Sponsor
Dale Strong
Representative · R-AL
Representative · R-AL
The bill standardizes FAA‑coordinated counter‑UAS training to improve safety, readiness, and accountability, but does so at added cost and with rules that could delay emergency use and disadvantage smaller, under‑resourced agencies.
Law enforcement and federal counter‑UAS personnel will receive standardized FAA‑coordinated training and certification, improving readiness to detect and mitigate hostile or unsafe drones.
Transportation workers and local governments will face lower aviation safety risks because FAA‑coordinated training reduces the chance of unsafe counter‑UAS actions near civil aircraft.
Law enforcement and federal employees gain clear certification and recurrent training requirements, creating predictable credentials that improve accountability and professionalization.
Law enforcement and local governments may face slower emergency counter‑UAS deployments because interagency coordination and certification rules could delay approvals.
Smaller state and local agencies, particularly under‑resourced or urban communities, may be unable to meet required training/certification, creating disparities in access to counter‑UAS capabilities.
Taxpayers and the federal budget will likely absorb higher costs to develop and run new training programs and facilities, potentially diverting funds from other priorities.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Authorizes federal counter-UAS training centers and requires DHS/DOJ (with FAA) to set standards for initial and recurrent operator training and certification.
Official title: To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to require the Attorney General, in coordination with the Secretary of Homeland Security, to establish counter-UAS system training and require the Attorney General and Secretary of Homeland Security, in coordination with the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to establish related standards for initial and recurrent training programs or certifications for individuals seeking to operate counter-UAS detection and mitigation systems, equipment, or technology, and for other purposes.
Introduced January 23, 2025 by Dale Strong · Last progress January 23, 2025
Creates a federal training and certification framework for counter-unmanned aircraft systems (counter-UAS). It authorizes the Attorney General (working with DHS/FLETC) to provide counter-UAS training and to establish or designate training centers, and requires DHS and DOJ (with the FAA) to set minimum standards for initial and recurrent training or certification of operators of detection and mitigation systems, including safety and interagency coordination considerations.