LANDED Act
Sponsored By: Representative Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4]
Introduced
Summary
Would authorize State law enforcement to acquire and operate approved counter‑UAS systems and would create a federal‑State framework to detect, deconflict, deter, and mitigate unauthorized or threatening drone operations. The bill would set an application and approval process, require safety and privacy safeguards, and tie deployments to federal oversight and reporting.
Show full summary
- State and local law enforcement: Approved agencies would be able to detect, identify, monitor, track, warn operators, disrupt control, seize, or destroy unmanned aircraft, subject to an application process run by DHS and a case‑by‑case initial deployment window of up to 180 days for verification and safety checks.
- Public safety and airspace managers: The bill would require coordination with the FAA, FCC, and NTIA to limit interference with civilian communications and create a mandatory nonemergency deconfliction reporting system with transponder ID tracking across agencies.
- Grants and oversight bodies: It would create a Counter‑UAS Security Grant Program to fund equipment, training, and admin with at least 24 months to use awards, and direct the Defense Department Inspector General to report on foreign‑adversary UAS activity to Congress within 90 days.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Drone deconfliction and ID reporting
If enacted, DHS, working with the FAA, would set rules to avoid conflicts among Federal, State, and local drone flights. It would create a mandatory non‑emergency reporting system and a database logging a drone’s transponder ID and date and time. Law enforcement could check if a transponder is in use. This would need to start within 180 days after a qualifying counter‑drone system is certified under federal law and would depend on funding.
Grants to buy counter‑drone gear
If enacted, DHS would offer grants to State law enforcement and emergency management agencies to buy approved counter‑drone equipment and pay training fees. Grants could also cover some related admin costs. Money awarded to a recipient would stay available for at least 24 months.
New rules for state counter‑drone teams
If enacted, DHS would let approved State law enforcement use certain counter‑drone tools, subject to funding and FAA safety checks. Each approval would require a written agreement listing the system, when it can be used, safety terms, federal site‑visit checks, and reporting. Authorized staff could detect, track, warn, jam control, take control or seize a drone, and, if needed, disable or destroy it. Until 180 days after the first approved deployment, DHS would have to OK each mitigation case‑by‑case and notify the FAA. After any action, the State would have to report to DHS, the FAA, and the Attorney General within 24 hours, and DHS could revoke approval for safety or privacy failures.
Faster federal help in drone emergencies
If enacted, DHS could move quickly when a State asks for help in a drone emergency. DHS would set a rapid response process and could bypass some normal steps to act faster.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4]
NJ • R
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov