Associations representing the drone industry hailed a new federal initiative to require registration of the devices, although at least one complained about the $5 fee that drone owners will be charged.

Federal law requires drone owners to register their drones with the government starting Dec. 21. Owners will be charged a $5 registration fee, although that money will be refunded if they register before Jan. 20, 2016.

The Consumer Technology Association was one of the groups that participated in a Federal Aviation Administration task force to design new drone rules. In a statement Monday, the group said it agreed with many of the task force's suggestions, given they will provide the framework for a single set of rules instead of a patchwork of state and local government laws.

"As our nation develops a policy framework that upholds safety, protects innovation, and advances entrepreneurialism and economic growth in this amazing new market, the myriad of misaligned and conflicting local rules now emerging across the country threatens to throttle this nascent technology," the group said.

However, CTA blasted the $5 "drone tax" accompanying registration, saying the fee will discourage participation among drone owners.

The Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International didn't weigh in on registration fee in a statement. CEO Brian Wynne said FAA must continue its work to integrate drones into the national airspace, "starting by finalizing the small (unmanned aerial systems) rule. Putting the rule in place will provide the necessary tools and training to create a culture of safety that will help deter careless and reckless behavior."

FAA has set up a website for drone registration: www.faa.gov/uas/registration

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