Drone Espionage Act
- Bill Number
- S. 1809
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Crime and Law Enforcement
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-02-09: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 316.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-13T15:35:24Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose The legislation aims to update federal criminal law to explicitly ban the taking or sending of video recordings involving defense-related information, addressing gaps in rules originally written for older technologies like photographs.
Key Provisions
- The bill amends Section 793 of Title 18 of the United States Code.
- It inserts the word "video" after each mention of "photographic negative" in the existing text.
- This change applies to rules that already prohibit gathering, transmitting, or losing certain defense information.
- The short title of the act is the "Drone Espionage Act."
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Current law covers items such as photographs, sketches, maps, and models of defense information.
- The amendment adds video recordings to this list, making it a crime to create or transmit such videos without authorization.
- No other sections of the law are altered.
Potential Impacts
- Government agencies, such as the Department of Defense and intelligence services, may gain stronger tools to prosecute unauthorized filming near sensitive sites.
- Citizens could face new restrictions when using devices like drones or cameras near military installations or other protected areas.
- International relations might see indirect effects if the law is used in cases involving foreign actors attempting to gather information.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal law enforcement and national security agencies responsible for protecting defense information.
- Individuals and companies using video equipment, including drone operators, near restricted locations.
- Media organizations and journalists who document military or defense activities.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- The change could intersect with First Amendment protections for speech and press by limiting certain types of recording.
- It may lead to debates over the balance between national security needs and individual rights to document public or semi-public spaces.
- As a targeted update to espionage-related rules, it reflects growing concerns about modern surveillance tools without introducing broader new penalties.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (13)
Sen. Cotton, Tom [R-AR], Sen. Lee, Mike [R-UT], Sen. Budd, Ted [R-NC], Sen. Moreno, Bernie [R-OH], Sen. Tillis, Thomas [R-NC], Sen. Slotkin, Elissa [D-MI], Sen. Wicker, Roger F. [R-MS], Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX], Sen. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN], Sen. Tuberville, Tommy [R-AL], Sen. Mullin, Markwayne [R-OK], Sen. Britt, Katie Boyd [R-AL], Sen. McCormick, David [R-PA]
Recent Actions
- 2026-02-09: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 316.
- 2026-02-09: Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Grassley without amendment. Without written report.
- 2026-02-09: Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Grassley without amendment. Without written report.
- 2026-02-05: Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
- 2025-06-10: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on Border Management, Federal Workforce, and Regulatory Affairs. Hearings held.
- 2025-05-20: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- 2025-05-20: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Drone Espionage Act — issued 2025-05-20 — PDF (2 pages)
- Drone Espionage Act — issued 2026-02-09 — PDF (4 pages)