H.R. 3598 — Deescalation Drone Pilot Program Act of 2025

This section reaffirms the prohibition on arming unmanned aircraft with dangerous weapons (under FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 §363, 49 U.S.C. 44802 note). It directs the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator, not later than 2 months after enactment, to establish a pilot program using unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) test ranges to review nonlethal deescalation unmanned aircraft (i.e., UAS equipped only with nonlethal weapons such as those defined in 18 U.S.C. 930(g)(2), plus devices like sound emitters, cameras, and lights) for use by Federal, State, local, or Tribal law enforcement responding to active shooter events (i.e., incidents involving unlawful killing or attempted killing with explosives or firearms posing imminent threat to life). The pilot program must (1) develop processes to review and validate nonlethal weapons for UAS; (2) address training, operational, and safety protocols; and (3) assess efficacy in indoor events and safety benefits of increased engagement distance for officers. The Administrator must collaborate with law enforcement via partnerships and interagency agreements (e.g., with Departments of Justice and Homeland Security), consult stakeholders, ensure U.S.-manufactured UAS, and submit a report to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure not later than 3 months after program conclusion—including a proposed permission process for law enforcement applicants. Not later than 60 days after that report, the Administrator must initiate rulemaking to establish FAA approval processes for law enforcement to operate such UAS during active shooter events and for manufacturers to test, validate, and demonstrate them.