What does Preamble of HR 7525 do?

This bill authorizes counter-unmanned aircraft system authorities for State, local, territorial, and Tribal law enforcement. The bill is referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee on the Judiciary.

What does SHORT TITLE. of HR 7525 do?

This bill is formally titled the Counter Drone State and Local Defender Act.

What does FAA COUNTER-UAS ACTIVITIES. of HR 7525 do?

This section amends title 49 of the United States Code by adding section 44815, concerning state, local, and tribal law enforcement counter drone programs. The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is authorized to take actions to detect or mitigate credible threats posed by unmanned aircraft systems to the national airspace system. Authorized actions include detecting, identifying, monitoring, and tracking unmanned aircraft, contacting operators, seizing or confiscating unmanned aircraft, and disrupting or destroying them in coordination with law enforcement agencies. Section 46502 of title 49 and sections 32, 1030, and 1367 and chapters 119 and 206 of title 18 do not apply to activities authorized by the Administrator under this section. The Administrator must ensure that any interception of communications related to unmanned aircraft systems is consistent with the First and Fourth Amendments and applicable federal law. Records of intercepted communications must be disposed of promptly unless specific conditions are met, such as investigation or prosecution of a violation of law.

What does PILOT PROGRAMS AND PERMANENT AUTHORIZATION FOR STATE, LOCAL, of HR 7525 do?

This section establishes pilot programs to assess counter-UAS mitigation systems at covered facilities and assets. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator will designate up to 1,000 law enforcement agencies in the first year and up to 3,000 in subsequent years for participation in the pilot program. Designated agencies may use approved counter-UAS mitigation systems to detect, identify, monitor, track, or mitigate credible threats to covered facilities or assets. The Administrator shall promulgate policies, procedures, protocols, and regulations to permanently authorize State, local, Tribal, and territorial law enforcement agencies to acquire, deploy, and operate approved counter-UAS mitigation systems upon termination of the pilot program. Law enforcement agencies participating in the pilot program must comply with privacy protections and training criteria. Funding for the pilot program may be obtained from existing law enforcement grant programs. After the pilot program's termination, agencies properly registered with the Administrator may permanently use counter-UAS mitigation systems.

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Counter Drone State and Local Defender Act — HR. 7525

Last updated: 2/12/2026 · Introduced: 2/12/2026

Author: Eric Burlison (R-MO)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill authorizes state, local, tribal, and territorial law enforcement to use counter-unmanned aircraft system (UAS) authorities to detect and mitigate credible threats to the national airspace system.
It establishes pilot programs allowing up to 4,000 law enforcement agencies to test counter-UAS mitigation systems at critical facilities, with permanent authorization for registered agencies to use these systems after the pilot program concludes.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is authorized to take actions to detect or mitigate UAS threats, including seizing or destroying unmanned aircraft, while ensuring compliance with constitutional rights and applicable federal law.

119th Congressin committeeOfficial page

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Other Sections

Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 2 more.

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