H.R. 6042

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 6042 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 6042

To create mechanisms by which State law enforcement can coordinate with 
the Federal Government to detect and stop drones involved in unlawful 
activities, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

November 12, 2025

Mr. Smith of New Jersey introduced the following bill; which was 
referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the 
Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, Homeland Security, and 
Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the 
Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall 
within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To create mechanisms by which State law enforcement can coordinate with 
the Federal Government to detect and stop drones involved in unlawful 
activities, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Law Against 
Nefarious Drones, Enforcement, Deconfliction Act'' or the ``LANDED 
Act''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Definitions.
Sec. 3. Counter-UAS mitigation law enforcement cooperation.
Sec. 4 Mandatory drone deconfliction reporting.
Sec. 5 Counter-UAS security grant program.
Sec. 6. Review and report on UAS activity.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

(a) Application of Terms.--The terms in section 44801 of title 49, 
United States Code, shall apply to this Act.
(b) In General.--In this Act:
(1) Approved counter-uas detection system.--The term 
``approved counter-UAS detection system'' means a system or 
device capable of lawfully and safely disabling, disrupting, or 
seizing control of an unmanned aircraft or unmanned aircraft 
system.
(2) Threats posed by an unmanned aircraft or unmanned 
aircraft system.--The term ``threats posed by an unmanned 
aircraft system or unmanned aircraft system'' means an 
unauthorized activity of an unmanned aircraft or unmanned 
aircraft system that is reasonably believed to--
(A) create the potential for bodily harm to, or 
loss of, human life;
(B) pose a threat to law enforcement, public 
safety, national security installations, or critical 
infrastructure; or
(C) have the potential to cause severe economic 
damage.
(3) Unmanned aircraft system.--The term ``unmanned aircraft 
system'' means an unmanned aircraft and associated elements 
(including communication links and the components that control 
the unmanned aircraft) that are required for the operator to 
operate safely and efficiently in the national airspace system.

SEC. 3. COUNTER-UAS MITIGATION LAW ENFORCEMENT COOPERATION.

(a) In General.--Subject to the availability of appropriations for 
such purpose, the Secretary of Homeland Security, in coordination with 
the Attorney General and the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration, shall establish appropriate policies, procedures, and 
protocols necessary to allow the State law enforcement agency in each 
State (in coordination with the Secretary, Attorney General, and 
Administrator) to acquire, deploy, operate, and train with approved 
counter-UAS mitigation systems and mitigate unauthorized UAS 
operations. Each authority may be delegated to local law enforcement as 
deemed appropriate.
(b) Required Application.--In carrying out this section, the 
Secretary of Homeland Security, in coordination with the Attorney 
General. the Administrator and the Commissioner, shall establish an 
application process to authorize the acquisition, deployment, and 
operation of an approved counter-UAS mitigation system, equipment, or 
technology by State law enforcement agencies.
(c) Agreements.--Upon approval of an application required under 
subsection (b) by the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Secretary 
shall enter into an agreement with the applicable State law enforcement 
agency to authorize the acquisition, deployment, and operation of an 
approved counter-UAS mitigation system, equipment, or technology, that 
shall specify, at a minimum--
(1) the approved counter-UAS mitigation system, equipment, 
or technology to be operated;
(2) the authority to respond to threats posed by an 
unmanned aircraft system or unmanned aircraft system;
(3) the time periods, dates, and circumstances during which 
the counter-UAS mitigation system, equipment, or technology may 
be operated;
(4) any terms and conditions on the deployment and 
operation of an approved counter-UAS mitigation system, 
equipment, or technology the Secretary determines necessary to 
ensure public safety;
(5) the frequency with which the appropriate Federal agency 
representatives shall conduct periodic site visits to ensure 
compliance with the approved terms and conditions of deployment 
and operations of the approved counter-UAS mitigation system, 
equipment, or technology; and
(6) the post-event reporting requirements specified in 
subsection (h)(3).
(d) Authorization.--Notwithstanding section 46502 of title 49, 
United States Code, or sections 32, 1030, and 1367 and chapters 119 and 
206 of title 18, United States Code, any State law enforcement agency 
which has been approved through the application process described in 
subsection (b) may authorize personnel with assigned duties that 
include the safety, security, or protection of people, facilities, or 
assets to take such actions as are described in subsection (g)(1) that 
are necessary to detect, identify, monitor, track, or mitigate a 
credible threat posed by an unmanned aircraft system or unmanned 
aircraft system as defined in section 331(8) of Public Law 112-95.
(e) FCC.--
(1) Other interference.--In establishing minimum 
performance requirements under subsection (c), the 
Administrator shall consider criteria, as determined by the 
Chair of the Federal Communications Commission, to determine 
the extent to which counter-UAS detection and mitigation 
systems, equipment, or technology can be safely operated 
without disrupting or interfering with the operation of 
civilian communications and information technology networks and 
systems, including such networks and systems that rely on radio 
frequency or cellular network communications links.
(2) Spectrum impact consultation.--The Secretary, the 
Attorney General, and the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall consult with the Chair of the Federal 
Communications Commission or the Administrator of the National 
Telecommunications and Information Administration, as 
appropriate, to determine whether the use of a counter-UAS 
detection or mitigation system, equipment, or technology 
approved for use by the Secretary of Homeland Security does not 
present an adverse impact on civilian telecommunications, 
communications spectrum, internet technology, or radio 
communications networks or systems.
(f) Equipment Authorization.--Any equipment authorized to be 
acquired under this Act may be authorized by either the Secretary of 
Homeland Security or the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration.
(g) Actions Described.--The actions authorized in subsection (d) 
are the following:
(1) During the operation of the unmanned aircraft system or 
unmanned aircraft, detecting, identifying, monitoring, and 
tracking the unmanned aircraft system or unmanned aircraft, 
without prior consent, including by means of intercept or other 
access of a wire communication, an oral communication, or an 
electronic communication used to control the unmanned aircraft 
system or unmanned aircraft.
(2) Warn the operator of the unmanned aircraft system or 
unmanned aircraft, including by passive or active, and direct 
or indirect, physical, electronic, radio, and electromagnetic 
means.
(3) Disrupt control of the unmanned aircraft system or 
unmanned aircraft, without prior consent of the operator of the 
unmanned aircraft system or unmanned aircraft, including by 
disabling the unmanned aircraft system or unmanned aircraft by 
intercepting, interfering, or causing interference with wire, 
oral, electronic, or radio communications used to control the 
unmanned aircraft system or unmanned aircraft.
(4) Seize or exercise control of the unmanned aircraft 
system or unmanned aircraft.
(5) Seize or otherwise confiscate the unmanned aircraft 
system or unmanned aircraft.
(6) Use reasonable force, if necessary, to disable, damage, 
or destroy the unmanned aircraft system or unmanned aircraft.
(h) Required Coordination and Notification.--
(1) In general.--Until the date that is 180 days after the 
initial deployment of an authorized counter-UAS system, 
equipment, or technology, the Secretary of Homeland Security 
shall expressly approve, on a case-by-case basis, the 
mitigation of unmanned aircraft system by a State law 
enforcement agency under this section.
(2) Verification and notification.--In carrying out 
paragraph (1), the Secretary of Homeland Security shall--
(A) verify that there is a justifiable threat that 
warrants the use of such counter-UAS system, equipment, 
or technology;
(B) verify that the use of such counter-UAS system, 
equipment, or technology will--
(i) be conducted in a manner consistent 
with the agreement between the Secretary and 
the State law enforcement agency; and
(ii) abide by all safety protocols, terms, 
and conditions established for the use of such 
system, equipment, or technology; and
(C) immediately notify the Administrator of the 
Federal Aviation Administration of the approval 
provided under this paragraph.
(3) Report.--
(A) In general.--Not later than 24 hours after each 
mitigation of a UAS conducted under the authorities in 
this section, the relevant State law enforcement agency 
shall submit to the Secretary of Homeland Security, the 
Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, 
and the Attorney General a post-event report.
(B) Contents.--The report under subparagraph (A) 
shall include all relevant information pertaining to 
the event, including the drone operation, and 
subsequent mitigation and enforcement actions, and 
subsequent enforcement actions, as specified by the 
Secretary.
(i) Revocation.--The Secretary shall revoke the authorization or 
approval for the deployment and operation of an approved counter-UAS 
mitigation system, equipment, or technology pursuant to this section if 
the Secretary determines that the covered entity has not--
(1) maintained an agreement that is acceptable to the 
Secretary with a State law enforcement agency to operate such 
approved counter-UAS mitigation system, equipment, or 
technology on behalf of the covered entity; or
(2) complied with the privacy protections under section 
210G(e) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 
124n(e)).
(j) Coordination.--The Secretary shall coordinate with the 
Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration and the Attorney 
General in carrying out the application, agreement, and revocation 
processes under this section.
(k) Selection Criteria.--
(1) Airspace considerations.--The Administrator of the 
Federal Aviation Administration, in coordination with the 
Secretary of Homeland Security and the Attorney General, shall 
make a location-specific determination for each applicable 
State law enforcement agency selected under the approval 
process established under this section to ensure that any 
potential use of counter-UAS mitigation systems, equipment, or 
technology will not interfere with or adversely impact the safe 
operation of the national airspace system, including any 
airport that is located within the State.
(2) Ineligibility for participation.--If an adverse impact 
is identified under paragraph (1) and cannot be safely 
mitigated to the satisfaction of the Administrator, the 
applicable State law enforcement is not eligible to use 
counter-UAS systems within a range determined by the Federal 
Aviation Administrator of the site of interference.

SEC. 4. MANDATORY DRONE DECONFLICTION REPORTING.

(a) In General.--Subject to the availability of appropriations for 
such purpose, not later than 180 days after the first determination 
that a counter-UAS system with mitigation capabilities meets the 
requirements of section 44810(e) of title 49, United States Code, the 
Secretary of Homeland Security, in coordination with the Administrator 
of the Federal Aviation Administration, shall establish appropriate 
policies to ensure deconfliction between Federal, State, or local 
agencies regarding drones flown by other Federal, State, or local 
agencies.
(b) Mandatory Reporting Requirement.--
(1) In general.--In carrying out this section, the 
Secretary of Homeland Security, in coordination with the 
Administrator, shall establish a mandatory nonemergency 
reporting requirement mechanism for Federal, State, and local 
law enforcement agencies.
(2) Mandatory reporting requirements.--The reporting 
requirement described in paragraph (1) shall contain--
(A) a database containing a drone which is 
currently being used in a nonemergency operation's 
transponder ID and the date and time of its usage; and
(B) a method for Federal, State, and local law 
enforcement to check if a drone's transponder is within 
the database and is currently in use.

SEC. 5. RAPID RESPONSE.

(a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, 
the Secretary of Homeland Security may act rapidly to respond to a 
State request for assistance on a UAS mitigation situation in an 
emergency.
(b) Process for Responding.--The Secretary of Homeland Security 
shall establish a process for the rapid response described in 
subsection (a).

SEC. 6. COUNTER-UAS SECURITY GRANT PROGRAM.

(a) Establishment.--There is established in the Department a 
program to be known as the ``Counter-UAS Security Grant Program'' (in 
this section referred to as the ``Program''). Under the Program, the 
Secretary, acting through the Administrator, shall make grants to 
eligible State law enforcement and emergency management agencies for 
the acquisition of counter-UAS equipment.
(b) Eligible Recipients.--Eligible recipients are law enforcement 
agencies of States.
(c) Permitted Uses.--The recipient of a grant under this section 
may use such grant for any of the following uses:
(1) Acquisition of approved counter-UAS systems.
(2) Fees for training approved personnel.
(3) Any other appropriate activity, including 
administrative activities, as determined by the Administrator.
(d) Period of Performance.--The Administrator shall make funds 
provided under this section available for use by a recipient of a grant 
for a period of not less than 24 months.

SEC. 7. REVIEW AND REPORT ON UAS ACTIVITY.

(a) Review.--The Inspector General of the Department of Defense 
shall conduct a review of potential foreign adversary connected UAS 
activity over critical military installations, vessels, aircraft, and 
the homeland, and other matters.
(b) Report.--Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Inspector General shall submit to the relevant committees 
a report on--
(1) UAS activity over military installations in the United 
States and abroad;
(2) UAS activity in close proximity to sensitive national 
security installations;
(3) instances of UAS activity in the vicinity of United 
States military and law enforcement vessels and aircraft;
(4) instances of the executive branch not sharing UAS 
information with Congress when requested;
(5) the process for deploying counter-UAS systems to assist 
State and local law enforcement;
(6) instances where the Department of Defense deployed 
counter-UAS systems to assist State and local law enforcement; 
and
(7) an analysis of near-peer actors who possess the 
capabilities to conduct such activities.
(c) Definition of Relevant Committee.--In this section, the term 
``relevant committees'' means--
(1) the Committees on Armed Services of the House of 
Representatives and the Senate;
(2) the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and 
Government Affairs of the Senate;
(3) the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of 
the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate;
(4) the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on the Judiciary of the 
Senate;
(5) the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the 
House of Representatives and the Select Committee on 
Intelligence of the Senate;
(6) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the 
Senate; and
(7) the Committee on Oversight and Accountability of the 
House of Representatives.
(d) Form.--The report required under subsection (b) shall be 
submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified annex.
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