Seaport Security Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- H.R. 9229
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Crime and Law Enforcement
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-09: 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.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-01T15:42:29Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose The legislation aims to enhance security at U.S. seaports by restricting the operation of unmanned aircraft systems (commonly known as drones) in designated airspace above them, addressing gaps in current federal law that leave these facilities vulnerable to potential threats from drone technology.
Key Provisions
- Findings: The bill notes the dual-use nature of drone technology for commerce and security risks, including criminal activities like smuggling; it highlights that U.S. seaports handle billions of tons of cargo and millions of passengers annually, yet lack adequate protections against drone attacks.
- Definitions: A "seaport" is defined as facilities handling at least one million tons of cargo annually or processing multi-day cruise passengers; "covered airspace" includes the area from the surface up to 1,000 feet above ground level, plus any additional areas designated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator.
- Prohibitions: Unauthorized drone operations are banned in covered airspace; separate rules prohibit operations that interfere with seaport security, operations, communications, or navigation systems.
- Exceptions: Allowed operations include those by federal agencies (such as the Department of Homeland Security or Department of Defense), state/local law enforcement with prior FAA and Coast Guard notification, seaport operators for safety purposes with notice, FAA waivers, or emergency responses.
- Enforcement and Penalties: The FAA and seaports may detect, mitigate, seize, or disable unauthorized drones; civil penalties reach up to $25,000 per violation with possible seizure; willful violations carry criminal penalties of fines and up to 2 years imprisonment (or up to 10 years if intended to support surveillance, damage, or criminal/terrorist activity).
- Implementation: The FAA must issue regulations within 180 days, including airspace designations and notification procedures.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Amends Chapter 2 of Title 18, United States Code, by adding a new Section 40B on unauthorized drone operations over seaports.
- Updates definitions in Section 31(b) to include "unmanned aircraft" and "unmanned aircraft system," referencing related statutes.
- Modifies Section 40A(c) by removing one paragraph and renumbering the others.
- Introduces new criminal and civil penalties specifically tailored to seaport drone violations, expanding beyond prior general aviation restrictions.
Potential Impacts
- On government agencies: Increases responsibilities for the FAA (rulemaking and notifications) and the Coast Guard (coordination), while empowering the Department of Homeland Security and Department of Defense with operational flexibility.
- On citizens and businesses: Limits recreational or commercial drone use near major seaports, potentially affecting local operators, while improving safety for cargo handling and cruise operations.
- On international relations: May indirectly support maritime trade security by protecting facilities that process global cargo, without direct foreign policy provisions.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Seaport operators and related industries (cargo and cruise shipping).
- Federal agencies including the FAA, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Defense, and Coast Guard.
- State and local law enforcement.
- Drone operators and users.
- Passengers and businesses reliant on seaport activities.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Establishes new federal authority to restrict airspace use for security reasons, potentially raising questions about property rights or First Amendment considerations in enforcement, though the bill focuses on operational safety.
- Expands federal criminal jurisdiction into areas previously covered only by general aviation rules, with tiered penalties based on intent.
- Requires interagency coordination, which could influence future policy on unmanned systems in critical infrastructure.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (2)
Rep. Haridopolos, Mike [R-FL-8], Rep. Ezell, Mike [R-MS-4]
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-09: 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.
- 2026-06-09: 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.
- 2026-06-09: Introduced in House
- 2026-06-09: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Seaport Security Act of 2026 — issued 2026-06-09 — PDF (6 pages)