Legis Daily

Deescalation Drone Pilot Program Act of 2026

USA119th CongressS-4309| Senate 
| Updated: 4/15/2026
James C. Justice

James C. Justice

Republican Senator

West Virginia

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill mandates the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator to establish a pilot program for small, nonlethal deescalation unmanned aircraft. The program's primary objective is to review the potential use of these drones by Federal, State, local, or Tribal law enforcement agencies when responding to active shooter events . Key components of the pilot program include reviewing and validating nonlethal weapons, developing training and operational protocols for law enforcement, and assessing the efficacy of these drones in indoor active shooter scenarios, particularly regarding the safety benefits of increasing engagement distance. Upon the pilot program's conclusion, the Administrator must submit a report to Congress detailing the results and outlining a process for law enforcement to seek permission to operate such aircraft. Subsequently, the FAA is required to initiate rulemaking to create a formal approval process for law enforcement to use nonlethal deescalation unmanned aircraft during active shooter events, and for manufacturers to operate them for testing. A crucial provision stipulates that any nonlethal deescalation unmanned aircraft used under this pilot program must be manufactured in the United States .
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

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

Timeline
May 24, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-3598
Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.
Apr 15, 2026
Introduced in Senate
Apr 15, 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
  • May 24, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-3598
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.


  • April 15, 2026
    Introduced in Senate


  • April 15, 2026
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Transportation and Public Works

Related Bills

  • HR 119-3598: Deescalation Drone Pilot Program Act of 2025

Deescalation Drone Pilot Program Act of 2026

USA119th CongressS-4309| Senate 
| Updated: 4/15/2026
This bill mandates the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator to establish a pilot program for small, nonlethal deescalation unmanned aircraft. The program's primary objective is to review the potential use of these drones by Federal, State, local, or Tribal law enforcement agencies when responding to active shooter events . Key components of the pilot program include reviewing and validating nonlethal weapons, developing training and operational protocols for law enforcement, and assessing the efficacy of these drones in indoor active shooter scenarios, particularly regarding the safety benefits of increasing engagement distance. Upon the pilot program's conclusion, the Administrator must submit a report to Congress detailing the results and outlining a process for law enforcement to seek permission to operate such aircraft. Subsequently, the FAA is required to initiate rulemaking to create a formal approval process for law enforcement to use nonlethal deescalation unmanned aircraft during active shooter events, and for manufacturers to operate them for testing. A crucial provision stipulates that any nonlethal deescalation unmanned aircraft used under this pilot program must be manufactured in the United States .
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

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

Timeline
May 24, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-3598
Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.
Apr 15, 2026
Introduced in Senate
Apr 15, 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
  • May 24, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-3598
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.


  • April 15, 2026
    Introduced in Senate


  • April 15, 2026
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
James C. Justice

James C. Justice

Republican Senator

West Virginia

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

Transportation and Public Works

Related Bills

  • HR 119-3598: Deescalation Drone Pilot Program Act of 2025
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted