Seaport Security Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Patronis, Jimmy [R-FL-1]
Introduced
Summary
Restrict drones over seaports to protect cargo and passengers. This bill would ban unmanned aircraft in designated seaport airspace and lay out who may fly, how authorities may respond, and penalties for violations.
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- Ports handling at least 1 million tons of cargo or routinely processing multi-day cruise passengers would get protected airspace from the surface up to 1,000 feet.
- The ban would bar most drone flights in that airspace but allows federal agencies, state or local law enforcement with notice, seaport operators or contractors with notice, FAA waivers, and emergency operations. The FAA would have 180 days to write rules and designate covered airspace.
- The FAA and seaports could detect, mitigate, seize, and disable unauthorized drones. Civil penalties could be up to $25,000 per violation and criminal penalties include fines and prison up to 10 years for intentional surveillance, damage, disruption, or aiding criminal or terrorist activity.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Drone Penalties and Enforcement Powers
If enacted, the bill would let the FAA and seaports detect, disable, seize, or otherwise mitigate drones operating in covered airspace, except for allowed flights. It would allow civil fines up to $25,000 for each violation and permit seizure or forfeiture of the drone involved. The bill would also make willful violations a crime punishable by up to 2 years in prison, or up to 10 years if done to surveil, damage, disrupt, or enable criminal or terrorist activity.
Ban on Drones Over Seaports
If enacted, the bill would prohibit anyone from operating an unmanned aircraft in covered seaport airspace. It would also ban drone actions that interfere with port security, operations, communications, or navigation at any altitude. Covered airspace would mean the air above a seaport up to 1,000 feet and any extra airspace the FAA designates.
Definitions for Seaport Drone Rules
If enacted, the bill would define key terms used for seaport drone rules. "Administrator" would mean the FAA Administrator. "Covered airspace" would include the air above a seaport from the surface up to 1,000 feet and any additional space the FAA designates. "Seaport" would mean docks and related structures that handle at least one million tons a year or routinely start multi-day cruises. The bill would also add "unmanned aircraft" and "unmanned aircraft system" to a federal statute's list of defined terms.
Allowed Drone Flights at Seaports
If enacted, the bill would allow certain drone flights in seaport airspace. Federal agencies like DHS and DoD could operate under their statutory authority. State or local law enforcement could operate after notifying the FAA and the Coast Guard. Seaports and their contractors could operate for safety or operational needs with notice. The FAA could also grant waivers and emergency flights would be allowed with prompt notice to the FAA and Coast Guard.
FAA 180-Day Rule Deadline
If enacted, the bill would require the FAA Administrator to issue implementing regulations within 180 days of enactment. The rules must designate covered seaport airspaces and set notification procedures for the FAA and Coast Guard.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Patronis, Jimmy [R-FL-1]
FL • R
Cosponsors
Rep. Haridopolos, Mike [R-FL-8]
FL • R
Sponsored 6/9/2026
Rep. Ezell, Mike [R-MS-4]
MS • R
Sponsored 6/23/2026
Rep. Bergman, Jack [R-MI-1]
MI • R
Sponsored 7/22/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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