Critical Infrastructure Airspace Defense Act
Sponsored By: Senator Cotton, Tom [R-AR]
Introduced
Summary
Authorizes private owners of high-risk energy and nuclear sites to detect, track, and mitigate drone threats. It pairs that authority with required national training and certification, FAA coordination, liability protections, and a grant program to fund approved counter‑UAS systems.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Grants for counter-drone systems
This bill would create a DHS grant program, coordinated with the Energy Department, to help covered critical infrastructure owners and operators buy, install, and run approved counter-unmanned aircraft systems. Grants would be available only to sites designated as covered critical infrastructure. The bill would authorize $250 million for fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to fund the program.
Private counter-drone authority for owners
This bill would let owners or operators of designated covered critical infrastructure sites, and their trained security staff or contractors, take certain actions to stop a drone posing a credible threat. Personnel would need national training and certification before they could act. Actions would be limited to approved counter-UAS technologies on a joint authorized list and would require real-time coordination with the FAA. Seized unmanned aircraft would be subject to forfeiture under the laws where the seizure occurred. People acting under the authority would get federal liability protection except for gross negligence or willful misconduct. The Department of Homeland Security would issue the required rules and the national certification program within 180 days, and report to Congress starting within 1 year and then every two years.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Cotton, Tom [R-AR]
AR • R
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov