We are now three months into 2023 and have reached the halfway point of most state legislative sessions. Coming into this year, AUVSI revamped its state strategy, moving to a more proactive approach, actively engaging at a more frequent and effective level, and showing high value to our members as well as strong leadership in the state advocacy space.
In December of 2022, we launched our 50-state drone-focused educational initiative, Drone Prepared. Since launch, we have reached out to legislators in all 50 states, held dozens of meetings with key stakeholders, gotten multiple variations of our language introduced, passed our model bill into law, and promoted our work through podcasts, articles, and social media.
Policy
Policy
March Recap: 2023 State Legislative Sessions
The latest from State Advocacy: As March came to a close, so did the end of the third month of the legislative session. Alabama and Florida convened for their 2023 regular sessions, while Wyoming, Utah, South Dakota, West Virginia, Kentucky, New Mexico, Idaho, Maine, and Georgia adjourned.
What's next from our team: As states that were active in drone policy adjourn, AUVSI will be putting out end of session reports grading the legislation introduced and engagement of the legislature. See our already-published reports on Missippi, Utah, and Wyoming.
2023 End of State Sessions Report: Mississippi
Mississippi had an active and engaged 2023 legislative session. Due to the interest from the legislature, strong work of the research institutions, and the friendly environment that the State has shown for innovative technology, AUVSI targeted Mississippi from the beginning for our educational Drone Prepared campaign. The state was receptive and encouraging to work with, and within three months Drone Prepared was law. In every way, from legislation to engagement, the Mississippi legislature went above and beyond this year.
2023 State Legislative Sessions - January Recap
As January ends, so does the first month of the 2023 legislative session, with all states except four currently meeting in their regular sessions. It’s already clear that advanced air mobility (AAM) and uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) will be a hot topic facing legislatures across the country this year.
States in Session: Drone Legislation We’re Tracking
This month, state legislatures came into session for 2023. All 50 states will be meeting in unrestricted sessions this year.
States have the ability to push forward the industry through UAS and AAM friendly policy. When states support and collaborate with the emerging uncrewed systems industry, it provides immense public benefit for all.
AUVSI Supports North Dakota Executive Budget for UAS
Last week, AUVSI submitted letters of support for North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum’s 2023-2025 Executive Budget. Governor Burgum announced his budget in December with his Budget Address, which includes $37 million in total for the UAS industry.
Tech, Regulatory, Market, and Media Trends to Watch In 2023: Takeaways From AUVSI’s Future Forecast Webinar
The advancement of uncrewed technology relies heavily on a variety of factors coming together and shaping the future of the industry. The industry is in exciting stages of both innovation and operations and AUVSI is eagerly leaning into both in the new year.
AUVSI Advocacy Successes in FY 2023 Omnibus
As the industry’s leading advocacy organization, this year AUVSI has diligently advocated for appropriations priorities, across all three domains and in the commercial and defense sectors, to advance and scale the uncrewed systems and robotics industries. AUVSI both adopted our own appropriations priorities and advocated for our members’ own appropriations requests.
AUVSI Urges Congress to Avoid Full-Year CR
Today, AUVSI urged Congressional leadership to avoid funding the federal government via a full-year continuing resolution (CR) and explained how it would negatively impact the uncrewed vehicle industrial base and U.S. global competitiveness.
As Michael Robbins, Chief Advocacy Officer, wrote, it is critical in this era of strategic global competition for the U.S. to invest where we can gain an edge -- and our position as a global leader in tech and innovation can provide that edge. However, a yearlong CT would hinder our competitiveness and weaken the domestic industrial base.
Read the full letter here, with text pasted below:
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AUVSI Launches Multi-State "Drone Prepared" Advocacy Campaign to Help States Prepare for the Future of Advanced Aviation
Today, the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) announced the launch of “Drone Prepared,” a multi-state initiative to help lawmakers ensure that their state or locality is ready for the benefits the future of uncrewed and autonomous flight will bring to their communities.
