NEDD Act

This bill would let the Department of Energy buy, fly, and spend federal money on certain foreign‑made drones, even though there are current bans on those actions. It carves out exceptions so the Department can use these drones when needed. It also lets the Secretary of Energy decide how to use classified tracking tools and gives the Department an accounting exception related to that work.

The bill also expands the Department’s power to protect nuclear sites and assets from drones. This includes places owned or contracted by the U.S. that store, move, or use special nuclear material, and sites that handle parts for nuclear weapons (non‑nuclear components).

• Who is affected: Department of Energy and nuclear facilities handling special nuclear material or parts for nuclear weapons.
• What changes: Allows exceptions to bans on buying, operating, and funding certain foreign‑made drones; gives the Secretary authority over classified tracking and an accounting exception; broadens protection powers against drone threats at key nuclear sites.