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Deescalation Drone Pilot Program Act of 2025

USA119th CongressHR-3598| House 
| Updated: 5/24/2025
Troy E. Nehls

Troy E. Nehls

Republican Representative

Texas

Cosponsors (21)
David Schweikert (Republican)Barry Moore (Republican)Clay Higgins (Republican)Ryan K. Zinke (Republican)Celeste Maloy (Republican)Tim Burchett (Republican)Mike Ezell (Republican)Beth Van Duyne (Republican)Eugene Simon Vindman (Democratic)J. Luis Correa (Democratic)Brandon Gill (Republican)Donald G. Davis (Democratic)Dan Newhouse (Republican)Brad Finstad (Republican)Tony Wied (Republican)Glenn Grothman (Republican)John H. Rutherford (Republican)Lauren Boebert (Republican)Pete Stauber (Republican)Wesley Hunt (Republican)Michael Guest (Republican)

Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Aviation Subcommittee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This legislation mandates the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to establish a pilot program for the use of nonlethal deescalation unmanned aircraft by law enforcement agencies. The program's primary focus is to assess the potential deployment of these drones during active shooter events , aiming to enhance safety by increasing the engagement distance between officers and threats. Key components of the pilot program include reviewing and validating nonlethal weapons, developing comprehensive training protocols for operators, and establishing robust operational and safety guidelines. The FAA is directed to collaborate with existing unmanned aircraft system test ranges and various law enforcement entities, including Federal, State, and metropolitan agencies, to carry out this program. Following the pilot's conclusion, the Administrator must submit a report to Congress detailing the results and outlining a process for law enforcement to seek permission to operate these drones. Subsequently, the FAA will initiate rulemaking to create a formal approval process for both law enforcement operation and manufacturer testing, with a crucial requirement that all participating nonlethal deescalation unmanned aircraft must be manufactured in the United States .
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Timeline
May 23, 2025
Introduced in House
May 23, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
May 24, 2025
Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.
  • May 23, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • May 23, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.


  • May 24, 2025
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.

Transportation and Public Works

Deescalation Drone Pilot Program Act of 2025

USA119th CongressHR-3598| House 
| Updated: 5/24/2025
This legislation mandates the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to establish a pilot program for the use of nonlethal deescalation unmanned aircraft by law enforcement agencies. The program's primary focus is to assess the potential deployment of these drones during active shooter events , aiming to enhance safety by increasing the engagement distance between officers and threats. Key components of the pilot program include reviewing and validating nonlethal weapons, developing comprehensive training protocols for operators, and establishing robust operational and safety guidelines. The FAA is directed to collaborate with existing unmanned aircraft system test ranges and various law enforcement entities, including Federal, State, and metropolitan agencies, to carry out this program. Following the pilot's conclusion, the Administrator must submit a report to Congress detailing the results and outlining a process for law enforcement to seek permission to operate these drones. Subsequently, the FAA will initiate rulemaking to create a formal approval process for both law enforcement operation and manufacturer testing, with a crucial requirement that all participating nonlethal deescalation unmanned aircraft must be manufactured in the United States .
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

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

Timeline
May 23, 2025
Introduced in House
May 23, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
May 24, 2025
Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.
  • May 23, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • May 23, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.


  • May 24, 2025
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.
Troy E. Nehls

Troy E. Nehls

Republican Representative

Texas

Cosponsors (21)
David Schweikert (Republican)Barry Moore (Republican)Clay Higgins (Republican)Ryan K. Zinke (Republican)Celeste Maloy (Republican)Tim Burchett (Republican)Mike Ezell (Republican)Beth Van Duyne (Republican)Eugene Simon Vindman (Democratic)J. Luis Correa (Democratic)Brandon Gill (Republican)Donald G. Davis (Democratic)Dan Newhouse (Republican)Brad Finstad (Republican)Tony Wied (Republican)Glenn Grothman (Republican)John H. Rutherford (Republican)Lauren Boebert (Republican)Pete Stauber (Republican)Wesley Hunt (Republican)Michael Guest (Republican)

Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Aviation Subcommittee

Transportation and Public Works

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