119-hr6042

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 6042 Introduced in House

    (IH) ]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
 1st Session
 H. R. 6042

To create mechanisms by which State law enforcement can coordinate with 
 the Federal Government to detect and stop drones involved in unlawful 
 activities, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

 November 12, 2025

 Mr. Smith of New Jersey introduced the following bill; which was 
 referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the 
Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, Homeland Security, and 
 Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the 
 Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall 
 within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

 A BILL

To create mechanisms by which State law enforcement can coordinate with 
 the Federal Government to detect and stop drones involved in unlawful 
 activities, and for other purposes.

 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Law Against 
Nefarious Drones, Enforcement, Deconfliction Act'' or the ``LANDED 
Act''.

    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.

Sec. 2. Definitions.

Sec. 3. Counter-UAS mitigation law enforcement cooperation.

Sec. 4 Mandatory drone deconfliction reporting.

Sec. 5 Counter-UAS security grant program.

Sec. 6. Review and report on UAS activity.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    (a) Application of Terms.--The terms in 

section 44801 of title 49, 
United States Code, shall apply to this Act.

    (b) In General.--In this Act:

    (1) Approved counter-uas detection system.--The term 
 ``approved counter-UAS detection system'' means a system or 
 device capable of lawfully and safely disabling, disrupting, or 
 seizing control of an unmanned aircraft or unmanned aircraft 
 system.

    (2) Threats posed by an unmanned aircraft or unmanned 
 aircraft system.--The term ``threats posed by an unmanned 
 aircraft system or unmanned aircraft system'' means an 
 unauthorized activity of an unmanned aircraft or unmanned 
 aircraft system that is reasonably believed to--
        (A) create the potential for bodily harm to, or 
 loss of, human life;
        (B) pose a threat to law enforcement, public 
 safety, national security installations, or critical 
 infrastructure; or
            (C) have the potential to cause severe economic 
 damage.

    (3) Unmanned aircraft system.--The term ``unmanned aircraft 
 system'' means an unmanned aircraft and associated elements 
 (including communication links and the components that control 
 the unmanned aircraft) that are required for the operator to 
 operate safely and efficiently in the national airspace system.

SEC. 3. COUNTER-UAS MITIGATION LAW ENFORCEMENT COOPERATION.

    (a) In General.--Subject to the availability of appropriations for 
such purpose, the Secretary of Homeland Security, in coordination with 
the Attorney General and the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration, shall establish appropriate policies, procedures, and 
protocols necessary to allow the State law enforcement agency in each 
State (in coordination with the Secretary, Attorney General, and 
Administrator) to acquire, deploy, operate, and train with approved 
counter-UAS mitigation systems and mitigate unauthorized UAS 
operations. Each authority may be delegated to local law enforcement as 
deemed appropriate.

    (b) Required Application.--In carrying out this section, the 
Secretary of Homeland Security, in coordination with the Attorney 
General. the Administrator and the Commissioner, shall establish an 
application process to authorize the acquisition, deployment, and 
operation of an approved counter-UAS mitigation system, equipment, or 
technology by State law enforcement agencies.
            (c) Agreements.--Upon approval of an application required under 
subsection

    (b) by the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Secretary 
shall enter into an agreement with the applicable State law enforcement 
agency to authorize the acquisition, deployment, and operation of an 
approved counter-UAS mitigation system, equipment, or technology, that 
shall specify, at a minimum--

    (1) the approved counter-UAS mitigation system, equipment, 
 or technology to be operated;

    (2) the authority to respond to threats posed by an 
 unmanned aircraft system or unmanned aircraft system;

    (3) the time periods, dates, and circumstances during which 
 the counter-UAS mitigation system, equipment, or technology may 
 be operated;

    (4) any terms and conditions on the deployment and 
 operation of an approved counter-UAS mitigation system, 
 equipment, or technology the Secretary determines necessary to 
 ensure public safety;

    (5) the frequency with which the appropriate Federal agency 
 representatives shall conduct periodic site visits to ensure 
 compliance with the approved terms and conditions of deployment 
 and operations of the approved counter-UAS mitigation system, 
 equipment, or technology; and

    (6) the post-event reporting requirements specified in 
 subsection

    (h)

    (3) .
            (d) Authorization.--Notwithstanding 

section 46502 of title 49, 
United States Code, or sections 32, 1030, and 1367 and chapters 119 and 
206 of title 18, United States Code, any State law enforcement agency 
which has been approved through the application process described in 
subsection

    (b) may authorize personnel with assigned duties that 
include the safety, security, or protection of people, facilities, or 
assets to take such actions as are described in subsection

    (g)

    (1) that 
are necessary to detect, identify, monitor, track, or mitigate a 
credible threat posed by an unmanned aircraft system or unmanned 
aircraft system as defined in 

section 331

    (8) of Public Law 112-95.

    (e) FCC.--

    (1) Other interference.--In establishing minimum 
 performance requirements under subsection
            (c) , the 
 Administrator shall consider criteria, as determined by the 
 Chair of the Federal Communications Commission, to determine 
 the extent to which counter-UAS detection and mitigation 
 systems, equipment, or technology can be safely operated 
 without disrupting or interfering with the operation of 
 civilian communications and information technology networks and 
 systems, including such networks and systems that rely on radio 
 frequency or cellular network communications links.

    (2) Spectrum impact consultation.--The Secretary, the 
 Attorney General, and the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
 Administration shall consult with the Chair of the Federal 
 Communications Commission or the Administrator of the National 
 Telecommunications and Information Administration, as 
 appropriate, to determine whether the use of a counter-UAS 
 detection or mitigation system, equipment, or technology 
 approved for use by the Secretary of Homeland Security does not 
 present an adverse impact on civilian telecommunications, 
 communications spectrum, internet technology, or radio 
 communications networks or systems.

    (f) Equipment Authorization.--Any equipment authorized to be 
acquired under this Act may be authorized by either the Secretary of 
Homeland Security or the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration.

    (g) Actions Described.--The actions authorized in subsection
            (d) are the following:

    (1) During the operation of the unmanned aircraft system or 
 unmanned aircraft, detecting, identifying, monitoring, and 
 tracking the unmanned aircraft system or unmanned aircraft, 
 without prior consent, including by means of intercept or other 
 access of a wire communication, an oral communication, or an 
 electronic communication used to control the unmanned aircraft 
 system or unmanned aircraft.

    (2) Warn the operator of the unmanned aircraft system or 
 unmanned aircraft, including by passive or active, and direct 
 or indirect, physical, electronic, radio, and electromagnetic 
 means.

    (3) Disrupt control of the unmanned aircraft system or 
 unmanned aircraft, without prior consent of the operator of the 
 unmanned aircraft system or unmanned aircraft, including by 
 disabling the unmanned aircraft system or unmanned aircraft by 
 intercepting, interfering, or causing interference with wire, 
 oral, electronic, or radio communications used to control the 
 unmanned aircraft system or unmanned aircraft.

    (4) Seize or exercise control of the unmanned aircraft 
 system or unmanned aircraft.

    (5) Seize or otherwise confiscate the unmanned aircraft 
 system or unmanned aircraft.

    (6) Use reasonable force, if necessary, to disable, damage, 
 or destroy the unmanned aircraft system or unmanned aircraft.

    (h) Required Coordination and Notification.--

    (1) In general.--Until the date that is 180 days after the 
 initial deployment of an authorized counter-UAS system, 
 equipment, or technology, the Secretary of Homeland Security 
 shall expressly approve, on a case-by-case basis, the 
 mitigation of unmanned aircraft system by a State law 
 enforcement agency under this section.

    (2) Verification and notification.--In carrying out 
 paragraph

    (1) , the Secretary of Homeland Security shall--
        (A) verify that there is a justifiable threat that 
 warrants the use of such counter-UAS system, equipment, 
 or technology;
        (B) verify that the use of such counter-UAS system, 
 equipment, or technology will--
            (i) be conducted in a manner consistent 
 with the agreement between the Secretary and 
 the State law enforcement agency; and
            (ii) abide by all safety protocols, terms, 
 and conditions established for the use of such 
 system, equipment, or technology; and
            (C) immediately notify the Administrator of the 
 Federal Aviation Administration of the approval 
 provided under this paragraph.

    (3) Report.--
        (A) In general.--Not later than 24 hours after each 
 mitigation of a UAS conducted under the authorities in 
 this section, the relevant State law enforcement agency 
 shall submit to the Secretary of Homeland Security, the 
 Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, 
 and the Attorney General a post-event report.
        (B) Contents.--The report under subparagraph
        (A) shall include all relevant information pertaining to 
 the event, including the drone operation, and 
 subsequent mitigation and enforcement actions, and 
 subsequent enforcement actions, as specified by the 
 Secretary.
            (i) Revocation.--The Secretary shall revoke the authorization or 
approval for the deployment and operation of an approved counter-UAS 
mitigation system, equipment, or technology pursuant to this section if 
the Secretary determines that the covered entity has not--

    (1) maintained an agreement that is acceptable to the 
 Secretary with a State law enforcement agency to operate such 
 approved counter-UAS mitigation system, equipment, or 
 technology on behalf of the covered entity; or

    (2) complied with the privacy protections under 

section 210G

    (e) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 
 124n

    (e) ).

    (j) Coordination.--The Secretary shall coordinate with the 
Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration and the Attorney 
General in carrying out the application, agreement, and revocation 
processes under this section.

    (k) Selection Criteria.--

    (1) Airspace considerations.--The Administrator of the 
 Federal Aviation Administration, in coordination with the 
 Secretary of Homeland Security and the Attorney General, shall 
 make a location-specific determination for each applicable 
 State law enforcement agency selected under the approval 
 process established under this section to ensure that any 
 potential use of counter-UAS mitigation systems, equipment, or 
 technology will not interfere with or adversely impact the safe 
 operation of the national airspace system, including any 
 airport that is located within the State.

    (2) Ineligibility for participation.--If an adverse impact 
 is identified under paragraph

    (1) and cannot be safely 
 mitigated to the satisfaction of the Administrator, the 
 applicable State law enforcement is not eligible to use 
 counter-UAS systems within a range determined by the Federal 
 Aviation Administrator of the site of interference.

SEC. 4. MANDATORY DRONE DECONFLICTION REPORTING.

    (a) In General.--Subject to the availability of appropriations for 
such purpose, not later than 180 days after the first determination 
that a counter-UAS system with mitigation capabilities meets the 
requirements of 

section 44810

    (e) of title 49, United States Code, the 
Secretary of Homeland Security, in coordination with the Administrator 
of the Federal Aviation Administration, shall establish appropriate 
policies to ensure deconfliction between Federal, State, or local 
agencies regarding drones flown by other Federal, State, or local 
agencies.

    (b) Mandatory Reporting Requirement.--

    (1) In general.--In carrying out this section, the 
 Secretary of Homeland Security, in coordination with the 
 Administrator, shall establish a mandatory nonemergency 
 reporting requirement mechanism for Federal, State, and local 
 law enforcement agencies.

    (2) Mandatory reporting requirements.--The reporting 
 requirement described in paragraph

    (1) shall contain--
        (A) a database containing a drone which is 
 currently being used in a nonemergency operation's 
 transponder ID and the date and time of its usage; and
        (B) a method for Federal, State, and local law 
 enforcement to check if a drone's transponder is within 
 the database and is currently in use.

SEC. 5. RAPID RESPONSE.

    (a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, 
the Secretary of Homeland Security may act rapidly to respond to a 
State request for assistance on a UAS mitigation situation in an 
emergency.

    (b) Process for Responding.--The Secretary of Homeland Security 
shall establish a process for the rapid response described in 
subsection

    (a) .

SEC. 6. COUNTER-UAS SECURITY GRANT PROGRAM.

    (a) Establishment.--There is established in the Department a 
program to be known as the ``Counter-UAS Security Grant Program'' (in 
this section referred to as the ``Program''). Under the Program, the 
Secretary, acting through the Administrator, shall make grants to 
eligible State law enforcement and emergency management agencies for 
the acquisition of counter-UAS equipment.

    (b) Eligible Recipients.--Eligible recipients are law enforcement 
agencies of States.
            (c) Permitted Uses.--The recipient of a grant under this section 
may use such grant for any of the following uses:

    (1) Acquisition of approved counter-UAS systems.

    (2) Fees for training approved personnel.

    (3) Any other appropriate activity, including 
 administrative activities, as determined by the Administrator.
            (d) Period of Performance.--The Administrator shall make funds 
provided under this section available for use by a recipient of a grant 
for a period of not less than 24 months.

SEC. 7. REVIEW AND REPORT ON UAS ACTIVITY.

    (a) Review.--The Inspector General of the Department of Defense 
shall conduct a review of potential foreign adversary connected UAS 
activity over critical military installations, vessels, aircraft, and 
the homeland, and other matters.

    (b) Report.--Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Inspector General shall submit to the relevant committees 
a report on--

    (1) UAS activity over military installations in the United 
 States and abroad;

    (2) UAS activity in close proximity to sensitive national 
 security installations;

    (3) instances of UAS activity in the vicinity of United 
 States military and law enforcement vessels and aircraft;

    (4) instances of the executive branch not sharing UAS 
 information with Congress when requested;

    (5) the process for deploying counter-UAS systems to assist 
 State and local law enforcement;

    (6) instances where the Department of Defense deployed 
 counter-UAS systems to assist State and local law enforcement; 
 and

    (7) an analysis of near-peer actors who possess the 
 capabilities to conduct such activities.
            (c) Definition of Relevant Committee.--In this section, the term 
``relevant committees'' means--

    (1) the Committees on Armed Services of the House of 
 Representatives and the Senate;

    (2) the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of 
 Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and 
 Government Affairs of the Senate;

    (3) the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of 
 the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
 Science, and Transportation of the Senate;

    (4) the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of 
 Representatives and the Committee on the Judiciary of the 
 Senate;

    (5) the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the 
 House of Representatives and the Select Committee on 
 Intelligence of the Senate;

    (6) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of 
 Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the 
 Senate; and

    (7) the Committee on Oversight and Accountability of the 
 House of Representatives.
            (d) Form.--The report required under subsection

    (b) shall be 
submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified annex.
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