Unmanned Aircraft Systems.  Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), also known as drones, are aircraft without a human pilot on board.  The flight is controlled either autonomously by computers, or under remote control by a pilot.  Washington has no laws that specifically regulate drones.
 
Federal Aircraft Registration.  The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has broad authority to regulate the use of airspace.  Aircraft must be registered with the FAA.  The registration fee for UAS is $5 for three years.  Since 2015, the FAA has finalized several rules governing operation and certification of small civil UAS under 55 pounds.  In 2020, more than 14,000 non-hobbyist small UAS with a Washington address were registered with the FAA.
 
Aircraft Registration in Washington.  Aircraft must be registered with the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) in January of each calendar year in which the aircraft is operated or based within Washington.

UAS are not required to register in Washington.  The state registration fee is $15 and is deposited into the Aeronautics Account.  The Aeronautics Account supports the WSDOT Aviation Division's airport preservation and improvement programs, education outreach, and air search and rescue operations.
 
Aviation Division.  The Aviation Division (division) within WSDOT is responsible for registering aircraft, aviation planning, and administering small airport financial assistance programs.  The division also coordinates UAS activities within WSDOT.

Unpiloted Aircraft System Coordinator.  The Unpiloted Aircraft System State Coordinator (coordinator) is established in the division of WSDOT to serve primarily in an advisory role.  The director of the division or the director's designee is appointed as the coordinator.  The coordinator's duties include:

• assisting with UAS training and continuing education for state agencies;
• coordinating with local governments on state and federal UAS policies and laws;
• acting as a state-level coordinator in times of emergency;
• coordinating with the FAA and state agencies on UAS trends;
• identifying and disseminating information on unpiloted aircraft system training sites;
• establishing and maintaining an unpiloted aircraft system coordination website for state and local governments;
• assisting with the advancement of UAS across the state in coordination with the Department of Commerce (Commerce); and
• other duties as they relate to UAS in the state.

An unpiloted aircraft system is defined in statute and must meet the same criteria and standards for a UAS established by the FAA.
 
Registration of Commercial Drones.  Commercial unpiloted aircraft systems must be registered with WSDOT and pay a $15 annual fee.  Unpiloted aircraft systems used exclusively for hobby or recreation are exempt from the registration fee.  "Commercial" is defined as an aircraft, piloted or unpiloted, not used exclusively for hobby or recreation.
 
Fee Schedule Review.  WSDOT, in collaboration with Commerce, the Department of Revenue, and other industry representatives, must review the fee schedule based on the number of drones registered under any single entity.  Consideration should be given to the cost to administer the program and the number of commercial aircraft registered in the state.  WSDOT must make recommendations and report to the transportation committees of the Legislature by December 1, 2022.