This week’s “Around the Commercial Drone Industry” news round-up looks at new drone-focused regulatory action in Florida and Ohio, Malta’s drone-based waste management effort, and the possible expansion of Amazon drone delivery to Kansas City

Regulatory Action in Ohio and Florida

Across the US, states are taking action to regulate the drone activity to keep people and property safe. For example, regulations went into effect in Ohio last month aimed at improving safety, protecting privacy, and putting Ohio laws in line with federal regulations. According to Morning AG Clips, Ohio bill H.B. 77 amends “Ohio’s aircraft safety laws to prohibit operating UAVs in certain ways and also address local government use and regulations for UAVs.” The bill, Morning AG Clips says, puts “new responsibilities on drone operators to use drones responsibly and for legitimate purposes while providing remedies for those whose safety or privacy are endangered by drone operations.”

A similar bill is moving through the legislative system in Florida, Dronelife reports. Florida S.B. 700, which recently passed the state’s legislature and awaits approval by Governor DeSantis, would make “it illegal to operate a drone on agricultural land without the owner’s consent, or to use a drone in a way that disturbs crops or livestock.” The bill would also prohibit “drone use on private property, state wildlife lands, or shooting ranges with the intent to harass.”

Is Amazon Prime Air Heading to Kansas City?

Reporting from the Kansas City Star indicates that “Drone deliveries from Amazon could be on the horizon for Kansas City residents as the retail giant pushes to begin offering a service currently available in only two smaller U.S. cities.” The news outlet states that “Amazon has received permitting approval in the past two weeks from the City Plan Commission and the Board of Zoning Adjustment.” If all goes to plan, the report says, Amazon hopes to build a drone delivery center at its same-day delivery facility in the city.

UAVs for Waste Cleanup in Malta

The Times Malta reports that Clean Malta, the government's public cleansing agency, will use drones and artificial intelligence “to locate and identify waste, mostly in rural areas, so that it can be collected more quickly and efficiently.” For the effort, the Maltese government has invested “€17 million in new equipment for the sector while also improving the working conditions of its employees.” Clean Malta’s system was developed by students at the University of Malta.