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119-hr-3207119th Congress

DEFENSE Act

Sponsored By: Representative Steube, W. Gregory [R-FL-17]

In Committee

Summary

Allows the Secretary of Homeland Security or the Attorney General to deputize state and local law enforcement to counter unmanned aircraft system threats at events protected by temporary flight restrictions. It would create requirements for training, federal oversight, and a federally approved equipment list to detect, identify, monitor, or track unauthorized drones at large gatherings.

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  • State and local law enforcement: Officers could be deputized to exercise this federal authority for UAS threats. Deputized officers must complete training set by DHS or DOJ in coordination with the Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration.
  • Event organizers and attendees: Large public gatherings and other events covered by temporary flight restrictions would gain an additional local enforcement tool aimed at deterring or responding to drone threats.
  • Federal agencies and technology providers: The Department of Homeland Security must maintain a list of authorized detection and tracking systems. That list is developed with the Department of Justice, the FAA, the Federal Communications Commission, and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Deputize local police to monitor drones

If enacted, the bill would let the Secretary of Homeland Security or the Attorney General deputize State or local law enforcement officers to use federal UAS detection, identification, monitoring, or tracking authority. Deputization would be allowed only to protect (A) sites with flight restrictions under section 521 of division F of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2004 (49 U.S.C. 40103 note); (B) locations of eligible large public gatherings under 49 U.S.C. 44812(c); or (C) public gatherings covered by a temporary flight restriction under 49 U.S.C. 40103(b) at the FAA Administrator's discretion. Officers would have to complete required training set by DHS or the Attorney General in coordination with the Secretary of Transportation and the FAA Administrator before deputation. The Secretary or Attorney General would oversee use of the deputized authority in coordination with the Secretary of Transportation and the FAA Administrator. Only equipment on a DHS-maintained list, coordinated with DOJ, FAA, FCC, and NTIA, would be allowed for UAS detection or tracking.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Steube, W. Gregory [R-FL-17]

FL • R

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1]

    NV • D

    Sponsored 5/6/2025

  • Rep. Yakym, Rudy [R-IN-2]

    IN • R

    Sponsored 5/6/2025

  • Rep. Correa, J. Luis [D-CA-46]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 5/6/2025

  • Rep. Mills, Cory [R-FL-7]

    FL • R

    Sponsored 5/6/2025

  • Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2]

    HI • D

    Sponsored 5/6/2025

  • Rep. Hamadeh, Abraham J. [R-AZ-8]

    AZ • R

    Sponsored 6/25/2025

  • Rep. McCormick, Richard [R-GA-7]

    GA • R

    Sponsored 7/15/2025

  • Rep. Crane, Elijah [R-AZ-2]

    AZ • R

    Sponsored 7/22/2025

  • Rep. Langworthy, Nicholas A. [R-NY-23]

    NY • R

    Sponsored 11/7/2025

  • Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7]

    VA • D

    Sponsored 10/21/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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