[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6349727,"mediaKeyId","2236476-6c5f32b344937575dd162492f2640fde","parentId",2236476,"title","Wing pitches drone deliveries as committee reviews vertiport bill for air taxis","audioSeconds",1287,"startMs",3465000,"endMs",4752000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2236476-6c5f32b344937575dd162492f2640fde&start=3465&end=4752","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2236476-6c5f32b344937575dd162492f2640fde/thumbnail_3465000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6349727/Georgia/Wing-pitches-drone-deliveries-as-committee-reviews-vertiport-bill-for-air-taxis","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6349727-fc3bd6205b453cb2a1b7f51ec2dd2bb7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771092371&Signature=QTVjeHjXXf-AQYzhfVhXbB~3oA0BE~XalmthCPdJ6mXNweLhHKshK15nrh~qiE~lIiwO-jZ864DdaXJAa0D9L9Yckt~eIDIDX8-zf2oWAETOr~ELcwDlOa5CIfykAWFqJUsPUBJtK1JLcqPUfP6YGqzPlBvcZBoQO8JCpKh~L~P5kOrZy2Dj-BK5PYFf2LzAlwJkME9ZIOCgDJYtcIKFixGN37P32XxmOKdFcC2-FkbtV3jqRdHBFtAZYa0UYUb5wvEOFqBuOniV~nsWtaUWGR8LfeTvBjFMPievwm~iU45KwjX~RRWlMKevQ0SZmTJ~CahuH~XGxsSWyigwHAftow__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Georgia State Legislature ","date","2025-02-05T00:00:00Z","article","Wing Aviation representative Bailey Edwards told the House Technology Committee that Wing operates as a Part 135 air carrier and has completed more than 400,000 commercial deliveries globally. Edwards described Wing’s aircraft as about 11.5 pounds with a payload capacity of roughly 2.5 pounds, flying at cruise speeds of about 60 mph and operating roughly 30 meters above treetops under FAA-authorized operating specifications.

\"We are a Part 135 air carrier... We have made over 400,000 deliveries to paying customers globally so far,\" Edwards said, describing partnerships with Walmart and DoorDash and noting the aircraft's ability to operate within FAA limits and weather constraints.

Edwards said the company uses a flight operations center and pilots-in-command who oversee automated operations, can pause flights for safety concerns, and work to minimize overflight of private properties by routing flight paths. He highlighted potential uses beyond retail, including prescription delivery, and described community engagement and sustainability benefits (reduced road traffic and energy use) as part of Wing’s pitch.

Separately, committee members reviewed HP156 (LC 394,569 S), a short bill to classify vertiports — vertical takeoff and landing sites for air taxis — as general aviation facilities. The bill’s sponsor described a typical vertiport footprint as about 42,000 square feet (roughly 1 acre) and said designs anticipate three operating pads plus one for maintenance. The sponsor said making vertiports general aviation facilities could make them eligible for federal airport improvement grants that often use a 90/5/5 federal/state/local split.

Members asked questions about workforce development, landing-field siting, FAA environmental review timelines and how many vertiports might be approved in the Atlanta metro area; Edwards and the sponsor described ongoing FAA coordination and said market and FAA approvals will shape rollout timing. Representative Evans asked for a short summary of pharmacy/prescription delivery work in Texas; Edwards said state boards have allowed certain pharmacy-delivery models and noted private-sector piloting in other states.

Why it matters: Both the Wing presentation and the vertiports bill highlight how emerging aviation technologies — small-package drone delivery and larger electric vertical takeoff-and-landing (eVTOL) air taxis — are requiring legislative, regulatory and community coordination. The proposals implicate FAA preemption, local siting decisions and potential federal grant eligibility.

Ending: The committee held the vertiport bill item as a hearing-only briefing and encouraged follow-up conversations with members and stakeholders.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","02.05.25 Technology & Infrastructure Innovation","oneSentenceSummary","Wing Aviation presented its Part 135 delivery operations and technology to the House Technology Committee while members also reviewed a short bill to classify vertiports as general aviation facilities to support emerging air-taxi service.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature Georgia , Georgia","taxId",77688,"location","Georgia","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6349731,"Committee holds drone bill after extended questioning on definitions, enforcement and FAA overlap",1752,1680000,3432000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2236476-6c5f32b344937575dd162492f2640fde&start=1680&end=3432","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2236476-6c5f32b344937575dd162492f2640fde/thumbnail_1680000.jpg","/articles/6349731/Georgia/Committee-holds-drone-bill-after-extended-questioning-on-definitions-enforcement-and-FAA-overlap","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6349731-3630a39189fda8efe88c0a06bf557be3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771092371&Signature=olINr5vF-M2keb3G230lH7MtOguW-1kPr5VfF0VVU7kqbQzY---89f3QXmdnQcXl0bgxY-ceiSzBlxlEXOtRBJS4J9ZL79RmRoxud6GnPieDG-OZQNayLYMQ7rrqppU4rw7PlfReh4as8IEOkFCPRc9EdEVZLEpl2hfqxHpYhqCEfYmAqgmdJveLTizwTJlwAyC9Jf6tsANfh21Dnr9~u9BTzVksqEg1wwSmJzvIM4J3nX~Tb-dTnMXMUicjx5RO0vos5tzVykm-GVlp7n5mcLWVBLp6a~Tqn0vN~IEhQdHE52M~bLNdW56XdDMklwhCo6rgovicnm6vqTXEKrnKaQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Richardson presented a substitute to House Bill 58 (LC 39 45 75 S), a measure aimed at restricting unmanned aircraft over ticketed, gated mass gatherings and giving law enforcement a path to act when unauthorized drones enter those event spaces.

\"This will give a path for law enforcement to, to have a way forward,\" Representative Richardson said, describing the bill as a public-safety measure prompted by a rise in drone activity at outdoor events.

Committee members asked detailed questions about scope and enforcement. Several lawmakers noted the federal role in airspace regulation and asked how the bill would interact with FAA authority. The chair and other members repeatedly referenced the FAA’s operation specifications and temporary flight restrictions (TFRs) as an existing tool for event hosts. A committee member said that sections of the bill exempt FAA-authorized operations, and another observed that owners of a general aviation facility \"get to determine what happens in its airspace.\"

Members raised specific concerns the sponsor agreed to address: whether the bill needs a size or weight threshold to avoid capturing children’s toy aircraft; whether to define a safety radius around events so windblown drones from private yards would not be criminalized; whether to include only drones with surveillance capability; and whether ticketed versus non-ticketed events should be distinguished more clearly. Representative Tran asked the sponsor to consider a safety radius around an event; Representative Beckles requested data on incidents and a surveillance definition.

A technical point discussed at length: the bill sets a 400-foot ceiling (described by the sponsor as a vertical limit) and refers to FAA-certified equipment and operators. The sponsor said the bill is intended to cover concentrated, ticketed, gated events rather than widely spread events such as marathons.

After extended discussion, the committee chair asked the sponsor to convene follow-up meetings with members who raised questions and to return with revisions or answers by Wednesday. The chair said the bill would be held for now.

Why it matters: The measure would create a state-level enforcement path aimed at public-safety concerns at large, ticketed gatherings, but it raises questions about federal preemption, enforceable definitions, and unintended coverage of benign small drones or toys.

Ending: The committee held the bill for further stakeholder consultation and possible amendment; no formal vote on the bill’s merits was taken at the hearing.","Representative Richardson presented a substitute to House Bill 58 (LC 39 45 75 S) to restrict unmanned aircraft over ticketed, gated mass gatherings. Committee members pressed the sponsor on definitions, enforcement, the 400-foot ceiling and FAA preemption; the bill was held for further stakeholder input.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6349736,"Technology committee lowers quorum, advances bill requiring Georgia Technology Authority AI ethics review",64,1604000,1668000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2236476-6c5f32b344937575dd162492f2640fde&start=1604&end=1668","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2236476-6c5f32b344937575dd162492f2640fde/thumbnail_1604000.jpg","/articles/6349736/Georgia/Technology-committee-lowers-quorum-advances-bill-requiring-Georgia-Technology-Authority-AI-ethics-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6349736-bab1dc0b38797f34e8ae461c52714b30/orig.mp4?Expires=1771092371&Signature=TJO51W5DNvD6q43NPhwohFZACaidRBYS2jtfTCgIe-A381LtqtSL8aiYmXd3pgXlB1lgvAut~DDQwTHMQcNVUlyuYTySyD04KB7vBdRYvh1SEAlHxs57IHULZqbOI9BOCPOnXLW-akEeYdwnUIRBymnwtsQgN-xjgEHBokJaund96mBaunUEuzDbnCVNy4Uxdgf5vKhNJ~ewx1bbYvWd0wLXKUDA7KhmblNfXBGC9I1pXHdXS7T7srgAHtYO6blHW~x-8O2bI~S7I7wJphtomSrd5nxvvCx4wOWrYvbvEd-dJ8vAT0~rBa4GQvWNXWADgHC0RabL3YIfvsIOn25qiA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Technology Committee on an initial session vote adopted committee rules that lower the quorum from 12 members to eight and then moved, by voice, to advance House Bill 147 (LC 560,266).

The rules change was approved by voice vote after a member confirmed the only change from last year was the quorum reduction. A committee presenter described House Bill 147 as a bill that \"basically allows the Georgia Technology Authority to create an ethics, ethics policies, and do an annual report made and reviewed for artificial intelligence and, issue that report to the General Assembly.\" The presenter said the bill is the same copy that passed the House previously and was formerly numbered HB 988.

Committee members offered no recorded questions on the bill during the brief presentation. A motion to move the bill received a second and passed on a voice vote. The chair thanked the presenter for being \"efficient with our time.\"

Why it matters: The measure would authorize the state technology agency to establish ethics policies and produce an annual report to the legislature on artificial intelligence — an action the presenter framed as establishing a reporting and review path for AI uses in state government.

Next steps: The committee advanced the bill to the next stage of the House process. No further amendments were recorded in the hearing.

Ending: Committee business then continued with other agenda items.
","The House Technology Committee adopted a rules change lowering quorum from 12 to 8 and unanimously advanced House Bill 147 (LC 560,266), which directs the Georgia Technology Authority to develop AI ethics policies and report annually to the General Assembly.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Wing pitches drone deliveries as committee reviews vertiport bill for air taxis

Committee holds drone bill after extended questioning on definitions, enforcement and FAA overlap

Technology committee lowers quorum, advances bill requiring Georgia Technology Authority AI ethics review