Both sides have signed this (Bill Ranking)
H.R. 6460 · 119th Congress (2025-2026)
2 members · Left 1 · Center 0 · Right 1 (Bill Ranking)
| Sponsor | Rep. Mann, Tracey (R-KS) (Introduced 12/04/2025) |
|---|---|
| Sponsor Voting Record | Right · DW-NOMINATE +0.61 · measured from every roll-call vote this member has cast (voteview.com) (Sponsor Ranking) |
| Support |
LLLCLRR support across the spectrum: 2 members signed on (Bill Ranking) this bill: sponsor + current cosponsors, each once |
| Committees | Senate - Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee; House - Transportation and Infrastructure Committee; House - Transportation and Infrastructure Committee; House - Transportation and Infrastructure Committee; House - Transportation and Infrastructure Committee |
| Latest Action | 03/25/2026 Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. |
| Roll Call Votes | There have been no roll call votes |
| Source | view on congress.gov → |
Reported to House (03/16/2026)
Recreational Drone Empowerment Act
This bill expands the areas in which recreational unmanned aircraft systems (i.e., drones) are authorized to fly.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has various classifications for airspace, including Class E airspace, which is controlled airspace that is comprised of multiple sectors (e.g., Classes E1 to E5). Class E airspace includes sectors that (1) generally begin where Class G airspace (i.e., uncontrolled airspace) ends, and (2) are associated with an airport surface area or a surface level extension to another class of airspace.
Under current law, recreational drones may generally operate in certain circumstances from a fixed site, including within Class B, C, or D airspace. They may also operate within Class G airspace (1) up to 400 feet above ground level, without prior FAA authorization; and (2) over 400 feet above ground level with prior FAA authorization.
The FAA has interpreted current law to allow recreational drone operations in Class E2 airspace designated for an airport and prohibit recreational drone operations in other Class E sectors.
The bill specifies that the FAA may authorize recreational drones to operate at fixed site locations in Class E airspace that is
119 HR 6460 EH: Recreational Drone Empowerment Act U.S. House of Representatives text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. IB 119th CONGRESS2d Session H. R. 6460
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AN ACT To amend title 49, United States Code, to clarify exceptions for limited recreational operations of unmanned aircraft, and for other purposes.
1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Recreational Drone Empowerment Act.
2.Clarifying recreational operations of drone systemsSection 44809(c)(2)(C) of title 49, United States Code, is amended— (1)in the heading by inserting and Class E after Uncontrolled; and (2)by inserting , Class E airspace above Class G airspace, or a Class E airspace designated as an extension to a Class B, Class C, Class D, or Class E surface area after Class G airspace. Passed the House of Representatives March 24, 2026.Kevin F. McCumber,Clerk.
119 HR 6460 IH: Recreational Drone Empowerment Act U.S. House of Representatives 2025-12-04 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. I119th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 6460IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESDecember 4, 2025Mr. Mann (for himself and Ms. Davids of Kansas) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and InfrastructureA BILLTo amend title 49, United States Code, to clarify exceptions for limited recreational operations of unmanned aircraft, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Recreational Drone Empowerment Act.2.Clarifying recreational operations of drone systemsSection 44809(c)(2)(C) of title 49, United States Code, is amended—(1)in the heading by inserting and Class E after Uncontrolled; and(2)by inserting , Class E airspace above Class G airspace, or a Class E airspace designated as an extension to a Class B, Class C, Class D, or Class E surface area after Class G airspace.
119 HR 6460 : Recreational Drone Empowerment Act U.S. House of Representatives 2026-03-25 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. IIB119th CONGRESS2d SessionH. R. 6460IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESMarch 25, 2026Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and TransportationAN ACTTo amend title 49, United States Code, to clarify exceptions for limited recreational operations of unmanned aircraft, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Recreational Drone Empowerment Act.2.Clarifying recreational operations of drone systemsSection 44809(c)(2)(C) of title 49, United States Code, is amended—(1)in the heading by inserting and Class E after Uncontrolled; and(2)by inserting , Class E airspace above Class G airspace, or a Class E airspace designated as an extension to a Class B, Class C, Class D, or Class E surface area after Class G airspace.Passed the House of Representatives March 24, 2026.Kevin F. McCumber,Clerk.
119 HR 6460 RH: Recreational Drone Empowerment Act U.S. House of Representatives 2026-03-16 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. IBUnion Calendar No. 472119th CONGRESS2d SessionH. R. 6460[Report No. 119–549]IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESDecember 4, 2025Mr. Mann (for himself and Ms. Davids of Kansas) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and InfrastructureMarch 16, 2026Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printedA BILLTo amend title 49, United States Code, to clarify exceptions for limited recreational operations of unmanned aircraft, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Recreational Drone Empowerment Act.2.Clarifying recreational operations of drone systemsSection 44809(c)(2)(C) of title 49, United States Code, is amended—(1)in the heading by inserting and Class E after Uncontrolled; and(2)by inserting , Class E airspace above Class G airspace, or a Class E airspace designated as an extension to a Class B, Class C, Class D, or Class E surface area after Class G airspace.March 16, 2026Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed
The bill's own words, from our database (synced from the GPO BILLS XML); paragraph breaks added at the bill's section boundaries, nothing else changed.
| Date | Chamber | All Actions |
|---|---|---|
| 12/04/2025 | Library of Congress | Introduced in House |
| 12/04/2025 | Library of Congress | Introduced in House |
| 12/04/2025 | House floor actions | Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. |
| 12/05/2025 | House committee actions | Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation. |
| 12/18/2025 | House committee actions | Subcommittee on Aviation Discharged |
| 12/18/2025 | House committee actions | Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held |
| 12/18/2025 | House committee actions | Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote. |
| 03/16/2026 | Library of Congress | Reported by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 119-549. |
| 03/16/2026 | House floor actions | Reported by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 119-549. |
| 03/16/2026 | House floor actions | Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 472. |
| 03/24/2026 | House floor actions | Mr. Taylor moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. |
| 03/24/2026 | House floor actions | Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2659-2660) |
| 03/24/2026 | House floor actions | DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6460. |
| 03/24/2026 | Library of Congress | Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. |
| 03/24/2026 | House floor actions | On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2659) |
| 03/24/2026 | House floor actions | Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. |
| 03/25/2026 | Senate | Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. |
| Title Type | Title |
|---|---|
| Short Titles from RFS (Referred to Senate) bill text | Recreational Drone Empowerment Act |
| Short Title(s) as Passed House | Recreational Drone Empowerment Act |
| Official Titles from EH (Engrossed in House) bill text | To amend title 49, United States Code, to clarify exceptions for limited recreational operations of unmanned aircraft, and for other purposes. |
| Short Title(s) as Reported to House | Recreational Drone Empowerment Act |
| Display Title | Recreational Drone Empowerment Act |
| Short Title(s) as Introduced | Recreational Drone Empowerment Act |
| Official Title as Introduced | To amend title 49, United States Code, to clarify exceptions for limited recreational operations of unmanned aircraft, and for other purposes. |
There are no amendments to this bill.
* = Original cosponsor
| Committee | Activity |
|---|---|
| Senate - Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee | 03/25/2026 Referred To |
| House - Transportation and Infrastructure Committee | 03/16/2026 Reported By |
| House - Transportation and Infrastructure Committee | 12/18/2025 Markup By |
| House - Transportation and Infrastructure Committee | 12/18/2025 Discharged from |
| House - Transportation and Infrastructure Committee | 12/04/2025 Referred To |
No related bill information was received for H.R. 6460.
Policy Area: Transportation and Public Works
All data on this page comes from our own database (legislation.congress_* tables), synced daily from the GPO govinfo BILLSTATUS and BILLS collections. Formatted after congress.gov; nothing is generated. Member placement is their DW-NOMINATE score (voteview.com, Lewis et al.) - a measurement of roll-call voting behavior, not our judgement. Buckets: Left below −0.50 · Lean Left to −0.25 · Center to +0.25 · Lean Right to +0.50 · Right above +0.50. The bill's Support meter aggregates the people who signed the bill - sponsor and current cosponsors, each counted once - nothing else.