H.R. 3478: Manned Aircraft Clarification Act
This bill, known as the Manned Aircraft Clarification Act, proposes amendments to existing U.S. laws regarding the destruction and piracy of aircraft. It aims to specify that certain legal penalties only apply to manned aircraft, which are aircraft that have a pilot and crew on board, as opposed to unmanned or drone aircraft.
Key Provisions of the Bill
The bill includes the following key provisions:
- Destruction of Manned Aircraft: The current law that outlines penalties for the destruction of aircraft will be updated to emphasize that these penalties apply specifically to manned aircraft. This means that when someone is charged under this law for destroying an aircraft, it will only pertain to aircraft that carry people, rather than any type of aircraft, including drones.
- Aircraft Piracy: Similarly, the language in the law regarding aircraft piracy will also be amended to clarify that such acts are applicable only to manned aircraft. The term "an aircraft" will be replaced with "a manned aircraft" in the relevant legal code.
- Table of Contents Update: The bill calls for an update to the legal code's table of sections to reflect these changes, ensuring that it is clear that penalties are specifically for manned aircraft.
Rationale Behind the Bill
The intent of this bill is to provide clarity and specificity in legal definitions and to ensure that the legal framework addresses the growing distinction between manned and unmanned aircraft. As the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) increases, the bill seeks to prevent overlap in legal repercussions that may not be applicable to unmanned aircraft.
By focusing on manned aircraft only, the bill may be seen as a way to streamline the legal process surrounding aircraft-related crimes and to ensure that penalties are appropriately tailored to the nature of the aircraft involved in any given incident.
Implications
If passed, this legislation would mean that individuals or entities facing charges related to the destruction of aircraft or aircraft piracy would only face penalties if the aircraft in question is manned. This change could potentially reduce legal ambiguities and provide clearer guidance for law enforcement and judicial proceedings concerning aircraft-related crimes.
Relevant Companies
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Sponsors
1 sponsor
Actions
3 actions
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| May. 18, 2025 | Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation. |
| May. 17, 2025 | Introduced in House |
| May. 17, 2025 | Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. |
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