H.R. 7525 — Counter Drone State and Local Defender Act

This section establishes authority for the FAA Administrator to detect or mitigate credible threats from unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) to the national airspace system or to test counter-UAS technologies, including in conjunction with state, local, territorial, or tribal law enforcement. Authorized actions include (1) detecting, identifying, monitoring, and tracking UAS without operator consent, including by intercepting communications used to control the UAS; (2) warning operators; (3) seizing, exercising control of, or confiscating UAS; and (4) disrupting, disabling, damaging, or destroying UAS in coordination with law enforcement, including by intercepting control communications. The section exempts such activities from aircraft piracy laws (49 U.S.C. §46502), destruction of aircraft and related crimes (18 U.S.C. §§32, 1367), computer fraud laws (18 U.S.C. §1030), and wiretap and pen register laws (18 U.S.C. chs. 119, 206), while requiring implementation consistent with the First and Fourth Amendments, interception only to the extent necessary, prompt disposal of communications records (unless needed for law enforcement, investigations, or as required by law), and sharing of threat information (excluding communications) with law enforcement.

This section establishes a three-year pilot program under which the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) may designate up to 4,000 State, local, Tribal, and territorial law enforcement agencies (not more than 1,000 beginning 60 days after enactment and 3,000 the subsequent year) to deploy FAA-approved counter-unmanned aircraft system (counter-UAS) mitigation systems—i.e., systems or devices capable of disabling, disrupting, or seizing control of UAS—to detect, monitor, track, or mitigate credible UAS threats to covered facilities or assets, notwithstanding specified FAA and criminal statutes (49 U.S.C. 46502; 18 U.S.C. §§32, 1030, 1367, chs. 119, 206). It further directs the FAA, upon pilot termination, to promulgate regulations and policies permanently authorizing such agencies to use approved counter-UAS systems, incorporating findings from a separate pilot program under subsection (c)(1); requires FAA consultation with the FCC and NTIA to approve equipment and training criteria; mandates agency privacy policies (per new 49 U.S.C. 44815(b)(2)), personnel training, and compliance with FAA guidance; requires semiannual notifications to specified congressional committees on usage and known privacy or civil liberties complaints; and permits designated agencies to use existing law enforcement grant funds for counter-UAS acquisition, deployment, training, and operation.