Sponsors (7)
This bill strengthens authorities, resources, and standardized procedures to detect and counter dangerous drones—improving aviation and event security—but it expands government surveillance and enforcement powers, raises costs, and creates risks of interference, reduced public input, and privacy impacts that must be balanced with safeguards.
Air travelers, airport workers, and the flying public will face fewer UAS-caused disruptions and improved aviation safety because the bill requires deployment/testing/standards for counter‑UAS detection and coordinated mitigation at covered airports and events.
State, local, and federal responders will have clearer authorities, approved tools, interagency R&D, and standardized training/certification so they can detect, seize, or safely counter threatening drones more effectively.
The bill establishes an FAA Office of Counter‑UAS, requires reporting, joint audits, and public unclassified summaries, improving oversight, program evaluation, and accountability of counter‑UAS activities.
Millions of Americans (bystanders, communities, and UAS operators) face increased privacy and civil‑liberties risks because expanded detection, interception, and data‑sharing authorities enable broader surveillance and potential collection of communications.
Passengers, pilots, and the public risk disruption, property damage, or physical harm if electronic mitigation or interception actions interfere with aircraft, communications, or civilian infrastructure.
Taxpayers, airports, utilities, and small entities may incur substantial costs for acquiring, operating, certifying, or retrofitting counter‑UAS systems and meeting training/compliance requirements.
Based on analysis of 20 sections of legislative text.
Expands federal counter‑UAS authority (detect, seize, disable, intercept communications), requires FAA safety statements for drones, creates approval/pilot programs for counter‑UAS use, and mandates airport planning and reporting.
Introduced August 29, 2025 by Andrew R. Garbarino · Last progress August 29, 2025
Requires drone (small UAS) makers to deliver an FAA safety statement to first-time operators and to get electronic acknowledgment. Expands federal authority to detect, seize, take control of, disrupt, or destroy unmanned aircraft that pose credible threats, and lets the FAA test and use counter‑UAS tools (including intercepting control communications) while imposing certain privacy and retention limits. Establishes approved lists, application and pilot programs for private sites/events and law enforcement to acquire and operate approved counter‑UAS systems, directs FAA/DHS/DOJ coordination and airport planning for deployment, creates a new prohibition and higher penalties for reckless counter‑UAS operations that interfere with aviation, and requires annual public reporting of counter‑UAS activities.