Counter-UAS Authority Security, Safety, and Reauthorization Act

This bill, titled the "Counter-UAS Authority Security, Safety, and Reauthorization Act," aims to reauthorize and significantly reform existing counter-unmanned aircraft system (C-UAS) authorities. It seeks to improve transparency, security, safety, and accountability related to these authorities, primarily for the Departments of Homeland Security (DHS), Justice (DOJ), and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The legislation amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002, clarifying DHS and DOJ's authority to seize, control, or confiscate unmanned aircraft. It mandates coordination with the FAA to ensure C-UAS actions do not adversely impact aviation safety and requires joint research, testing, and evaluation of C-UAS equipment. A crucial provision establishes a list of approved C-UAS detection and mitigation systems, requiring FAA and spectrum impact determinations, and explicitly bans systems from certain foreign manufacturers. The bill also updates privacy protections for intercepted communications, specifying conditions for record disposal and sharing, and requires joint annual reports to Congress detailing C-UAS activities, including instances of mitigation, communication interception, and privacy efforts. Furthermore, it extends the termination date for these authorities to October 1, 2030, and authorizes C-UAS training and operator qualification criteria. A new section grants the FAA direct authority to detect and mitigate credible UAS threats to national airspace safety and to test C-UAS systems. This includes actions like tracking, contacting operators, seizing, disrupting, disabling, or destroying UAS. The FAA is required to establish an Office of Counter-UAS Activities and develop minimum performance requirements for C-UAS systems, considering aviation safety, efficacy, and potential interference with communications. The bill prohibits the FAA from acquiring or operating C-UAS systems from certain foreign enterprises and mandates semi-annual briefings to Congress on its C-UAS activities. It also establishes a voluntary verified UAS operator program to facilitate routine access to restricted airspace for compliant operators, enhancing safety and streamlining operations. Significantly, the legislation expands C-UAS capabilities beyond federal agencies. It allows DHS, in coordination with the FAA and DOJ, to authorize "covered entities" such as critical infrastructure owners, large airports, and event organizers, to acquire and operate approved C-UAS detection systems. This requires a detailed application process, including a justifiable need and an agreement with law enforcement, with provisions for revocation if terms are not met. A pilot program is established to assess the efficacy of approved C-UAS mitigation systems for State and local law enforcement agencies at covered sites and events. This program includes a special provision for multinational sporting events, allowing participating agencies to transition into the broader pilot program. Rigorous application, coordination, and post-event reporting requirements are outlined, along with objectives and metrics for evaluating the program's success. For airports, the bill mandates the FAA, DHS, and DOJ to develop a strategic plan for C-UAS operations at covered airports, including large and medium hub airports and major cargo facilities. It requires the deployment of approved C-UAS detection systems at these airports within specified timelines. A separate pilot program will assess the feasibility of deploying C-UAS mitigation systems at up to five covered airports, potentially involving airport police. Site-specific planning is required before C-UAS deployment at airports, involving airport personnel, law enforcement, and air traffic controllers. The bill prohibits federal agencies from requiring airport operators to procure C-UAS systems for federal use. Finally, it creates a new enforcement authority, prohibiting careless or reckless operation of C-UAS systems by non-federal entities that interfere with airspace, with civil penalties. It also requires annual public reports from DHS on all C-UAS activities, including data on detections, mitigations, and privacy protections, and modernizes drone safety statements provided by manufacturers to operators.