EXPANDING USE OF INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES IN THE GULF OF MEXICO.

SEC. 937. [49 U.S.C. 44803 note] EXPANDING USE OF INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES IN THE GULF OF MEXICO. (a) In General.—The Administrator shall prioritize the authorization of an eligible UAS test range sponsor partnering with an eligible airport authority to achieve the goals specified in subsection (b). (b) Goals.—The goals of a partnership authorized pursuant to subsection (a) shall be to test the operations of innovative technologies in both commercial and non-commercial applications, consistent with existing law, to— (1) identify challenges associated with aviation operations over large bodies of water; (2) provide transportation of cargo and passengers to offshore energy infrastructure; (3) assess the impacts of operations in saltwater environments; (4) identify the challenges of integrating such technologies in complex airspace, including with commercial rotorcraft; and (5) identify the differences between coordinating with Federal air traffic control towers and towers operated under the FAA Contract Tower Program. (c) Briefing to Congress.—The Administrator shall provide an annual briefing to the appropriate committees of Congress on the status of the partnership authorized under this section, including detailing any barriers to the commercialization of innovative technologies in the Gulf of Mexico. (d) Definitions.—In this section: (1) Eligible airport authority.—The term “eligible airport authority” means an AIP-eligible airport authority that is— (A) located in a state bordering the Gulf of Mexico which does not already contain a UAS Test Range; (B) has an air traffic control tower operated under the FAA Contract Tower Program; (C) is located within 60 miles of a port; and (D) does not have any scheduled passenger airline service as of the date of the enactment of this Act. (2) Innovative technologies.—The term “innovative technologies” means unmanned aircraft systems and powered-lift aircraft. (3) UAS.—The term “UAS” means an unmanned aircraft system.