Oklahoma § 3-421 - See the following versions:

§ 3-421. See the following versions:

OS 3-421v1 (HB 3672, Laws 2024, c. 18, 15)

OS 3-421v2 (SB 920, Laws 2025, c. 237, § 3)

§3-421v1. Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics established as

clearinghouse for unmanned aircraft systems.

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 3. Aircraft and Airports

A. The Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics is

hereby established as the clearinghouse for unmanned aircraft

systems (UAS) and advanced air mobility (AAM) in this state and

shall be designated as the agency of this state for the promotion,

enhancement and development of UAS and AAM as well as any associated

infrastructure necessary to ensure the safe integration and use of

this new technology within the state. The purpose of this

clearinghouse is to create a partnership between those entities that

currently operate UAS, those that desire to use this technology in

the future and other entities that can support the research and

development of UAS to ensure that this state can more effectively

respond to the needs of this critical sector of the aviation and

aerospace industry. In the operation of this clearinghouse, the

Department shall cooperate, assist and coordinate with the federal

government, agencies of this state, tribal entities, municipalities

and other persons in the development of unmanned aircraft systems

throughout the state to ensure the acceptance of this technology and

the successful integration of UAS into the National Airspace System.

Contingent upon the availability of funds, the Oklahoma Department

of Aerospace and Aeronautics may use established program processes

or may contract with other qualified entities to carry out the

duties and responsibilities of the Unmanned Aircraft Systems

Development Act of 2021.

B. The primary goal of the clearinghouse within the Department

is to establish a central point within state government to develop

the strategy for how this state can become a leader in the UAS and

AAM industry. It will focus the collective resources, knowledge,

information and assets within state government to ensure coordinated

efforts amongst all parties. The clearinghouse will:

1. Conduct research on what other states and localities are

doing insofar as their UAS rules and regulations so that it can

provide recommendations to ensure this state is in the best position

within the industry;

2. Organize and coordinate the application for any UAS and AAM

test site, integration opportunity, pilot program or grant funding

on behalf of this state;

3. Maintain a registry of UAS being operated by state agencies,

except those UAS that are part of a university-affiliated research

program;

4. Maintain a registry of educational institutions that offer

training programs for users of UAS; and

5. Investigate the development of and, if necessary, create a

statewide system plan that will provide the framework for the

construction, development, siting, and potential partnerships

required for vertiports and other infrastructure needed to integrate

AAM and UAS into the existing air transportation system of the

state.

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 3. Aircraft and Airports

C. The Department is authorized to enter into partnerships with

any city or town of this state and any county or political

subdivision or district of this state, or any public trust thereof,

for the purpose of investing in and operating infrastructure and any

other items necessary to safely and effectively integrate AAM and

UAS into the existing air transportation system of the state as well

as the testing and development of these new aeronautical

technologies.

Added by Laws 2021, c. 419, § 2, eff. Nov. 1, 2021. Amended by Laws

2023, c. 126, § 18, eff. Nov. 1, 2023; Laws 2023, c. 365, § 15, eff.

Nov. 1, 2023; Laws 2024, c. 18, § 15, eff. Nov. 1, 2024.

NOTE: Editorially renumbered from § 401 of this title to avoid a

duplication in numbering.

§3-421v2. Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics established as

clearinghouse for unmanned aircraft systems.

A. The Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics is

hereby established as the clearinghouse for unmanned aircraft

systems (UAS) and advanced air mobility (AAM) in this state and

shall be designated as the agency of this state for the promotion,

enhancement, and development of UAS and AAM as well as any

associated infrastructure necessary to ensure the safe integration

and use of this new technology within the state. The purpose of

this clearinghouse is to create a partnership between those entities

that currently operate UAS, those that desire to use this technology

in the future and other entities that can support the research and

development of UAS to ensure that this state can more effectively

respond to the needs of this critical sector of the aviation and

aerospace industry. In the operation of this clearinghouse, the

Department shall cooperate, assist and coordinate with the federal

government, agencies of this state, tribal entities, municipalities,

and other persons in the development of unmanned aircraft systems

throughout the state to ensure the acceptance of this technology and

the successful integration of UAS into the National Airspace System.

Contingent upon the availability of funds, the Oklahoma Department

of Aerospace and Aeronautics may use established program processes

or may contract with other qualified entities to carry out the

duties and responsibilities of the Unmanned Aircraft Systems

Development Act of 2021.

B. The primary goal of the clearinghouse within the Department

is to establish a central point within state government to develop

and implement the strategy for how this state can become a leader in

the UAS and AAM industry. It will focus the collective resources,

knowledge, information, and assets within state government to ensure

coordinated efforts amongst all parties. The clearinghouse will

have the authority to:

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 3. Aircraft and Airports

1. Conduct research on what other states and localities are

doing insofar as their UAS rules and regulations so that it can

provide recommendations to ensure this state is in the best position

within the industry;

2. Organize and coordinate the application for any UAS and AAM

test site, integration opportunity, pilot program or grant funding

on behalf of this state;

3. Maintain a registry of UAS being operated by state agencies,

except those UAS that are part of a university-affiliated research

program;

4. Maintain a registry of educational institutions that offer

training programs for users of UAS;

5. Investigate the development of, and if necessary, create a

statewide system plan that will provide the framework for the

construction, development, siting, and potential partnerships

required for vertiports and other infrastructure needed to integrate

AAM and UAS into the existing air transportation system of the

state;

6. Develop a statewide network of UAS and AAM detection systems

as necessary to support the safe integration of these technologies

into the state’s existing air transportation system; and

7. Create statewide or regional command, control, and radar

systems or centers to carry out the provisions of paragraph 6 of

this subsection and the Department’s efforts to bring UAS and AAM

testing and development to the state. These systems or centers can

be stand-alone or in partnership with other federal, state, local,

tribal, or non-profit entities.

C. The Department is authorized to enter into partnerships with

any city or town of this state and any county or political

subdivision or district in this state, or any public trust thereof,

or any federal government entity for the purpose of investing in and

operating infrastructure and any other items necessary to safely and

effectively integrate AAM and UAS into the existing air

transportation system of this state as well as the testing and

development of these aeronautical technologies.

Added by Laws 2021, c. 419, § 2, eff. Nov. 1, 2021. Amended by Laws

2023, c. 126, § 18, eff. Nov. 1, 2023; Laws 2023, c. 365, § 15, eff.

Nov. 1, 2023; Laws 2024, c. 135, § 15, eff. Nov. 1, 2024; Laws 2025,

c. 237, § 3, eff. Nov. 1, 2025.

NOTE: Editorially renumbered from § 401 of this title to avoid a

duplication in numbering.