H.R. 390 — ACERO Act

This section directs the NASA Administrator to leverage agency-developed tools and technologies to conduct research and development (R&D) activities under the Advanced Capabilities for Emergency Response Operations (ACERO) project, or successor projects, to improve aerial responses to wildfires. Such R&D may include (1) advanced aircraft technologies and airspace management for deconfliction and coordination of aerial assets; (2) information sharing and real-time data exchange for wildfire response teams; (3) an interoperable platform for situational awareness of aerial assets; and (4) a multi-agency concept of operations involving federal, state, and local governments. In carrying out these activities, the Administrator may coordinate with federal, state, and local agencies, regional organizations, commercial partners, and academic institutions and must consult other federal agency heads to avoid duplication. The section prohibits NASA from procuring unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) manufactured or assembled by a covered foreign entity (as defined in section 1822 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024), unless waived on a case-by-case basis when determined to be in the national interest and necessary solely for improving wildfire aerial responses, with notification to specified congressional committees within 30 days. Finally, the section requires annual reports to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology and the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation through December 31, 2030, describing R&D activities, collaboration efforts, topics needing further research, continuing efforts, and other relevant information.