In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. “Unmanned aircraft” means the flying portion of an unmanned aircraft system, flown by a pilot via a ground control system, or autonomously through use of an onboard computer, a communication link, and any additional equipment that is necessary for the unmanned aircraft to operate safely. “Unmanned aircraft system” means an unmanned aircraft and all the associated support equipment, control stations, data links, telemetry, communications and navigation equipment, and other equipment necessary to operate the unmanned aircraft. Only the State may enact a law or take any other action to prohibit, restrict, or regulate the testing or operation of unmanned aircraft systems in the State. Subsection (b) of this section: preempts the authority of a county or municipality to prohibit, restrict, or regulate the testing or operation of unmanned aircraft systems; and supersedes any existing law or ordinance of a county or municipality that prohibits, restricts, or regulates the testing or operation of unmanned aircraft systems. This section does not affect federal preemption of State law.

The Department and the Department of Transportation, including the Maryland Aviation Administration, shall: monitor the Federal Aviation Administration for any proposed regulations or rulemaking that relate to the regulation of the operation of small commercial unmanned aircraft systems; determine the impact of any proposed regulations or rulemaking on the State; and determine whether it is in the public interest for the State to consider statewide legislation relating to the regulation of the operation of unmanned aircraft systems. In determining the findings under subsection (a) of this section, the Department and the Department of Transportation, including the Maryland Aviation Administration, shall consult with: the University of Maryland, in its role as a member of the Mid–Atlantic Aviation Partnership; county and municipal governments; and other interested parties that the Department or the Department of Transportation, including the Maryland Aviation Administration, determine appropriate. If the Department and the Department of Transportation, including the Maryland Aviation Administration, determine that any proposed regulations or rulemaking that relate to the regulation of the operation of small commercial unmanned aircraft have been or are likely to be adopted by the Federal Aviation Administration, as soon as practicably possible, the Department and the Department of Transportation, including the Maryland Aviation Administration, shall report any findings and recommendations to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly.