Balloon Location and Identification Pronouncement Study Act

Hozzl · 2024-02-05T18:39:12Z

Explore the details of House Bill 4229 Balloon Location and Identification Pronouncement Study Act currently in Congress. Get insights into its purpose, current status, sponsors, and potential impact on Transportation and Public Works. Stay informed on legislative developments.

2/5/2024, 6:39 PM

Summary of Bill HR 4229

Bill 118 hr 4229, also known as the Balloon Location and Identification Pronouncement Study Act, is a piece of legislation currently being considered by the US Congress. The purpose of this bill is to conduct a study on the location and identification of balloons that are released into the atmosphere.

The bill aims to address concerns about the environmental impact of balloons that are released into the air, as well as the potential dangers they pose to wildlife and aircraft. The study would examine the current methods used to track and identify balloons, as well as explore potential new technologies that could improve the tracking and identification process.

If passed, the Balloon Location and Identification Pronouncement Study Act would allocate funding for the study and require the results to be reported to Congress within a specified timeframe. The findings of the study would then be used to inform future legislation and regulations related to the release of balloons. Overall, this bill seeks to promote environmental conservation and safety by better understanding the impact of balloons on the environment and exploring ways to improve the tracking and identification of released balloons.

Congressional Summary of HR 4229

Balloon Location and Identification Pronouncement Study Act or the BLIPS Act

This bill directs the Department of Defense (DOD) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to study the effects on aviation safety of domestically launched unmanned free balloons that do not emit a trackable electronic or radio signal.

DOD and the FAA must submit a report to Congress on the study. The report must include a discussion and recommendations on

the efficacy, feasibility, technical specifications, and potential civil and military impacts of mandating that domestically launched unmanned free balloons be equipped with an electronic or radio emitter that can be tracked with near real-time, geolocational, and altitudinal precision, and which can transmit identifying information of the balloon or its owner; and
how DOD and the FAA can collect the data and integrate it into a real-time or near real-time digital system that supports the operations of DOD and the FAA.

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Current Status of Bill HR 4229

Bill HR 4229 is currently in the status of Bill Introduced since June 20, 2023. Bill HR 4229 was introduced during Congress 118 and was introduced to the House on June 20, 2023. Bill HR 4229's most recent activity was Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation. as of June 21, 2023

Bipartisan Support of Bill HR 4229

Total Number of Sponsors

Democrat Sponsors

Republican Sponsors

Unaffiliated Sponsors

Total Number of Cosponsors

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Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill HR 4229

Primary Policy Focus

Transportation and Public Works

Alternate Title(s) of Bill HR 4229

Balloon Location and Identification Pronouncement Study Act

To direct the Secretary of Defense and the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to conduct a study and submit a report on the effects of unmanned free balloons on aviation safety.