The Senate approved legislation on Tuesday that would impose new regulations on drones, as part of a larger bill to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration through Sept. 30, 2017.
The bill, which passed 95-3, would for the first time require a safety test for operating drones that weigh more than 4.4 pounds. The bill would also require the FAA to approve of all drones, and impose criminal penalties for flying drones near airports.
The bill would speed up implementation of a satellite-based system to oversee air traffic, which is now operated under an antiquated system that some believe is less safe.
The Senate passed the bill after rejecting a string of amendments, including one by Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., that would have given the federal government the authority to prevent airlines from further shrinking the size of passenger seats.
It authorizes $33 billion for the FAA in 2016 and 2017.
The bill excludes a provision that would privatize the nation’s air traffic controllers, which is a top feature of the House FAA reauthorization bill. The House has not taken up its measure to reauthorize the FAA, which is now operating under a temporary extension.
