By: Ben Gielow

On Thursday, 29 May, AUVSI’s Advocacy Team was successful in getting Rep. Rush Holt (D-N.J.) to back down and not offer two amendments he filed to the 2015 Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriation Act (H.R. 4660),
which would have prohibited all local, state and federal law
enforcement agencies from buying or using a UAS. Thanks to all of you
that promptly answered our Action Alert and contacted their elected
representatives and educated them about the importance and value of UAS
for public safety officials.

Amendments to funding bills come up with little notice,
which is why we must be ready to act on a moments notice. After learning
of these amendments, AUVSI’s Advocacy Team contacted Rep. Holt to voice
our objections, we reached out to our allies on the Hill, including the
Congressional Unmanned Systems Caucus, and we contacted the top
committee staffers managing the bill on the floor
voicing our concerns and providing them talking points against the
amendments. We also organized and sent a letter to all 435 Congressmen
with the Airborne Law Enforcement Association voicing our concerns, and
prepared a press statement. These efforts were directly attributable to
getting Rep. Holt to back down and not offer his amendments. 

If AUVSI and our members would not have objected to these
amendments, it is likely they would have passed without anyone noticing
or anyone voicing objections. For this reason, it’s critical that we
remain vigilant to ensure Congress does not hamstring an industry poised
to create jobs and bring tremendous economic impact. Rest assured that
AUVSI will continue to advocate on your behalf. If you have any
questions or concerns, contact us at advocacy@auvsi.org.

Here are the amendments 

Offered By: Mr. Holt

    AMENDMENT NO. 11: At the end of the bill (before the short title), insert the following:

    Sec. __. None of the funds made available
by this Act may be used for the purchase or operation of an unmanned
aircraft system (as such term is defined in section 331(9) of the FAA
Modernization and Reform Act of 2012) by any State or local law
enforcement agency.

   Offered By: Mr. Holt

    AMENDMENT NO. 12: At the end of the bill (before the short title), insert the following:

    Sec. __. None of the funds made available
by this Act may be used by the Department of Justice to purchase or
operate an unmanned aircraft system (as such term is defined in section
331(9) of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012).