Drone Espionage Act

United States119th CongressS-1809Senate
Updated: Feb 9, 2026

Summary

The "Drone Espionage Act" seeks to amend Section 793 of title 18, United States Code , which pertains to the unauthorized gathering, transmitting, or losing of defense information. Its core purpose is to explicitly include "video" as a prohibited form of media within this statute. The bill achieves this by inserting the term "video," after "photographic negative," wherever it appears in the existing text. This legislative change aims to modernize the law, ensuring that the unauthorized recording or transmission of sensitive defense information via video, such as drone footage, is clearly covered. Ultimately, the act intends to enhance national security by adapting legal protections to contemporary technological capabilities.

Bill texts

Available versions
View official text

2 versions available

All available records shown.

Timeline

Latest companion bill action

HR-2939: Drone Espionage Act

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

  1. Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on Border Management, Federal Workforce, and Regulatory Affairs. Hearings held.

    Senate

  2. Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.

    Senate

  3. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 316.

    Senate

  4. Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Grassley without amendment. Without written report.

    Senate