Sponsors (11)
The bill improves public safety by letting trained, federally overseen local authorities detect and interdict dangerous drones using vetted equipment, but it raises significant privacy and civil‑liberty risks and imposes costs on state and local governments.
Attendees at large public gatherings and critical sites — local law enforcement can monitor and interdict unsafe or unauthorized UAS, reducing immediate safety risks to people and sensitive locations.
Local and state law-enforcement agencies — deputization requires federal oversight and training before and during operations, improving proper use, oversight, and accountability of counter‑UAS activities.
Transportation workers, local governments, and nearby communities — counter‑UAS equipment is limited to an approved list coordinated with the FCC and NTIA, reducing risk of harmful RF interference and promoting interoperable, vetted technologies.
Civilians at protected events and attendees — deputized officers using detection and monitoring technologies could increase surveillance and tracking, raising privacy concerns.
Local and state governments and residents — expansion of law enforcement authorities to use counter‑UAS tools raises risks of misuse or mission creep beyond intended flight‑restriction zones.
State and local governments — implementing the deputization, training, and approved equipment requirements could impose procurement and operational costs on agencies that cooperate with federal efforts.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Allows DHS or the Attorney General to deputize state/local officers to use existing counter‑UAS authority at certain restricted-flight sites and public gatherings, with required training and an approved equipment list.
Introduced May 6, 2025 by W. Greg Steube · Last progress May 6, 2025
Allows the Department of Homeland Security or the Attorney General to deputize state and local law enforcement officers to use existing counter-drone (UAS) authorities to protect certain restricted-flight sites and designated public gatherings. Deputized officers must complete agency-specified training before using the authority, their actions are overseen by federal agencies, and only equipment on a federally maintained authorized-equipment list may be used for detection, identification, monitoring, and tracking.