The "Drones for First Responders Act" aims to mitigate national security risks and market dominance posed by unmanned aircraft manufactured in the People's Republic of China. Congressional findings indicate that subsidized Chinese drones undercut domestic markets and constitute over 90 percent of those used by American first responders, underscoring the critical need for secure, U.S. or allied-made alternatives. To address this, the legislation amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to impose escalating ad valorem duties on Chinese-made unmanned aircraft. These duties will begin at 30 percent , increasing incrementally over four years to a final rate of $100 each plus 50 percent , effective 30 days after enactment and in addition to any existing duties. Furthermore, beginning January 1, 2031, the bill strengthens rules of origin by prohibiting the entry of unmanned aircraft containing specific critical components, such as flight controllers or operating software, manufactured in China. An exemption exists for certain FAA-authorized drones not made by covered foreign entities or in foreign adversary countries, with the FAA required to provide a qualifying list by January 1, 2026. A "Secure Unmanned Aircraft Systems for First Responders Fund" will be established in the Treasury, funded entirely by the duties collected from these new tariffs. This fund will support a grant program, to be implemented within one year by the Secretary of Homeland Security, assisting first responders, farmers and ranchers, and critical infrastructure providers in acquiring secure unmanned aircraft systems. Grant funding will be prioritized, with 60 percent allocated to first responders, and 20 percent each for farmers/ranchers and critical infrastructure providers. The program will also prioritize recipients in states or localities that have already banned the purchase or operation of drones based on their country of origin or manufacturer. The Secretary will consult with the Secretaries of Agriculture and Transportation for specific grant criteria and will report annually to Congress on the program's implementation.