Public Safety UAS Readiness Act

This bill establishes the "Public Safety UAS Readiness Act," creating a grant program for unmanned aircraft system (UAS) pilot training for eligible public safety entities, administered by the Secretary of Transportation through the Federal Aviation Administration. This initiative aims to enhance the operational capabilities of these agencies by providing resources for specialized UAS training.

Grant recipients can utilize funds to establish and develop comprehensive UAS training programs, covering curriculum design, instructional materials, and advanced instruction for complex, multi-agency missions. Funds may also be used to purchase unmanned aircraft systems for training and to cover reasonable administrative costs. Eligibility requires a comprehensive plan detailing federal fund management and how UAS training and operations will be sustained, including risk management and data protection protocols.

Training programs must adhere to applicable federal laws and regulations, alongside industry standards from groups like the National Wildfire Coordinating Group and the National Fire Protection Association. Curricula must be maintained or licensed by a national nonprofit public safety organization or emergency response training entity, ensuring consistency with operational standards. Priority for grants will go to entities involved in high-risk operations, those in underserved regions, or those demonstrating multi-agency coordination and a lack of existing UAS training capacity.

Both grant recipients and the Secretary of Transportation must submit annual reports detailing program outcomes and progress. The bill authorizes an appropriation of $10,000,000 annually for fiscal years 2026 through 2029 to fund this initiative.