Rep. Robert "Bob" Rita

Adopted in House on Apr 12, 2024

 

 


 

 


 
10300HB4715ham002LRB103 36099 BDA 71374 a

1
AMENDMENT TO HOUSE BILL 4715

2    AMENDMENT NO. ______. Amend House Bill 4715, AS AMENDED,
3by replacing everything after the enacting clause with the
4following:
 
5    "Section 5. The Illinois Aeronautics Act is amended by
6changing Section 42.1 as follows:
 
7    (620 ILCS 5/42.1)
8    Sec. 42.1. Regulation of unmanned aircraft systems.
9    (a) As used in this Section:
10    "Critical infrastructure" has the meaning given in
11subsection (e) of Section 1016 of the USA Patriot Act of 2001
12(42 U.S.C. 519c(e)).
13    "Unmanned aircraft" means a device used or intended to be
14used for flight in the air that is operated without the
15possibility of direct human intervention within or on the
16device.

 

 

10300HB4715ham002- 2 -LRB103 36099 BDA 71374 a

1    "Unmanned aircraft system" means an unmanned aircraft and
2its associated elements, including communication links and the
3components that control the unmanned aircraft, that are
4required for the safe and efficient operation of the unmanned
5aircraft in the National Airspace System national airspace
6system.
7    (b) Except as otherwise provided in this Section, to To
8the extent that State-level oversight does not conflict with
9federal laws, rules, or regulations, the regulation of an
10unmanned aircraft system is an exclusive power and function of
11the State. No unit of local government, including home rule
12unit, may enact an ordinance or resolution to regulate
13unmanned aircraft systems. This Section is a denial and
14limitation of home rule powers and functions under subsection
15(h) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution.
16This Section does not apply to any local ordinance enacted by a
17municipality of more than 1,000,000 inhabitants.
18    (b-5) Nothing in this Section shall be construed to deny a
19unit of local government the right to adopt reasonable rules
20related to the use by a private party of airspace that is above
21ground level of public property owned or controlled by that
22unit of local government. This subsection applies to publicly
23owned or controlled property that is intended or permitted to
24be used for recreational or conservation purposes, including,
25but not limited to, parks, playgrounds, aquatic facilities,
26wildlife areas, or other recreational facilities. This

 

 

10300HB4715ham002- 3 -LRB103 36099 BDA 71374 a

1subsection does not authorize restricting or limiting the use
2of unmanned aircraft systems when such usage is by commercial
3users for business operations in connection with critical
4infrastructure. Reasonable rules adopted pursuant to this
5subsection shall not supersede any administrative rules
6adopted by the Department or any federal laws, rules, or
7regulations.
8    (c) Nothing in this Section shall infringe or impede any
9current right or remedy available under existing State law.
10    (d) The Department may adopt any rules that it finds
11appropriate to address the safe and legal operation of
12unmanned aircraft systems in this State, so that those engaged
13in the operation of unmanned aircraft systems may so engage
14with the least possible restriction, consistent with their
15safety and with the safety and the rights of others, and in
16compliance with federal rules and regulations.
17(Source: P.A. 100-735, eff. 8-3-18.)".