West Virginia Code Chapter 5B. Economic Development Act of 1985 § 5B-2-18a. Applicability of federal laws and Federal Aviation Administration regulations; permissible use of uncrewed aircraft

(a) Notwithstanding any provision of this article to the contrary, any person or entity operating an uncrewed aircraft system may do so in compliance with applicable federal law and applicable regulations of the Federal Aviation Administration.

(b) Except as authorized by law, a political subdivision of the state shall not enact or adopt an ordinance, policy, or rule that relates to the ownership or operation of an advanced air mobility aircraft or advanced air mobility system, and shall not otherwise engage in the regulation of any uncrewed aircraft system, advanced air mobility aircraft, or advanced air mobility system. Any ordinance, policy, or rule, to the extent that it violates any provision of this subsection, whether enacted or adopted by the political subdivision before or after the effective date of this section, is void.

(c) As used in this section, “advanced air mobility aircraft” or “advanced air mobility system” means a system that transports people and property by air between points in the United States using aircraft, as defined in § 29-2A-1 of this code, including electric aircraft and electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, in both controlled and uncontrolled airspace.