What does Preamble of HR 5061 do?

This bill is formally titled 'To reauthorize and reform counter-unmanned aircraft system authorities, to improve transparency, security, safety, and accountability related to such authorities, and for other purposes.'

What does SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. of HR 5061 do?

This Act is formally titled the "Counter-UAS Authority Security, Safety, and Reauthorization Act".

What does Protection of certain facilities and assets from unmanned of HR 5061 do?

This section addresses the protection of certain facilities and assets from unmanned aircraft systems.

What does Additional limited authority for detection, identification, of HR 5061 do?

This section concerns additional limited authority for detection, identification, monitoring, and tracking.

What does DEFINITIONS. of HR 5061 do?

This section defines terms used within the Act. Terms from 49 U.S.C. section 44801 are applied unless otherwise specified. “Appropriate committees of Congress” are specifically defined as committees from the House and Senate with jurisdiction over homeland security, judiciary, transportation, and commerce. A “covered airport” includes large and medium hub airports qualifying as large hubs after January 1, 2025, and airports with significant cargo landed weight. “Covered entity” includes the owner of a covered site and, for covered events, the organizing entity or security entity. A “covered event” involves large public gatherings, events with flight restrictions, or activities related to counter-UAS systems. “Covered site” includes facilities related to critical infrastructure, oil refineries, amusement parks, and state prisons.

What does PROTECTION OF CERTAIN FACILITIES AND ASSETS FROM UNMANNED of HR 5061 do?

This section amends Section 210G of the Homeland Security Act of 2002. It establishes coordination requirements between the Secretary, the Attorney General, and the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) before exercising authority related to unmanned aircraft systems. The FAA must determine if actions would adversely impact aviation safety before authorization. It mandates research, testing, training, and evaluation of equipment and technology related to counter-UAS actions. It requires the Secretary to maintain a list of approved counter-UAS detection and mitigation systems, including descriptions, functions, and conditions of use. The Administrator must determine that systems meet performance requirements and do not negatively impact aviation safety or airspace use. The Secretary must consult with the Federal Communications Commission regarding potential impacts on civilian telecommunications. The Secretary is prohibited from including counter-UAS systems manufactured by certain foreign enterprises on the approved list. It requires an annual report to Congress detailing activities and mitigation efforts related to counter-UAS actions. The Attorney General may provide training relating to actions described in subsection (b)(1).

What does FAA COUNTER-UAS ACTIVITIES. of HR 5061 do?

This section amends Section 44810 of title 49, United States Code, to establish authority for counter-UAS activities. The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) may take actions to detect or mitigate credible threats posed by unmanned aircraft or unmanned aircraft systems to the national airspace system. Authorized actions include detecting, identifying, monitoring, and tracking unmanned aircraft systems, contacting operators, seizing or confiscating unmanned aircraft, and disrupting or destroying unmanned aircraft. Section 46502 of title 49, and certain sections of title 18, do not apply to activities authorized by the Administrator under this section. The Administrator must coordinate with the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Attorney General and establish an Office of Counter-UAS Activities within the FAA. The Administrator must establish minimum performance requirements for counter-UAS detection and mitigation systems within 270 days of the Act's enactment. This section sunsets on October 1, 2030.

What does ADDITIONAL LIMITED AUTHORITY FOR DETECTION, IDENTIFICATION, of HR 5061 do?

This section outlines a process for authorizing covered entities to acquire, deploy, and operate approved counter-UAS detection systems. The Secretary of Homeland Security, in coordination with the FAA Administrator and Attorney General, establishes an application process for these systems. Applications must demonstrate a justifiable need, a deployment plan approved by the coordinating agencies, a written agreement with law enforcement, and completion of required training. The Secretary may waive the law enforcement agreement requirement if the covered entity demonstrates sufficient expertise. Applications are approved or rejected within 45 days (or 90 days if a waiver is requested). Upon approval, the Secretary enters into an agreement specifying system operation details and conditions to ensure public safety. The Secretary can revoke authorization for non-compliance with agreements, training, privacy protections, or safe operation. The authorities granted by this section terminate on October 1, 2030. The FAA Administrator can suspend the authority if it threatens the safety or efficiency of the national airspace system.

What does COUNTER-UAS MITIGATION LAW ENFORCEMENT PILOT PROGRAM. of HR 5061 do?

This section establishes a pilot program to assess the efficacy of approved counter-UAS mitigation systems at covered sites and events. The Secretary of Homeland Security, in coordination with the Attorney General and the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, will administer the program. State and covered local law enforcement agencies must apply to authorize the acquisition, deployment, and operation of counter-UAS mitigation systems. Applications require a justifiable need, a deployment plan, a written agreement with a covered entity, training proof, airspace restriction proof, and an endorsement from the chief executive of the State. Upon approval, the Secretary enters into an agreement specifying operational terms, conditions, and reporting requirements. Until 270 days after initial deployment, the Secretary must expressly approve each mitigation of an unmanned aircraft system. The Secretary can revoke authorization if a covered entity fails to comply with agreements, training, or privacy protections. The authority under this section sunsets on October 1, 2030, unless extended. A report assessing the pilot program's results and recommending a permanent regulatory structure will be submitted to Congress within three years of initiation.

What does COUNTER-UAS SYSTEM PLANNING AND DEPLOYMENT AT AIRPORTS. of HR 5061 do?

This section establishes requirements for counter-UAS (unmanned aircraft system) system planning and deployment at airports. The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), in coordination with the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Attorney General, must develop a plan for operations at covered airports within one year of enactment. The plan must consider roles and responsibilities, operational procedures, performance requirements, funding, training, and data sharing related to counter-UAS systems. The FAA, in coordination with the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Attorney General, and other agencies, will deploy approved counter-UAS detection systems at large hub, cargo, and medium hub airports within specified timeframes. A pilot program will be established to assess the feasibility of deploying counter-UAS mitigation systems at up to 5 covered airports. Prior to deployment, site-specific spectrum and suitability assessments must be conducted, and site-specific plans developed in coordination with relevant stakeholders. Federal agencies cannot require airport operators to procure or operate counter-UAS systems on their behalf.

Back to bills

Counter-UAS Authority Security, Safety, and Reauthorization Act — HR. 5061

Last updated: 9/3/2025 · Introduced: 8/29/2025

Author: Andrew Garbarino (R-NY)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill reauthorizes and reforms authorities related to countering unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), aiming to improve security, safety, and accountability.
It establishes coordination requirements between the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Justice, and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) before taking action against UAS threats.
The FAA is granted authority to detect, identify, monitor, and mitigate credible threats posed by UAS to the national airspace system, with certain legal restrictions not applying.
It creates a process for covered entities (like amusement parks and critical infrastructure facilities) to apply for authorization to acquire and operate approved counter-UAS detection systems, subject to oversight and potential revocation.
The bill mandates annual reporting to Congress on counter-UAS activities, including details on violations, detection efforts, and privacy protections, while also modernizing safety statements for small unmanned aircraft systems.

119th Congressin committeeOfficial page

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Other Sections

Includes provisions on preamble, short title; table of contents., and 12 more.

14 sections

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