A. The Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission is hereby established as the clearinghouse for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) in the State of Oklahoma and shall be designated as the agency of this state for the promotion, enhancement and development of UAS and to ensure the safe integration and use of this new technology within the state. The purpose of this clearinghouse is to create a partnership between those entities that currently operate UAS, those that desire to use this technology in the future and other entities that can support the research and development of UAS to ensure that the State of Oklahoma can more effectively respond to the needs of this critical sector of the aviation and aerospace industry. In the operation of this clearinghouse, the Commission shall cooperate, assist and coordinate with the federal government, agencies of this state, tribal entities, municipalities and other persons in the development of unmanned aircraft systems throughout the state to ensure the acceptance of this technology and the successful integration of UAS into the National Airspace System. Contingent upon the availability of funds, the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission may use established program processes or may contract with other qualified entities to carry out the duties and responsibilities of this act.
B. The primary goal of the UAS clearinghouse within the Commission is to establish a central point within state government to develop the strategy for how the State of Oklahoma can become a leader in the UAS industry. It will focus the collective resources, knowledge, information and assets within state government to ensure coordinated efforts amongst all parties. The clearinghouse will:
1. Conduct research on what other states and localities are doing insofar as their UAS rules and regulations so that it can provide recommendations to ensure Oklahoma is in the best position within the industry;
2. Organize and coordinate the application for any UAS test site, integration opportunity, pilot program or grant funding on behalf of the State of Oklahoma;
3. Maintain a registry of UAS being operated by state agencies, except those UAS that are part of a university-affiliated research program; and
4. Maintain a registry of educational institutions that offer training programs for users of UAS.
Added by Laws 2021, c. 419, § 2, eff. Nov. 1, 2021.
NOTE: Editorially renumbered from § 401 of this title to avoid a duplication in numbering.