# 119-s-3481: SAFER SKIES Act

119-s-3481, SAFER SKIES Act, is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Sen. Peters, Gary C. [D-MI] (D-MI); status introduced; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-04-21).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-3481
- As of: 2026-04-21
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-s-3481
- Congress: 119
- Title: SAFER SKIES Act
- Status: introduced
- Introduced: 2025-12-15
- Sponsor: Sen. Peters, Gary C. [D-MI] (D-MI)
- Cosponsors: 3
- Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
- Touches household money: yes
- Last recorded action: 2026-04-21

## Summary

**Expands federal and state counter‑UAS authority** to let agencies detect, stop, and seize dangerous drones. It would pair new powers with certified training, an interagency tech list, grants for public‑safety drone programs, and tougher penalties. - Families and the public would gain added protection at large venues, critical infrastructure, and correctional facilities because State, local, Tribal, and territorial law enforcement and correctional agencies would be authorized to mitigate credible UAS threats after national training and certification. Training procedures would be developed within 180 days and a single national schoolhouse would certify agencies. - State and local agencies would be eligible for grants to buy and operate unmanned aircraft systems and approved counter‑UAS equipment for public safety, tied to a jointly maintained interagency list of authorized technologies. - Enforcement and oversight would be stronger. The bill would increase criminal penalties, including up to 5 years for repeat offenses, order sentencing guideline increases, authorize civil fines up to $100,000 for unauthorized counter‑UAS actions, and require regular reports, audits, and sunsets for the authorities in 2031.

## Cosponsors (3)

- Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA] (R-IA), 2025-12-15T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Johnson, Ron [R-WI] (R-WI), 2025-12-15T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV] (D-NV), 2025-12-15T00:00:00.000Z

## Provisions PRIA read

- New counter‑drone powers and rules: benefit, medium. If enacted, the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Attorney General would get broader authority to stop dangerous drones. State, local, Tribal, and territorial agencies would only get similar powers after training and certification from a national schoolhouse to be set within 180 days. Agencies…
- Grants and reimbursement for drone tools: benefit, low. If enacted, certain public‑safety grants would be allowed to buy and operate drones and approved counter‑drone systems on the authorized list. DHS and DOJ would also have to give Congress a plan within 180 days for reimbursing Federal agencies that protect events run by non‑Federal organizers. The…
- Higher criminal punishments for drone crimes: cost, medium. If enacted, federal penalties for unlawful drone uses would rise. A second or later national defense airspace conviction could carry up to 5 years in prison. Using a drone to give contraband to an inmate would add 5 years. If a drone is used to help commit a felony, the maximum prison term would be…
- Fines, forfeiture, and civil enforcement rules: mixed, medium. If enacted, authorized counter‑drone actors who act without required Federal coordination could face civil fines up to $100,000 per violation and temporary suspension of authority. The Attorney General would be able to sue in federal court to collect those fines, starting 30 days after enactment. D…

## Related bills

- 119-sres-913: A resolution relating to the death of the Honorable Nancy Kassebaum, former United States Senator for the State of Kansas.
- 119-sres-897: A resolution honoring the life, service, and legacy of the Honorable Jon Llewellyn Kyl, former Senator for the State of Arizona.
- 119-sres-801: A resolution honoring the life and legacy of the Honorable Lindsey Olin Graham, a Senator from the State of South Carolina.
- 119-sres-755: A resolution honoring the life of the Honorable Donald W. Riegle, Jr., former Senator for the State of Michigan.
- 119-sres-739: A resolution honoring the life and legacy of John Seymour, the late Senator for the State of California.
- 119-sres-735: A resolution designating the week of May 10 through May 16, 2026, as "National Police Week".

## Sources
- [119-s-3481 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/3481)

## Related
- [119-sres-913: A resolution relating to the death of the Honorable Nancy Kassebaum, former Uni…](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-sres-913)
- [119-sres-897: A resolution honoring the life, service, and legacy of the Honorable Jon Llewel…](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-sres-897)
- [119-sres-801: A resolution honoring the life and legacy of the Honorable Lindsey Olin Graham,…](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-sres-801)
- [119-sres-755: A resolution honoring the life of the Honorable Donald W. Riegle, Jr., former S…](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-sres-755)
- [119-sres-739: A resolution honoring the life and legacy of John Seymour, the late Senator for…](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-sres-739)
- [119-sres-735: A resolution designating the week of May 10 through May 16, 2026, as "National…](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-sres-735)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-3481 (as of 2026-04-21).