Sponsors (11)
The bill empowers local law enforcement—under federal training and equipment safeguards—to detect and interdict unsafe drones at public events, improving near‑term safety and reducing RF risks, but it increases surveillance and enforcement powers and creates costs and risks of misuse for state and local authorities.
Attendees at large public gatherings and occupants of critical sites: local law enforcement can detect, monitor, and interdict unsafe or unauthorized small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) at events, reducing immediate risks to people and sensitive locations.
Local law enforcement and local governments: deputization is tied to federal oversight and required training before and during operations, which should improve proper use, consistency, and accountability of counter‑UAS activities.
Transportation workers, local governments, and communications infrastructure: counter‑UAS equipment is limited to an approved list coordinated with the FCC and NTIA, reducing risks of harmful radio‑frequency interference and promoting interoperable, approved technologies.
Civilians at protected events and urban communities: deputized officers' use of detection and monitoring technologies could increase surveillance and tracking of attendees, creating privacy and civil‑liberties concerns.
Local governments and the public: expanding law‑enforcement authority to deploy counter‑UAS tools raises the risk of misuse or mission creep—operations could extend beyond intended flight‑restriction zones or original purposes.
State and local governments (and ultimately taxpayers): meeting training, oversight, and approved equipment requirements may impose procurement and administrative costs on agencies that cooperate with federal deputization.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Permits DHS or the Attorney General to deputize state/local law enforcement to use existing counter‑UAS authority for certain flight‑restricted sites and large gatherings, with training and equipment limits.
Introduced May 6, 2025 by W. Greg Steube · Last progress May 6, 2025
Authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security or the Attorney General to deputize state or local law enforcement officers to use existing counter‑UAS authorities to protect specific flight‑restricted sites and large public gatherings. Deputized officers must complete federal training before use, their operations are subject to DHS/DOJ oversight with DOT/FAA involvement, and detection/monitoring equipment is limited to a federally maintained authorized list produced with DOJ, FAA, FCC, and NTIA input.