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To establish a Department of State Domestic Protection Mission relating to unmanned aircraft system and unmanned aircraft.

USA119th CongressHR-1386| House 
| Updated: 2/14/2025
Cory Mills

Cory Mills

Republican Representative

Florida

Cosponsors (2)
Michael T. McCaul (Republican)Michael Lawler (Republican)

Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Foreign Affairs Committee, Judiciary Committee, Energy and Commerce Committee, Aviation Subcommittee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill establishes a Department of State Domestic Protection Mission, granting the Secretary of State and authorized personnel, including Bureau of Diplomatic Security, the authority to counter credible threats posed by unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) to specific facilities or assets. These designated personnel may detect, identify, monitor, and track threatening UAS, including by intercepting communications, and issue warnings to operators. The authority also extends to disrupting control, seizing, confiscating, or using reasonable force to disable, damage, or destroy such unmanned aircraft. The legislation specifies that "covered facilities or assets" are high-risk targets identified through a risk-based assessment, located in the U.S., and directly related to the Department of State's security and protective missions. This authority is granted notwithstanding certain existing federal laws concerning aviation and communications. Before implementing any actions, the Secretary of State must conduct research, testing, training, and evaluation of equipment, coordinating with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to prevent adverse impacts on the national airspace system. Extensive coordination with the FAA, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, and the Federal Communications Commission is mandated to ensure that all actions and guidance preserve safe airport operations, navigation, and the efficient operation of the national airspace. Furthermore, the bill includes robust privacy protection provisions, requiring that any interception or access to UAS communications adheres to the First and Fourth Amendments, is limited to necessary support for authorized actions, and follows strict rules for record retention and disclosure. The authority established by this bill is temporary, set to terminate seven years after its enactment. During this period, the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Transportation are required to provide semiannual briefings to Congress. These briefings will cover the activities undertaken, policies to mitigate airspace impacts, privacy and civil liberties considerations, public outreach efforts, and the overall impact on lawful operator access to national airspace.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-7586
To establish a Department of State Domestic Protection Mission relating to unmanned aircraft system and unmanned aircraft.
Feb 14, 2025
Introduced in House
Feb 14, 2025
Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.
Feb 14, 2025
Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, the Judiciary, and Energy and Commerce, 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.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-7586
    To establish a Department of State Domestic Protection Mission relating to unmanned aircraft system and unmanned aircraft.


  • February 14, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • February 14, 2025
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.


  • February 14, 2025
    Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, the Judiciary, and Energy and Commerce, 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.

International Affairs

To establish a Department of State Domestic Protection Mission relating to unmanned aircraft system and unmanned aircraft.

USA119th CongressHR-1386| House 
| Updated: 2/14/2025
This bill establishes a Department of State Domestic Protection Mission, granting the Secretary of State and authorized personnel, including Bureau of Diplomatic Security, the authority to counter credible threats posed by unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) to specific facilities or assets. These designated personnel may detect, identify, monitor, and track threatening UAS, including by intercepting communications, and issue warnings to operators. The authority also extends to disrupting control, seizing, confiscating, or using reasonable force to disable, damage, or destroy such unmanned aircraft. The legislation specifies that "covered facilities or assets" are high-risk targets identified through a risk-based assessment, located in the U.S., and directly related to the Department of State's security and protective missions. This authority is granted notwithstanding certain existing federal laws concerning aviation and communications. Before implementing any actions, the Secretary of State must conduct research, testing, training, and evaluation of equipment, coordinating with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to prevent adverse impacts on the national airspace system. Extensive coordination with the FAA, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, and the Federal Communications Commission is mandated to ensure that all actions and guidance preserve safe airport operations, navigation, and the efficient operation of the national airspace. Furthermore, the bill includes robust privacy protection provisions, requiring that any interception or access to UAS communications adheres to the First and Fourth Amendments, is limited to necessary support for authorized actions, and follows strict rules for record retention and disclosure. The authority established by this bill is temporary, set to terminate seven years after its enactment. During this period, the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Transportation are required to provide semiannual briefings to Congress. These briefings will cover the activities undertaken, policies to mitigate airspace impacts, privacy and civil liberties considerations, public outreach efforts, and the overall impact on lawful operator access to national airspace.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-7586
To establish a Department of State Domestic Protection Mission relating to unmanned aircraft system and unmanned aircraft.
Feb 14, 2025
Introduced in House
Feb 14, 2025
Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.
Feb 14, 2025
Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, the Judiciary, and Energy and Commerce, 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.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-7586
    To establish a Department of State Domestic Protection Mission relating to unmanned aircraft system and unmanned aircraft.


  • February 14, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • February 14, 2025
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.


  • February 14, 2025
    Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, the Judiciary, and Energy and Commerce, 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.
Cory Mills

Cory Mills

Republican Representative

Florida

Cosponsors (2)
Michael T. McCaul (Republican)Michael Lawler (Republican)

Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Foreign Affairs Committee, Judiciary Committee, Energy and Commerce Committee, Aviation Subcommittee

International Affairs

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted