HCR 127 Summary

• Directs the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT) and University of Hawaii to establish a Hawaii Drone Working Group to review drone use issues and develop recommendations for regulating drones in the state.

• Working Group must submit an interim report to the Legislature no later than twenty days before the 2019 Regular Session and a final report no later than twenty days before the 2020 Regular Session, then cease operations on June 30, 2020.

• Comprises 19 members including University of Hawaii's UAS Program Director (Chair), legislative committee chairs, state agency directors, federal representatives, county officials, and private sector representatives from business, aerospace, aviation, film, drone industries, and privacy advocacy groups.

• Tasked with reviewing national and regional drone regulatory standards and laws, then making recommendations on how Hawaii should regulate drone use and operation.

• Recognizes Hawaii's designation as a national unmanned aerial systems test site and the state's unique position to impact development of national drone standards while addressing local concerns about privacy, safety, and nuisance issues.