Drones for America Act
Sponsored By: Senator Rick Scott
Introduced
Summary
Raises tariffs on China-made drones and ties tariff revenue to a new grant fund for secure unmanned aircraft systems. It pairs stepped-up duties and strict origin checks with grants aimed at first responders, farmers, critical infrastructure, and U.S. component makers.
Show full summary
- Creates new China-origin tariff lines for unmanned aircraft and parts, with duties starting at 30% and rising over four years toward 50%.
- Requires U.S. Customs and Border Protection to certify that drones and parts do not contain specified China-made components like flight controllers, radios, cameras, gimbals, magnets, network hardware, or software. Finished unmanned aircraft face an entry prohibition starting in 2028 and parts face a prohibition starting in 2031.
- Establishes a Secure Unmanned Aircraft Systems Trust Fund funded by those tariff collections and directs the Department of Homeland Security to run a grant program. Grants prioritize first responders with up to 60% of funds and also support farmers, critical infrastructure providers, and U.S. manufacturers of UAS components.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 1 mixed.
Grants and Trust Fund for Secure Drones
If enacted, a Treasury trust fund would collect new drone tariff money starting in fiscal year 2026 and invest unused amounts. The Department of Homeland Security would set up a grant program within one year. Grants would help first responders, farmers and ranchers, and critical infrastructure buy or lease secure drones and run programs. Grants would also support U.S. drone part makers for workforce and capacity building. Each year the fund could allocate up to 60% to first responders, 20% to farmers, 20% to critical infrastructure, and up to 10% to manufacturers. DHS must decide most applications within 90 days, with a 45-day extension allowed, and report to Congress annually.
New import rules and bans for drones
If enacted, U.S. Customs would require import certificates showing listed drone components were not made in China. The listed components include flight controllers, radios, data transmitters, cameras, gimbals, certain magnets, ground control systems, software, network hardware, and data storage. CBP must verify the paperwork. The FAA must give CBP a list of exempt aircraft by January 1, 2026. A ban on entries would take effect January 1, 2028 for aircraft and January 1, 2031 for parts, with limited exemptions for certain FAA-authorized aircraft.
Higher import tariffs on China-made drones
If enacted, imports of drones and drone parts from China would face extra duties starting 30 days after enactment. Year 1: 30% extra. Year 2: 35%. Year 3: 40%. Year 4: 45%. After year 4: $100 per article plus 50% ad valorem. These extra duties would be on top of any existing tariffs or trade duties.
Who counts as covered drone entities
If enacted, the bill would define "covered foreign entity" to include entities on several government China-linked lists and other named groups. "Foreign adversary country" would follow a cited U.S. law definition. A "secure drone" would mean a drone not made or assembled by a covered foreign entity or in a foreign adversary country. These definitions would decide who can import, sell, or get the new grants.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Rick Scott
FL • R
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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