DEFENSE Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 3207
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Transportation and Public Works
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-05-06: Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-16T13:15:53Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
The DEFENSE Act (H.R. 3207) aims to enhance security at specific public events by authorizing federal officials to grant state or local law enforcement officers limited powers to counter drone threats. This focuses on protecting areas under temporary flight restrictions (TFRs), such as stadiums or large gatherings, from unauthorized unmanned aircraft systems (drones).
Key Provisions
- Deputization Authority: The Secretary of Homeland Security or the Attorney General can deputize state or local law enforcement officers to use drone detection, identification, monitoring, or tracking powers, but only for protecting:
- Sites with existing TFRs under federal law (e.g., related to the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2004).
- Locations of large public gatherings as defined in aviation regulations (49 U.S.C. § 44812(c)).
- Other public gatherings protected by TFRs at the discretion of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator.
- Training Requirement: Only officers who complete specified training—developed by Homeland Security, the Attorney General, the Department of Transportation, and the FAA—can be deputized.
- Oversight Mechanisms: Federal agencies (Homeland Security, Justice, Transportation, and FAA) must oversee the use of these powers to ensure proper application.
- Equipment Restrictions: Allowed drone countermeasures are limited to technologies on an approved list maintained by the Department of Homeland Security, in coordination with the Departments of Justice and Transportation, the FAA, the Federal Communications Commission, and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill amends Section 210G of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. § 124n) by adding a new subsection (m) titled "Stadium Security." Previously, drone countermeasure authorities under subsection (a) were primarily federal responsibilities. The change extends these powers to trained state and local officers for event-specific protection, introducing deputization, training, oversight, and equipment approval processes not explicitly detailed before for local use.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Increases coordination among federal entities (e.g., Homeland Security, FAA) for training, oversight, and equipment lists, potentially streamlining drone threat responses but adding administrative burdens.
- On Citizens: Improves safety at public events like sports games or rallies by enabling quicker local responses to drone risks, though it could raise privacy concerns if monitoring extends beyond threats.
- On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, as the bill focuses on domestic aviation security; however, it may indirectly support U.S. standards for drone regulations in international aviation contexts.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal Agencies: Department of Homeland Security, Department of Justice (Attorney General), Department of Transportation, and FAA—responsible for deputization, training, oversight, and equipment approvals.
- State and Local Law Enforcement: Gain temporary federal powers but must undergo training and operate under federal oversight.
- Event Organizers and Venues: Benefit from enhanced security at stadiums, large gatherings, or TFR-protected sites (e.g., sports leagues, concert promoters).
- The Public: Attendees at protected events may experience safer environments, while drone operators (hobbyists or commercial users) face stricter enforcement near these areas.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal Implications: Expands federal drone countermeasure authority (originally for protecting sensitive facilities) to local officers for public events, ensuring compliance with aviation laws (e.g., 49 U.S.C. § 40103 on airspace sovereignty). The training and oversight requirements help mitigate risks of overreach or misuse of surveillance tools.
- Constitutional Implications: Balances federal preemption in aviation regulation with state/local involvement, potentially aligning with the Tenth Amendment by deputizing rather than mandating local action. Privacy rights under the Fourth Amendment could be tested if drone monitoring captures non-threat data, though limits to approved equipment aim to address this.
- Political Implications: Bipartisan support (introduced by members from both parties) reflects a consensus on public safety amid rising drone threats, but it may spark debates on federal-local power sharing and the scope of TFRs at discretionary events.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Steube, W. Gregory [R-FL-17]
Cosponsors (10)
Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1], Rep. Yakym, Rudy [R-IN-2], Rep. Correa, J. Luis [D-CA-46], Rep. Mills, Cory [R-FL-7], Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2], Rep. Hamadeh, Abraham J. [R-AZ-8], Rep. McCormick, Richard [R-GA-7], Rep. Crane, Elijah [R-AZ-2], Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7], Rep. Langworthy, Nicholas A. [R-NY-23]
Recent Actions
- 2025-05-06: Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.
- 2025-05-06: 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.
- 2025-05-06: 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.
- 2025-05-06: Introduced in House
- 2025-05-06: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Disabling Enemy Flight Entry and Neutralizing Suspect Equipment Act — issued 2025-05-06 — PDF (3 pages)