Overnight Regulation: Registration coming for drone users

Welcome to Overnight Regulation, your daily rundown of news from Capitol Hill and beyond. It’s Monday evening here in Washington and lawmakers are trickling back into town after a week off.

Here is the latest.

 

THE BIG STORY

The Obama administration wants drone users to register their aircrafts with the federal government.

On Monday, Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx and Federal Aviation Administration Administrator Michael Huerta announced plans to from a task force to make recommendations on how the registration process should work.

{mosads}This task force will be made up of 25 to 30 people from unmanned and manned aviation industry groups, the federal government and other interested parties.

The group will advise the Department of Transportation on which aircrafts should be exempt from having to register due to low safety risk and make safety recommendations that it deems appropriate. 

“Registering unmanned aircraft will help build a culture of accountability and responsibility, especially with new users who have no experience operating in the U.S. aviation system,” Foxx said in a news release.  “It will help protect public safety in the air and on the ground.”

The Hill’s Keith Laing has the full story:

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has been in the process of developing rules for commercial drones, but the new rules would also apply to recreational devices.

FAA Administrator Michael Huerta said the registration requirements are necessary to ensure drones can operate safely alongside commercial flights.

“These reports signal a troubling trend,” Huerta said.  “Registration will help make sure that operators know the rules and remain accountable to the public for flying their unmanned aircraft responsibly. When they don’t fly safely, they’ll know there will be consequences.” http://bit.ly/1jxvUlN

 

TOMORROW’S REGS TODAY

The Obama administration will publish 206 new regulations, proposed rules, notices and other administrative actions in Tuesday’s edition of the Federal Register.

–The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) will propose new space travel rules for astronauts.

As NASA shifts away from the Space Shuttle program that was shut down in 2011, the agency is looking to update its regulations to confirm with new ventures.

“The Space Shuttle program formally commenced in 1972,” NASA writes. “After a total of 135 flights, the last of which occurred in July 2011, the Space Shuttle was officially retired after 30 years of operation.

“With the end of the Space Shuttle program, many sections of this rule are no longer relevant and will be deleted,” the agency adds.

The public has 30 days to comment. http://bit.ly/1NkJ3sf

–The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will propose to expand healthcare benefits to wealthier veterans.

Previously, the VA considered a veteran’s net worth when determining their eligibility for low-cost healthcare, but the agency is dropping this requirement. However, veterans will still be required to report their annual income.

“The VA changed its policy to improve access to health care to lower-income veterans,” the agency wrote.

The public has 60 days to comment. http://bit.ly/1NRcq8p

–The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will delay new nutrition labeling regulations.

The nutrition labels are posted on conventional foods and dietary supplements to help provide consumers with information necessary to maintain a healthy diet.

The FDA proposed new labels back in March 2014, but the agency is reopening the comment period for a second time to give the public more time to consider the changes.

The public has until Oct. 23 to comment. http://bit.ly/1KkHiqc

–The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) will issue new regulations for volunteers.

The Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) program is facing changes to its regulatory structure.

“The VISTA program, sometimes referred to as the domestic Peace Corps, has operated since the first volunteers were placed in service in December 1964,” the agency wrote.

The new rules go into effect in 90 days. http://bit.ly/1ZRLedu

 

NEWS RIGHT NOW

Health groups urge FDA to investigate e-cig therapeutic claims http://bit.ly/1RSFefn

Study finds toxic chemical in nail polish http://bit.ly/1NRaih7

Supreme Court could change the way patent damages are awarded http://bit.ly/1M1mFQV

Painkiller crackdown sparks industry blowback http://bit.ly/1hNomcV

Obama administration backs bill to reduce prison time – The AP http://bit.ly/1jQCaEO

Obama administration says China not manipulating currency – The AP http://bit.ly/1QN4qD9

The biggest government backlog is getting worse, watchdog says, but Social Security has a plan – The Washington Post http://wapo.st/1RSJTOu

 

BY THE NUMBERS

300 percent: Increase in prescriptions of powerful painkillers from 1999 to 2013.

16,000: How many people died in 2013 from overdosing on painkillers.

259 million: How many prescriptions for powerful painkillers healthcare providers wrote in 2012 – enough for every American adult to have one bottle of pills.

(Source: the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) 

 

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“It is very troubling that nail polish being marketed to women and teenage girls contains a suspected endocrine disruptor. It is even more troubling to learn that their bodies absorb this chemical relatively quickly after they apply a coat of polish,” — Johanna Congleton, a senior scientist at the Environmental Working Group.

 

We’ll work to stay on top of these and other stories throughout the week, so check The Hill’s Regulation page (http://digital-release.thehill.com/regulation) early and often for the latest. And send any comments, complaints or regulatory news tips our way, tdevaney@digital-release.thehill.com or lwheeler@digital-release.thehill.com. And follow us at @timdevaney and@wheelerlydia.

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