HJR226INTRODUCED
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HJR226
5TW836M-1
By Representatives Lomax, Rigsby, Robertson
RFD: Rules
First Read: 09-Apr-25
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5 5TW836M-1 03/19/2025 THR (L)ma 2025-749
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First Read: 09-Apr-25
HJR___ ESTABLISHING THE ALABAMA UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEM
STUDY COMMISSION.
WHEREAS, the rapid development of unmanned aircraft
technology, often called "drones," has provided great
benefits to government agencies, businesses, industry, and
agriculture in Alabama; and
WHEREAS, the use of drones to protect citizens, law
enforcement officers, and first responders from danger is an
especially important function; and
WHEREAS, defense and intelligence authorities in the
United States and among our allies have found that certain
drones manufactured by companies in or affiliated with
hostile foreign nations have the capacity to engage in
unauthorized transfers of data to intelligence and
government authorities in those hostile nations; now
therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA, BOTH
HOUSES THEREOF CONCURRING, That there is created the Alabama
Unmanned Aircraft System Study Commission to evaluate the
use of drones within this state, the vulnerability of drones
to unauthorized transfer of data by hostile actors, any
practices or protocols necessary to secure sensitive data,
and the feasibility of alternatives to current
foreign-sourced drones.
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foreign-sourced drones.
(a) The membership of the study commission shall
consist of all of the following:
(1) One member appointed by the Governor.
(2) One member appointed by the Lieutenant Governor.
(3) One member appointed by the President Pro Tempore
of the Senate.
(4) One member appointed by the Minority Leader of
the Senate.
(5) One member appointed by the Speaker of the House
of Representatives.
(6) One member appointed by the Minority Leader of
the House of Representatives.
(7) The State Budget Officer.
(8) One member appointed by the Secretary of the
Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency.
(9) One member appointed by the Attorney General.
(b) The appointing authorities shall coordinate their
appointments to ensure the study commission membership is
inclusive and reflects the racial, gender, geographic,
urban, rural, and economic diversity of the state.
(c) The study commission shall evaluate all of the
following:
(1) The use of drones within the state.
(2) The potential vulnerability of drones to
unauthorized data transfers initiated by hostile actors.
(3) Any practices or protocols necessary to secure
sensitive data.
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sensitive data.
(4) The feasibility of alternatives to current
foreign-sourced drones.
(d) The first meeting of the study commission shall
be held at the call of the Governor no later than 90 days
after this resolution's passage, at which time the study
commission shall elect a chair and a vice chair. The study
commission may then meet as necessary to conduct business.
(e) The Legislative Services Agency, the Clerk of the
House of Representatives, and the Secretary of the Senate
shall provide administrative and other assistance for the
work of the study commission as necessary.
(f)(1) The legislative members of the study
commission shall be entitled to their legislative
compensation, per diem, and travel expenses for each day
they attend a meeting of the study commission pursuant to
Section 49 of the Constitution of Alabama of 2022.
(2) The nonlegislative members of the study
commission shall serve without compensation but may be
reimbursed for necessary expenses in attending meetings of
the study commission pursuant to the policies of their
respective appointing authority.
(g) The study commission shall prepare and submit a
report of its findings to the Legislature not later than the
fifteenth legislative day of the 2026 Regular Session, at
which point the study commission shall stand dissolved and
discharged of any future duties and liabilities.
(h) Pursuant to Section 36-14-17.1, Code of Alabama
1975, the study commission shall provide a notice of all
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1975, the study commission shall provide a notice of all
meetings, the name of each member serving on the study
commission, and a copy of the final report and any other
documents produced by the study commission throughout its
duration to the Secretary of State.
(i) Each appointing authority named herein shall be
provided a copy of this resolution upon its passage.
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