Deescalation Drone Pilot Program Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Representative Nehls
In Committee
Summary
Would create a pilot program testing nonlethal deescalation drones for active shooter response. It directs the FAA to review and validate nonlethal unmanned aircraft systems, set training and safety protocols, evaluate indoor effectiveness, and begin rulemaking after the pilot.
Show full summary
- Federal, state, local, and Tribal law enforcement could participate in tests of drones that carry nonlethal tools and sensors for active shooter incidents. The program would set training, operational, and safety protocols for operators and supervising agencies.
- Communities could see responses that increase the safe engagement distance between officers and shooters, aiming to reduce immediate risk to officers and bystanders during active shooter events.
- Only unmanned aircraft manufactured in the United States would be eligible for use in the pilot, creating testing and validation opportunities for domestic manufacturers and demonstrations under later rulemaking.
- The FAA would run the pilot with designated UAS test ranges and may work with the Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security, solicit stakeholder input, and report results to inform a process for approving operations and manufacturer testing.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Keeps ban on weaponized drones
If enacted, the bill would reaffirm the current federal ban on arming drones with dangerous weapons. This ban would stay in place while the FAA tests nonlethal de‑escalation drones.
Pilot and approvals for nonlethal police drones
If enacted, the FAA would start a pilot within 2 months. It would test nonlethal drones for Federal, State, local, and Tribal police during active shooter events. The pilot would review weapon validation, training, and safety rules, and get input from stakeholders. It would measure how well drones work indoors and whether they increase safe distance. The FAA would work with test ranges, DOJ, DHS, and big-city and rural police. Drones used in the pilot must be made in the United States. The FAA would report to the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee within 3 months after the pilot ends. Within 60 days after that report, the FAA would begin rulemaking to set an approval path for police use and for manufacturers to test and demonstrate these drones.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Nehls
TX • R
Cosponsors
Davis (NC)
NC • D
Sponsored 5/23/2025
Rep. Finstad, Brad [R-MN-1]
MN • R
Sponsored 5/23/2025
Rep. Higgins, Clay [R-LA-3]
LA • R
Sponsored 5/23/2025
Rep. Boebert, Lauren [R-CO-4]
CO • R
Sponsored 5/23/2025
Stauber
MN • R
Sponsored 5/23/2025
Rep. Moore, Barry [R-AL-1]
AL • R
Sponsored 5/23/2025
Rep. Newhouse, Dan [R-WA-4]
WA • R
Sponsored 5/23/2025
Rep. Zinke, Ryan K. [R-MT-1]
MT • R
Sponsored 5/23/2025
Wied
WI • R
Sponsored 5/23/2025
Maloy
UT • R
Sponsored 5/23/2025
Rep. Ezell, Mike [R-MS-4]
MS • R
Sponsored 5/29/2025
Hunt
TX • R
Sponsored 6/3/2025
Rutherford
FL • R
Sponsored 6/3/2025
Rep. Burchett, Tim [R-TN-2]
TN • R
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Guest, Michael [R-MS-3]
MS • R
Sponsored 6/12/2025
Van Duyne
TX • R
Sponsored 7/2/2025
Rep. Gill, Brandon [R-TX-26]
TX • R
Sponsored 9/3/2025
Rep. Schweikert, David [R-AZ-1]
AZ • R
Sponsored 9/4/2025
Rep. Grothman, Glenn [R-WI-6]
WI • R
Sponsored 9/8/2025
Rep. Correa, J. Luis [D-CA-46]
CA • D
Sponsored 9/8/2025
Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7]
VA • D
Sponsored 10/3/2025
Rep. Miller, Max L. [R-OH-7]
OH • R
Sponsored 12/17/2025
Rep. Van Orden, Derrick [R-WI-3]
WI • R
Sponsored 12/19/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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