# 119-s-1249: Drone Integration and Zoning Act 119-s-1249, Drone Integration and Zoning Act, is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Sen. Lee, Mike [R-UT] (R-UT); status introduced; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-09-10). - Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-1249 - As of: 2026-09-10 - Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts. ## Facts - Bill: 119-s-1249 - Congress: 119 - Title: Drone Integration and Zoning Act - Status: introduced - Introduced: 2025-04-02 - Sponsor: Sen. Lee, Mike [R-UT] (R-UT) - Cosponsors: 0 - Policy area: Transportation and Public Works - Touches household money: yes - Last recorded action: 2026-09-10 ## Summary **Integrate civil drones into the national airspace** while protecting State, local, and Tribal control and private property near the ground. The bill would draw a clear line at the airspace within 200 feet, set rules for 200–400 foot operations, and create processes for commercial routes, complex airspace, traffic management, and safety standards. ## Provisions PRIA read - FAA enforcement authority remains intact: benefit, high. If enacted, the bill would not limit the FAA's power to take enforcement action against drone operations that threaten navigable airspace, airports, navigation facilities, or air traffic systems. - New commercial drone routes process: benefit, high. If enacted, the bill would require the FAA and Transportation Secretary to set a process within 18 months to designate authorized commercial drone routes and "complex airspace." The FAA must accept or deny complete route applications within 90 days and explain denials in writing. The FAA could make… - Faster local drone landing permits: benefit, medium. If enacted, the bill would let local and Tribal governments control drone take-off and landing sites but require fast, transparent permitting. They must act on a complete application within 60 days and give written denial reasons within 30 days. Fees may be charged but must be neutral and publicly… - Limits on local ascent and descent bans: benefit, medium. If enacted, the bill would stop States, localities, and Tribes from enacting laws that unreasonably block drones from climbing into or descending from navigable airspace for commercial activity. A total ban on overflights or a mix of rules that make ascent nearly impossible would be prohibited. Thi… - State rules for intrastate drone delivery: benefit, medium. If enacted, the bill would let States authorize small drones to carry property for hire only within a State's borders and within the immediate reaches up to 200 feet. State authorizations must be low-cost and use a streamlined application. The bill would say such operators are not federal "air carr… - Expanded drone traffic planning and data: benefit, medium. If enacted, the bill would expand unmanned traffic management planning and testing. States, localities, and Tribes would join federal and industry planners. The bill would let tests try local time, place, and manner drone limits in the immediate reaches. It would require plans for coordination and… - New low-altitude rules and local control: mixed, high. If enacted, the bill would define the "immediate reaches" as airspace up to 200 feet above ground. It would require the FAA to finish a rule within one year to treat 200–400 feet AGL as FAA-controlled airspace for drones. If enacted, the bill would also make clear that State, local, and Tribal gove… - Stricter test for drone safety standards: mixed, medium. If enacted, the bill would require the FAA to run a cost-benefit analysis before accepting voluntary industry safety standards for small drones. The FAA would have to certify that benefits substantially outweigh costs to manufacturers and consumers. The FAA must also determine the standard is essen… - Limits on drones near tall structures: mixed, low. If enacted, the bill would bar FAA authorization for civil drones within 50 feet of the top of structures taller than 200 feet. It would also bar flights within 200 feet sideways of such structures, or inside the owner's property line if that is closer. Drones could not touch or land on those struc… ## Related bills - 119-s-5653: Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026 - 119-s-4952: Protecting American Taxpayers Act - 119-s-1801: International Nuclear Energy Act of 2025 - 119-s-62: America First Act - 119-s-4280: SAFE Act - 119-s-4082: Government Surveillance Reform Act of 2026 ## Sources - [119-s-1249 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/1249) ## Related - [119-s-5653: Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-5653) - [119-s-4952: Protecting American Taxpayers Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-4952) - [119-s-1801: International Nuclear Energy Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-1801) - [119-s-62: America First Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-62) - [119-s-4280: SAFE Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-4280) - [119-s-4082: Government Surveillance Reform Act of 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-4082) - [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation) Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-1249 (as of 2026-09-10).