WASHINGTON, DC – With an uptick in drone sightings raising security concerns and jurisdictional questions across the country, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), the Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, is teaming up with Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), the Chairman of the Senate Homeland Security Committee, on a bill to enhance law enforcement's ability to detect and counter threats posed by the unmanned aircraft systems (UAS).

The Safeguarding the Homeland from the Threats Posed by Unmanned Aircraft Systems Act (S. 1631) would provide state and local authorities with more authority and tools to track drones. The measure would authorize state and local law enforcement to work with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to conduct detection operations to locate the source of drone threats.  It would create a program where DHS and DOJ would designate a dozen state/local agencies each year to receive special training to allow them to both detect and bring down drones that threaten critical facilities or mass gatherings like sporting events.

The bill also would allow the federal Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to proactively protect transportation infrastructure from drone threats, including by using detection and mitigation equipment before an emergency situation arises. It would also allow DHS and DOJ to use existing authorities to protect critical infrastructure.

“There has been a lot of confusion in the wake of increased drone activity up and down the East Coast and other parts of the country.  This is a commonsense measure granting law enforcement more authority to combat potential threats posed by drones and ensure that local law enforcement entities are coordinating with the federal government and have the tools, training, and protocols in place in case of an emergency. The Safeguarding the Homeland from the Threats Posed by Unmanned Aircraft Systems Act would allow DHS and DOJ to work with state and local officials to neutralize drones determined to pose a public safety risk,” said Senator Reed.

Flying drones for recreational or commercial uses is legal with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification in Rhode Island, but operators are subject to federal airspace restrictions.

According to the FAA,  which has authority over U.S. airspace, there are currently about 792,000 registered drones operating in the U.S., evenly divided between commercial drones and those used for recreational purposes.  When it comes to drone registration, the FAA sets specific guidelines based on attributes such as weight and whether the drone is for recreational or commercial purposes.  Drones heavier than 55 pounds require special permits and additional regulatory processes due to their size, potential impact, and operational risks.  Failure to register could result in hefty fines.

Senator Reed has been briefed on the recent drone sightings in New York and New Jersey.  A Pentagon official publicly confirmed that the sighted drone activities had not involved U.S. military drones. Senator Reed says the federal government needs to be as transparent as possible, ensure the public is well-informed about the nature of drone activity, and most importantly, ensure both the skies and people on the ground are safe.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) says he plans to bring the Safeguarding the Homeland from the Threats Posed by Unmanned Aircraft Systems Act to the Senate floor for a vote this week.

“Public safety is my priority and the recent confusion underscores that the federal government needs to do a better job and coordinate with state and local officials when it comes to drones.  Whether it is unintentional operator error or malicious drone activity, federal, state, and local leaders should be working in concert to protect people and make our communities safer,” said Reed.

In April, Senator Reed publicly sounded the alarm about drone threats, co-authoring an op-ed with Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS) titled: The U.S. — and its troops abroad — are vulnerable to low-flying drones.  Reed also successfully included several drone incursion-related provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) aimed at improving our military’s response to potential drone threats, including the creation of a counter-drone strategy.

The Further Continuing Appropriations and Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, which the Senate is expected to vote on later this week, would extend existing DHS authorities to identify, monitor, and, when necessary, counter UAS through March 14, 2025.