H.R. 9058 – First Responders Aerial Act of 2022

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Updated February 8, 2026 at 6:00 PM UTC

The First Responders Aerial Act of 2022 amends aviation law to let first‑response agencies such as fire, police, search‑and‑rescue and other public safety groups operate actively tethered unmanned aircraft systems. It defines “actively tethered” to include redundant flight control and automatic landing if the tether separates, and sets safety distance rules for operating near airports. The bill also creates definitions for emergency response situations and public tethered UAS, and directs the FAA to issue guidance within 90 days.

Key Provisions

Adds definitions for “actively tethered unmanned aircraft systems,” requiring redundant flight capability and programmed controlled landing if the tether separates.
Allows emergency service organizations to operate public actively tethered UAS in emergencies, with distance limits of at least 0.25 mile from an airport when not in runway approach/departure paths, 0.5 mile when in those paths, or closer with air‑traffic‑control approval.
Defines “emergency response situation,” “emergency service organization,” and “public actively tethered unmanned aircraft system.”
Requires the FAA Administrator to publish implementation guidance within 90 days of the Act’s enactment.

Legislative Activity

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2 earlier actions

HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.

Aviation Subcommittee

September 30, 2022

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

September 29, 2022

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

Transportation and Infrastructure Committee

September 29, 2022

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.

Aviation Subcommittee

September 30, 2022

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued September 29, 2022

I

117th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 9058

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

September 29, 2022

Ms. Johnson of Texas (for herself and Mr. Nehls) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

A BILL

To amend title 49, United States Code, to permit the operation of actively tethered unmanned aircraft systems by all first responders, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the First Responders Aerial Act of 2022.

2.

Definition of actively tethered unmanned aircraft systems

Section 44801(1) of title 49, United States Code, is amended—

(1)

in subparagraph (B) by striking and at the end;

(2)

in subparagraph (C) by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and

(3)

by adding at the end the following:

(D)

has redundant flight functionality which permits the unmanned aircraft component to maintain normal flight control in the event that a rotor or flight mechanism fails during flight; and

(E)

is programed to initiate a controlled landing in the event of a tether separation.

.

3.

Operation of public actively tethered unmanned aircraft systems

(a)

In general

Section 44806(c) of title 49, United States Code, is amended—

(1)

in paragraph (1)(B)—

(A)

in clause (i) by striking or at the end;

(B)

in clause (ii) by inserting ; or at the end; and

(C)

by adding at the end the following:

(iii)

in an emergency response situation—

(I)

at least a 0.25 mile radius away from an airport, if such systems are not operating in the approach or departure flight path for a runway at such airport;

(II)

at least a 0.5 mile radius away from an airport, if such systems are operating in the approach or departure flight path for a runway at an airport; or

(III)

with approval of air traffic control personnel for an airport if such systems are operating closer to an airport than permitted under subclauses (I) and (II);

; and

(2)

by adding at the end the following:

(5)

Definitions

In this subsection:

(A)

Emergency response situation

The term emergency response situation means any situation that requires a response by an emergency service organization.

(B)

Emergency service organization

The term emergency service organization means any entity, including an entity contracting with a State or local government, that provides emergency services or training for emergency service providers, including—

(i)

a fire department;

(ii)

a police department;

(iii)

a search and rescue organization; and

(iv)

a public safety organization.

(C)

Public actively tethered unmanned aircraft system

The term public actively tethered unmanned aircraft system means an actively tethered unmanned aircraft system that is—

(i)

a public unmanned aircraft system; and

(ii)

operated by an emergency service organization.

.

(b)

Agency guidance

Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall issue guidance on the implementation of the amendments made by this section.