Recreational Drone Empowerment Act

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Bill ID: 119/hr/6460
Last Updated: April 2, 2026

Sponsored by

Rep. Mann, Tracey [R-KS-1]

ID: M000871

Bill's Journey to Becoming a Law

Track this bill's progress through the legislative process

Latest Action

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

March 25, 2026

Introduced

Committee Review

Floor Action

Passed House

Senate Review

📍 Current Status

Next: Both chambers must agree on the same version of the bill.

🎉

Passed Congress

🖊️

Presidential Action

⚖️

Became Law

📚 How does a bill become a law?

1. Introduction: A member of Congress introduces a bill in either the House or Senate.

2. Committee Review: The bill is sent to relevant committees for study, hearings, and revisions.

3. Floor Action: If approved by committee, the bill goes to the full chamber for debate and voting.

4. Other Chamber: If passed, the bill moves to the other chamber (House or Senate) for the same process.

5. Conference: If both chambers pass different versions, a conference committee reconciles the differences.

6. Presidential Action: The President can sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action.

7. Became Law: If signed (or if Congress overrides a veto), the bill becomes law!

Bill Summary

Another masterpiece of legislative theater, courtesy of the geniuses in Congress. The "Recreational Drone Empowerment Act" - because what's more empowering than allowing people to fly tiny helicopters around without any real oversight? (Sarcasm alert: yes, I'm thrilled.)

**Main Purpose & Objectives:** Ah, who are we kidding? This bill is a classic case of "Regulatory Capture-itis," where special interest groups (in this case, the drone lobby) have successfully infected lawmakers with their influence. The main purpose is to loosen regulations on recreational drone use, because God forbid we actually prioritize public safety or national security.

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** The bill amends Section 44809(c)(2)(C) of title 49, United States Code, to clarify exceptions for limited recreational operations of unmanned aircraft. In layman's terms, it allows drones to fly in more areas with fewer restrictions. Because, you know, what could possibly go wrong with thousands of unregulated flying devices zipping around? It's not like we've seen any drone-related accidents or security breaches before... (eyeroll)

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** The usual suspects: drone manufacturers, hobbyists, and the FAA (which will have to deal with the inevitable fallout). Oh, and let's not forget the poor souls who'll have to endure the noise pollution and potential safety risks associated with increased drone activity. But hey, who needs peace and quiet when you can have drones buzzing around?

**Potential Impact & Implications:** This bill is a symptom of a larger disease: the "Lobbyist-Induced Coma" that has afflicted our legislative system. By catering to special interests, Congress is putting profits over people (what's new?). The potential impact? More drones in the skies, more accidents waiting to happen, and more opportunities for malicious actors to exploit lax regulations. But hey, at least the drone industry will get a nice boost... until someone gets hurt, that is.

In conclusion, HR 6460 is a textbook example of how our legislative system has become a farce. It's a bill written by lobbyists, for lobbyists, with zero regard for the public interest. So, go ahead and pop the champagne corks, drone enthusiasts! Just don't say I didn't warn you when the inevitable happens...

Related Topics

Federal Budget & Appropriations Government Operations & Accountability National Security & Intelligence Criminal Justice & Law Enforcement State & Local Government Affairs Congressional Rules & Procedures Transportation & Infrastructure Small Business & Entrepreneurship Civil Rights & Liberties
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💰 Campaign Finance Network

Rep. Mann, Tracey [R-KS-1]

Congress 119 • 2024 Election Cycle

Total Contributions
$165,270
25 donors
PACs
$0
Organizations
$27,000
Committees
$0
Individuals
$138,270

No PAC contributions found

1
POSARE SALON
2 transactions
$6,600
2
EASTERN BAND OF CHEROKEE INDIANS
2 transactions
$5,800
3
PRAIRIE BAND POTAWATOMI NATION
1 transaction
$3,300
4
THE CHICKASAW NATION
1 transaction
$3,300
5
HABEMATOLEL POMO OF UPPER LAKE
1 transaction
$2,500
6
POLITY GROUP LLC
1 transaction
$2,500
7
BARKER FOR SHERIFF
1 transaction
$1,000
8
CARBON RIVERS, INC.
1 transaction
$1,000
9
LYNN D'ELIA TEMES & STANCZYK
1 transaction
$1,000

No committee contributions found

1
DEMETREE, MARK
1 transaction
$13,200
2
CORDES, SHANE L.
1 transaction
$13,200
3
FLOYD, MARTIE
2 transactions
$13,200
4
MANN, ROETTA D.
2 transactions
$13,200
5
HEMMER, THOMAS M.
2 transactions
$13,200
6
HEBENSTREIT, JAMES
1 transaction
$6,600
7
BARTON, TIMOTHY
1 transaction
$6,600
8
HURD, MATTHEW D.
1 transaction
$6,600
9
OLSEN, LINDSAY
1 transaction
$6,600
10
MORRISON, AARON
1 transaction
$6,600
11
CROSSLAND, IVAN
1 transaction
$6,600
12
MURFIN, DAVID L.
1 transaction
$6,600
13
BORCK, LEE
1 transaction
$6,600
14
ANDERSON, STEVE
1 transaction
$6,600
15
VAN COURT, PHILLIP
1 transaction
$6,600
16
SILVER, LARRY
1 transaction
$6,270

Cosponsors & Their Campaign Finance

This bill has 1 cosponsors. Below are their top campaign contributors.

Rep. Davids, Sharice [D-KS-3]

ID: D000629

Top Contributors

10

1
HO-CHUNK NATION
Organization BLACK RIVER FALLS, WI
$3,300
Oct 21, 2024
2
LEECH LAKE BAND OF OJIBWE
Organization CASS LAKE, MN
$3,300
Nov 4, 2024
3
MATCH-E-BE-NASH-SHE-WISH BAND OF POTTAWATOMI INDIANS
Organization SHELBYVILLE, MI
$3,300
Oct 23, 2024
4
PASCUA YAQUI TRIBE
Organization TUCSON, AZ
$3,300
Nov 1, 2024
5
PRAIRIE ISLAND TRIBAL COUNCIL
Organization WELCH, MN
$3,300
Oct 23, 2024
6
REDDING RANCHERIA
Organization REDDING, CA
$3,300
Nov 5, 2024
7
THE UTE INDIAN TRIBE
Organization FORT DUCHESNE, UT
$3,300
Nov 15, 2024
8
CHEROKEE NATION
Organization TAHLEQUAH, OK
$3,300
Dec 29, 2023
9
CHEROKEE NATION
Organization TAHLEQUAH, OK
$3,300
Dec 29, 2023
10
HO CHUNK NATION
Organization BLACK RIVER FALLS, WI
$3,300
Dec 8, 2023

Donor Network - Rep. Mann, Tracey [R-KS-1]

PACs
Organizations
Individuals
Politicians

Hub layout: Politicians in center, donors arranged by type in rings around them.

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Showing 30 nodes and 33 connections

Total contributions: $175,170

Top Donors - Rep. Mann, Tracey [R-KS-1]

Showing top 25 donors by contribution amount

9 Orgs16 Individuals