H.R. 9229

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 9229 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 9229

To protect seaports from unmanned aircraft systems, and for other 
purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

June 9, 2026

Mr. Patronis (for himself and Mr. Haridopolos) introduced the following 
bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in 
addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, 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 protect seaports from unmanned aircraft systems, 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.

This Act may be cited as the ``Seaport Security Act of 2026''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

Congress finds that--
(1) drone technology has the potential to revolutionize 
commerce, military operations, law enforcement, and numerous 
industries throughout the United States;
(2) drone technology also presents a significant potential 
danger to public safety and national security;
(3) drone technology is increasingly being deployed for 
criminal purposes, including drug trafficking, human 
trafficking, smuggling, and illegal reconnaissance;
(4) seaports in the United States are a potential target 
for unmanned aircraft and drones;
(5) a drone attack on a seaport would pose a serious threat 
to the national and economic security of the United States;
(6) there are over 300 seaports in the United States which 
collectively handle 2.6 billion tons of cargo and 26 million 
cruise ship passengers each year; and
(7) current Federal law does not provide sufficient 
protection for seaports from drone attacks.

SEC. 3. RESTRICTION ON UNMANNED AIRCRAFT AT SEAPORTS.

(a) In General.--Chapter 2 of title 18, United States Code, is 
amended--
(1) in section 31(b)--
(A) by striking ``and `special''' and inserting 
```special''';
(B) by inserting ```unmanned aircraft', and 
`unmanned aircraft system''' before ``have the 
meanings''; and
(C) by inserting ``, 44801,'' before ``and 46501'';
(2) in section 40A(c)--
(A) by striking paragraph (1); and
(B) by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) as 
paragraphs (1) and (2), respectively; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 40B. Operation of unauthorized unmanned aircraft over seaports
``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Administrator.--The term `Administrator' means the 
Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration.
``(2) Covered airspace.--The term `covered airspace' 
means--
``(A) the airspace above a seaport extending from 
the surface up to 1,000 feet above ground level; and
``(B) any additional lateral or vertical airspace 
designated by the Administrator, as necessary to 
protect maritime infrastructure at a seaport.
``(3) Multi-day cruise passengers.--The term `multi-day 
cruise passengers' means individuals who embark on a cruise 
itinerary from a seaport lasting more than one calendar day 
requiring overnight accommodations aboard the vessel.
``(4) Seaport.--The term `seaport' means all piers, 
wharves, docks, and similar structures adjacent to any waters 
subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, to which a 
vessel may be secured, including areas of land, water, or land 
and water under and in immediate proximity to such structures, 
buildings on or contiguous to such structures, and the 
equipment and materials on such structures or in such 
buildings, and which handle at least one million tons of 
commercial or military cargo annually or routinely process 
multi-day cruise passengers.
``(b) Prohibited Operations.--Except as authorized under subsection 
(c), no person may operate an unmanned aircraft or unmanned aircraft 
system within covered airspace.
``(c) Authorized Operations.--The prohibition in subsection (b) 
shall not apply to operations--
``(1) conducted by the Department of Homeland Security, the 
Department of Defense, or any other Federal agency under 
statutory authority;
``(2) conducted by State or local law enforcement with 
prior notification to the Federal Aviation Administration and 
the Coast Guard;
``(3) conducted by a seaport, or a contracted entity, for 
operational, safety, or security purposes with notice to the 
Federal Aviation Administration and the Coast Guard;
``(4) authorized under a waiver issued by the 
Administrator; or
``(5) necessary to respond to an emergency involving an 
immediate threat to human life or property, provided that the 
operator notifies the Federal Aviation Administration and the 
Coast Guard as soon as practicable.
``(d) Interference With Port Security.--No person may operate an 
unmanned aircraft or unmanned aircraft system in a manner that 
interferes with, interrupts, or degrades the security, operations, 
communications, or navigational systems of a seaport, regardless of 
altitude.
``(e) Enforcement.--The Federal Aviation Administration and 
seaports are authorized to detect, mitigate, seize, and disable any 
unmanned aircraft operating in covered airspace (other than unmanned 
aircraft operating in accordance with subsection (c)).
``(f) Civil Penalties.--A person who violates this section shall be 
subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $25,000 per violation, and the 
unmanned aircraft involved may be seized or forfeited.
``(g) Criminal Penalties.--A person who willfully violates 
subsection (b) or (d)--
``(1) shall be subject to a fine under this title, 
imprisoned for not more than 2 years, or both; and
``(2) if the violation is committed with the intent to 
surveil, damage, disrupt, or facilitate criminal or terrorist 
activity, shall be subject to a fine under this title, 
imprisoned for not more than 10 years, or both.
``(h) Rulemaking.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall issue regulations to 
implement this section, including designation of covered airspaces and 
appropriate notification procedures.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for chapter 2 of 
title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 
following:

``40B. Operation of unauthorized unmanned aircraft over seaports.''.
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