Secure Our Skies Drone Safety Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- H.R. 6605
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Transportation and Public Works
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-02-02: Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.
- Last Updated
- 2026-02-03T09:05:47Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Secure Our Skies Drone Safety Act of 2025 aims to enhance oversight and security regarding unmanned aircraft systems (UAS, commonly known as drones) by mandating a comprehensive report from the Comptroller General of the United States. This report will examine how federal, state, local, and Tribal agencies use drones and develop systems to counter drone threats, with a focus on improving legal frameworks, domestic production, and operational safety.
Key Provisions
- Short Title: The Act is titled the "Secure Our Skies Drone Safety Act of 2025."
- Required Report: Within one year of enactment, the Comptroller General must complete a study and submit a report to Congress covering:
- Recommendations:
- Changes to legal authorities and policies to better enable agencies to counter drone threats.
- Steps to strengthen U.S. and allied capabilities in manufacturing drones and streamline procurement processes.
- Data and Analysis:
- Number of drones deployed by federal, state, local, and Tribal law enforcement agencies.
- For state, local, and Tribal agencies: Number of drones purchased from entities in adversarial nations (defined by reference to a list in federal regulations, such as countries posing national security risks).
- Extent of domestically produced drones.
- Cost barriers preventing agencies from acquiring U.S.- or non-adversarial drones.
- Frequency and purposes of drone use.
- Training or certification requirements for drone operators.
- Governing authorities, policies, or protocols for drone operations.
- Privacy protections and expectations related to drone use.
- Existing countermeasures against drones, including training or certification for their use.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill does not directly amend existing laws but introduces a new mandate for a government study and report. It could indirectly influence future legislation by providing data-driven recommendations on drone regulations, procurement rules, and counter-drone technologies, potentially leading to updates in areas like federal aviation rules or national security policies.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Federal, state, local, and Tribal entities may face increased scrutiny of their drone programs, including procurement from foreign sources, which could prompt shifts toward domestic suppliers and better training protocols. This might improve threat response capabilities but could require budget adjustments for compliant equipment.
- Citizens: Enhanced privacy protections and operational guidelines could reduce risks of unauthorized surveillance, while safer counter-drone measures might bolster public security against potential drone misuse (e.g., in emergencies or crimes).
- International Relations: By highlighting purchases from adversarial nations and promoting U.S./allied manufacturing, the Act could encourage trade policies favoring domestic or friendly suppliers, potentially straining relations with countries like China (often listed as adversarial) and supporting broader efforts in technology supply chain security.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Law Enforcement and Government Agencies: Federal (e.g., DHS, FBI), state, local, and Tribal entities using or countering drones for operations like surveillance or threat mitigation.
- Congress and Oversight Bodies: The Comptroller General (part of the Government Accountability Office) conducts the study; Congress receives the report to inform policy.
- Industry Players: U.S. drone manufacturers and suppliers, who may benefit from procurement simplifications; foreign vendors from adversarial nations, who could see reduced market access.
- General Public: Individuals concerned with privacy, safety, and the societal use of drones in daily life or emergencies.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The report's focus on authorities, policies, and privacy could highlight gaps in current laws (e.g., under the Federal Aviation Administration or national security statutes), potentially leading to new rules on drone certification, data handling, and countermeasure deployment without infringing on civil liberties.
- Constitutional: Emphasis on privacy expectations ties into Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable searches, ensuring drone use aligns with individual rights while addressing security needs.
- Political: The Act reflects bipartisan concerns over foreign drone dependencies and domestic security, possibly fueling debates on national defense spending, supply chain resilience, and technology export controls amid geopolitical tensions.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (2)
Rep. Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]
Recent Actions
- 2026-02-02: Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.
- 2025-12-10: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- 2025-12-10: Introduced in House
- 2025-12-10: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Secure Our Skies Drone Safety Act of 2025 — issued 2025-12-10 — PDF (3 pages)