transportation Officials, Association of Uncrewed Vehicle 
     Systems International (AUVSI), Commercial Drone Alliance 
     (CDA).
       NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors 
     Association, Northeast UAS Airspace Integration Research 
     Alliance, Inc (NUAIR), Alaska Department of Transportation & 
     Public Facilities, Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, Kansas UAS 
     Joint Task Force, Texas Association of Counties, San 
     Bernardino County.

  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this 
legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. GRAVES of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 5315 is bipartisan legislation that addresses 
problems we have seen in the United States.
  Mr. Speaker, we had a bridge collapse in Minnesota; we had a bridge 
collapse in Georgia; and, more recently, right on the Tennessee-
Arkansas line on the interstate, we saw a bridge collapse.
  All of these accidents that resulted in deaths and injuries and 
incredible impacts to traffic, they could have been prevented. They 
could have been prevented by lowering the threshold by doing safety 
inspections to critical infrastructure, like bridges; and this 
legislation helps to facilitate that.
  Mr. Speaker, over 90 percent of the drones that were flown in the 
United States used to be foreign-made, in fact, from China. This 
legislation not only helps to facilitate the incorporation of drone 
inspection, which is cheaper, it is more thorough, it is more easily 
accessible, and it lowers the threshold to safety inspections. It 
doesn't put workers at risk. But it also ensures that we continue 
making progress on this domestic drone industry and no longer cede this 
leadership role to China.
  This bill ensures that this is a domestic industry, U.S. technology, 
American jobs. And as the gentlewoman just said, this legislation also 
ensures that we have the workforce able to do this.
  This bill is for 2 years. It is not designed to be in perpetuity. It 
is 2 years. It is helping to seed this industry; helping to incorporate 
this technology into our State DOTs, into our programs related to 
utilities and transmission lines, and even in the aftermath of 
disasters which, unfortunately, in my home State of Louisiana, we often 
experience.
  I thank my friend for working with us on a bipartisan basis on this 
legislation, the gentleman from Arizona, the sponsor of this 
legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of this legislation, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.
  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from 
Arizona (Mr. Stanton).
  Mr. STANTON. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of this commonsense, 
bipartisan legislation, and I thank Chairman DeFazio and the gentleman 
from Louisiana (Mr. Graves) for working with me on it.
  Our country must do a better job inspecting infrastructure. There is 
a nationwide backlog, and it is because traditional methods of 
inspecting critical infrastructure are often time-consuming, dangerous, 
and expensive. Inspections are essential, though, and we have seen 
tragic results around the country when structural flaws go unnoticed.
  Modern technology has given us a great tool that we can use for 
inspections: Drones. Using a drone to inspect infrastructure in hard-
to-reach places, such as underneath bridges, can speed up the 
inspection process so that we

[[Page H7752]]

can get through the backlog more quickly, and it can help save money, 
as well.
  In fact, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation 
Officials estimate that utilizing drones reduces the cost of 
infrastructure inspections by 74 percent and the time needed to conduct 
the inspection by 88 percent.
  Not only that, but drone inspections are much safer for the workers 
than having a human hang under a tall bridge. It is an easy way to 
improve job safety.
  In my home State, the Arizona Department of Transportation has been 
using drones for several years to inspect hard-to-reach areas on 
bridges, and survey near highways where falling rocks or ground 
movements are potential hazards.
  What this bill does is simple: It gives more States, Tribes, and 
local governments the opportunity to use drones. It creates competitive 
grants to purchase, contract for services, or develop program 
capability for American-made, small, unmanned aircraft systems to 
perform critical infrastructure inspection, maintenance, operation, or 
repair projects. And it provides resources to train the next generation 
and upskill our existing workforce.
  This bill has broad support from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 
National Association of Counties, National League of Cities, National 
Conference of State Legislatures, National Association of State 
Aviation Officials, American Association of State Highway and 
Transportation Officials, the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems 
International, and many, many others.
  I urge my colleagues to support this important bipartisan bill.

                              {time}  1500

  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the 
legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton) that the House 
suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 5315, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. BIGGS. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further 
proceedings on this motion will be postponed.

                          ____________________