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Wildfire Aerial Response Safety Act

USA119th CongressHR-6618| House 
| Updated: 3/25/2026
Janelle S. Bynum

Janelle S. Bynum

Democratic Representative

Oregon

Cosponsors (4)
Marcy Kaptur (Democratic)Elijah Crane (Republican)Joe Neguse (Democratic)Juan Ciscomani (Republican)

Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, Aviation Subcommittee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This legislation requires the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to conduct a comprehensive study on the effects of drone incursions on wildfire suppression. This study, to be performed in consultation with the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture, will focus specifically on federal lands where temporary flight restrictions are in place due to wildfires. The study must determine, for the five most recent calendar years, the number of instances where private drones interfered with wildfire suppression. For each occurrence, it will estimate the impact on the length of time required for suppression , any associated delays in deploying aerial firefighting units, and the resulting increase in federal expenditures. Furthermore, the Administrator will evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of various actions to prevent drone incursions, including the use of counter-drone radio towers, the application of reasonable force to disable or destroy drones, drone seizure methods, and the dissemination of educational materials. A report detailing the study's findings and recommendations must be submitted to Congress within 18 months of the Act's enactment.

Bill Text Versions

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Timeline
Dec 11, 2025
Introduced in House
Dec 11, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
Dec 12, 2025
Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.
Jan 21, 2026
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Jan 21, 2026
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Mar 16, 2026
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 471.
Mar 16, 2026
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 119-548.
Mar 24, 2026
Mr. Taylor moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Mar 24, 2026
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2654-2655)
Mar 24, 2026
Considered under suspension of the rules.
Mar 24, 2026
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6618.
Mar 24, 2026
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
Mar 24, 2026
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2654)
Mar 24, 2026
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
Mar 24, 2026
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Mar 25, 2026
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
  • December 11, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • December 11, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.


  • December 12, 2025
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.


  • January 21, 2026
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held


  • January 21, 2026
    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.


  • March 16, 2026
    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 471.


  • March 16, 2026
    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 119-548.


  • March 24, 2026
    Mr. Taylor moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.


  • March 24, 2026
    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2654-2655)


  • March 24, 2026
    Considered under suspension of the rules.


  • March 24, 2026
    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6618.


  • March 24, 2026
    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.


  • March 24, 2026
    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2654)


  • March 24, 2026
    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.


  • March 24, 2026
    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.


  • March 25, 2026
    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Transportation and Public Works

Related Bills

  • HR 119-5782: Western Wildfire Support Act of 2025
Aviation and airportsCongressional oversightFiresForests, forestry, treesGovernment studies and investigationsTransportation safety and security

Wildfire Aerial Response Safety Act

USA119th CongressHR-6618| House 
| Updated: 3/25/2026
This legislation requires the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to conduct a comprehensive study on the effects of drone incursions on wildfire suppression. This study, to be performed in consultation with the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture, will focus specifically on federal lands where temporary flight restrictions are in place due to wildfires. The study must determine, for the five most recent calendar years, the number of instances where private drones interfered with wildfire suppression. For each occurrence, it will estimate the impact on the length of time required for suppression , any associated delays in deploying aerial firefighting units, and the resulting increase in federal expenditures. Furthermore, the Administrator will evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of various actions to prevent drone incursions, including the use of counter-drone radio towers, the application of reasonable force to disable or destroy drones, drone seizure methods, and the dissemination of educational materials. A report detailing the study's findings and recommendations must be submitted to Congress within 18 months of the Act's enactment.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
5 versions available

Suggested Questions

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

Timeline
Dec 11, 2025
Introduced in House
Dec 11, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
Dec 12, 2025
Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.
Jan 21, 2026
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Jan 21, 2026
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Mar 16, 2026
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 471.
Mar 16, 2026
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 119-548.
Mar 24, 2026
Mr. Taylor moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Mar 24, 2026
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2654-2655)
Mar 24, 2026
Considered under suspension of the rules.
Mar 24, 2026
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6618.
Mar 24, 2026
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
Mar 24, 2026
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2654)
Mar 24, 2026
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
Mar 24, 2026
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Mar 25, 2026
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
  • December 11, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • December 11, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.


  • December 12, 2025
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.


  • January 21, 2026
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held


  • January 21, 2026
    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.


  • March 16, 2026
    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 471.


  • March 16, 2026
    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 119-548.


  • March 24, 2026
    Mr. Taylor moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.


  • March 24, 2026
    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2654-2655)


  • March 24, 2026
    Considered under suspension of the rules.


  • March 24, 2026
    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6618.


  • March 24, 2026
    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.


  • March 24, 2026
    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2654)


  • March 24, 2026
    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.


  • March 24, 2026
    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.


  • March 25, 2026
    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Janelle S. Bynum

Janelle S. Bynum

Democratic Representative

Oregon

Cosponsors (4)
Marcy Kaptur (Democratic)Elijah Crane (Republican)Joe Neguse (Democratic)Juan Ciscomani (Republican)

Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, Aviation Subcommittee

Transportation and Public Works

Related Bills

  • HR 119-5782: Western Wildfire Support Act of 2025
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Aviation and airportsCongressional oversightFiresForests, forestry, treesGovernment studies and investigationsTransportation safety and security