LIFT Act of 2025

Bill Number

H.R. 4686

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Transportation and Public Works

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-07-24: Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.

Last Updated

2025-10-25T08:05:48Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

The Local Innovation for Flight Technologies Act of 2025 (LIFT Act of 2025) aims to advance the safe and efficient integration of unmanned aircraft systems (drones) and electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft into the U.S. national airspace. It focuses on expanding operations beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS, meaning drones flying out of the operator's direct sight), streamlining regulatory processes, and promoting U.S.-based manufacturing and innovation.

Key Provisions

• Expanding BVLOS Operations (Section 3): Requires the Secretary of Transportation to issue a proposed rule within 30 days of enactment and a final rule within 6 months to enable routine BVLOS drone flights. Also mandates establishing safety performance metrics within 30 days and identifying regulatory barriers within 180 days, with recommendations submitted to the Office of Science and Technology Policy for quick resolution.

• International Operations (Section 4): Directs the Secretary to explore ways for U.S.-controlled drones over international waters (high seas) to avoid rules applied to manned aircraft under the Convention on International Civil Aviation (a global treaty governing air travel). Requires a report to Congress on barriers and legislative suggestions.

• AI in Waiver Processes (Section 5): Mandates deploying artificial intelligence (AI) tools within 120 days to speed up reviews of drone waiver applications under existing FAA rules (Part 107). These tools must evaluate risks, find similar past cases, suggest consistent safety measures, and identify operations that could skip individual waivers through new rules. AI use must follow federal guidelines, and the Secretary must assess applying it to broader exemption requests.

• eVTOL Pilot Program (Section 6): Establishes a grant program for state, local, Tribal, and territorial governments to test eVTOL operations (electric aircraft that take off and land vertically, like advanced air taxis). Includes issuing a request for proposals within 90 days, selecting projects within 180 days based on U.S.-based tech, geographic diversity, and uses (e.g., medical transport, cargo). Agreements outline goals, timelines, and data sharing. Requires initial and annual reports to Congress and the Office of Science and Technology Policy, with the program sunsetting after 3 years unless extended for national interest. Data from the program will inform future regulations and be shared with defense, justice, and homeland security agencies.

• Prioritization of U.S.-Made Drones (Section 7): Instructs the Secretary to favor integrating drones manufactured in the U.S. into the airspace over foreign-made ones, to the extent allowed by law.

Definitions (Section 2) reference existing U.S. code for terms like "unmanned aircraft system" (drones and their controls) and "appropriate committees of Congress" (key oversight groups in transportation).

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Introduces strict timelines for FAA rulemaking on BVLOS, which currently requires special waivers for operations beyond visual sight, potentially shifting from case-by-case approvals to routine permissions.
• Creates a new grant-based pilot program for eVTOL, building on but expanding prior FAA innovation efforts by involving local governments and prioritizing U.S. entities.
• Mandates AI use in regulatory reviews, a novel application to modernize drone permitting under Title 49 of the U.S. Code, which governs aviation.
• Adds prioritization for domestic manufacturing, aligning with broader trade policies but not altering core airspace rules.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: The Department of Transportation and FAA will face accelerated rulemaking and AI implementation, potentially reducing backlog in drone approvals but requiring new resources for metrics, reports, and grants. Interagency coordination (e.g., with science and defense offices) could enhance data sharing for national security.

• Citizens and Communities: Faster drone and eVTOL integration could improve services like rural delivery, medical emergencies, and air mobility, but raises safety concerns if regulations evolve quickly. Local governments gain funding opportunities for testing, potentially boosting regional economies.

• International Relations: Efforts to exempt drones from manned aircraft rules over high seas could influence global aviation standards, positioning the U.S. as a leader in drone tech while navigating treaty obligations. Prioritizing U.S. manufacturing may affect trade with drone-exporting countries like China.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Federal Agencies: Secretary of Transportation, FAA Administrator, Office of Science and Technology Policy (lead on implementation and reporting).
• Congress: Transportation and Infrastructure Committees (receive reports and recommendations).
• State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial Governments: Eligible for grants to partner on eVTOL pilots.
• Private Sector: U.S.-based drone and eVTOL companies (e.g., developers, manufacturers) benefit from prioritization, streamlined waivers, and pilot opportunities; foreign manufacturers may face hurdles.
• General Public and Operators: Drone hobbyists, commercial users (e.g., delivery services), and airspace users gain from expanded operations but must adapt to new safety metrics.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Relies on existing authority under Title 49 (FAA powers) but pushes for treaty interpretations (e.g., Chicago Convention) that could require international negotiations or amendments. AI deployment must comply with federal AI ethics guidelines (OMB M-25-21), ensuring transparency and risk assessment to avoid challenges under administrative law.

• Constitutional: No direct impacts, but expanded federal oversight of airspace (a federal domain) could intersect with state/local authority in pilot programs, emphasizing cooperative federalism.

• Political: Promotes U.S. innovation and manufacturing leadership, aligning with economic nationalism and tech competitiveness goals. Quick timelines may pressure agencies, potentially leading to debates on safety versus speed in aviation regulation. The bill's bipartisan sponsorship signals broad support for drone/eVTOL growth amid rising industry demands.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2]

Cosponsors (8)

Rep. Finstad, Brad [R-MN-1], Rep. Wittman, Robert J. [R-VA-1], Rep. McCormick, Richard [R-GA-7], Rep. Fine, Randy [R-FL-6], Rep. Shreve, Jefferson [R-IN-6], Rep. Crenshaw, Dan [R-TX-2], Rep. Obernolte, Jay [R-CA-23], Rep. Mills, Cory [R-FL-7]

Recent Actions

• 2025-07-24: Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.
• 2025-07-23: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
• 2025-07-23: Introduced in House
• 2025-07-23: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Local Innovation for Flight Technologies Act of 2025 — issued 2025-07-23 — PDF (9 pages)