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119-hr-390119th Congress

ACERO Act

Sponsored By: Representative Fong, Vince [R-CA-20]

Passed House

Summary

Advance aerial wildfire response capabilities. This bill would direct NASA to lead research and development improving aircraft technologies, airspace management, real-time data sharing, and an interoperable platform to coordinate aerial assets during wildfires.

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  • Communities and households: Nearby communities could see more coordinated aerial firefighting and better situational awareness during fires.
  • Firefighters and aerial operators: Crews would gain improved tools and shared data to manage, deconflict, and coordinate aircraft in fast-moving incidents.
  • Federal, State, and local agencies: Agencies would adopt a multi-agency concept of operations to align aerial activities and reduce duplication across jurisdictions.
  • NASA, researchers, and industry partners: NASA would coordinate with other agencies, academia, and commercial partners and must report annually on activities and results through 2030.
  • Manufacturers and procurement: The bill bars buying unmanned aircraft systems from certain covered foreign entities but allows case-by-case national interest waivers with congressional notice within 30 days.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

NASA wildfire air research and drone rules

If enacted, NASA would run research to improve how planes and drones fight wildfires. It would test better aircraft and airspace tools, build real-time data sharing, and create a shared map of aerial assets, with a common playbook across agencies. NASA would work with federal, state, and local partners, plus companies and universities, and would consult other agencies to avoid duplicate work. NASA would not be allowed to buy drones made or assembled by a covered foreign entity, unless a case-by-case waiver is in the national interest and only to improve wildfire response; if waived, NASA would notify the House Science and Senate Commerce committees within 30 days. NASA would file yearly reports through December 31, 2030. These changes would take effect upon enactment.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Fong, Vince [R-CA-20]

CA • R

Cosponsors

  • Rep. McClellan, Jennifer L. [D-VA-4]

    VA • D

    Sponsored 1/14/2025

  • Rep. Whitesides, George [D-CA-27]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 1/21/2025

  • Rep. Obernolte, Jay [R-CA-23]

    CA • R

    Sponsored 1/21/2025

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

    VA • D

    Sponsored 6/25/2025

  • Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 7/22/2025

  • Rep. Harder, Josh [D-CA-9]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 10/6/2025

  • Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2]

    CO • D

    Sponsored 1/9/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
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