Bill · H.R. 3478· House(119-HR-3478)
Manned Aircraft Clarification Act
- Introduced
- 5/17/2025
- Last activity
- 5/18/2025 — Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.
- Sponsored by
- John McGuire
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, titled the "Manned Aircraft Clarification Act," proposes amendments to title 18 and title 49 of the United States Code. The primary goal is to limit specific criminal penalties regarding the destruction of aircraft to only apply to manned aircraft. It seeks to modify the section headings and text within section 32 of title 18 to include the word "manned." Additionally, it amends section 46502(a)(1)(A) of title 49 to replace the term "an aircraft" with "a manned aircraft."
Yes
No question was scored yes.
The opposite
Does this shorten or soften prison sentences?-3
The bill reduces the scope of criminal penalties for aircraft destruction, which may lead to lighter sentencing for crimes against unmanned aircraft.
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?-2
Limiting penalties for aircraft destruction may reduce the deterrent effect of protecting unmanned aircraft which could include drones used in environmental monitoring.
Does this give the federal government more power?-2
The bill limits the scope of federal criminal statutes regarding aircraft destruction.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Clarification of Penalties: By amending section 32 of title 18, the bill limits the scope of destruction penalties to "manned aircraft" rather than all aircraft (Section 2(a)).
-
Adjustment to Aircraft Piracy Laws: The bill changes the language in title 49 from "an aircraft" to "a manned aircraft," which clarifies which types of aircraft are subject to those specific piracy provisions (Section 2(b)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Reduction in Scope of Protections: Because the bill amends the law to apply penalties only to "manned aircraft," the existing penalties for the destruction of aircraft that are not manned may no longer apply under these specific sections of title 18 and title 49 (Section 2(a) and Section 2(b)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Criminal Sentencing Reform-3
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Environmental Protections-2
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power-2
- 5/18/2025
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.
- 5/17/2025
- Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Introduced in House