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This bill would set up a federal training program for people who work with systems used to detect and stop drones, also called unmanned aircraft systems. It directs the Attorney General, working with the Secretary of Homeland Security, to create or designate training centers for this purpose. It also requires Homeland Security, the Justice Department, and the FAA to create rules for training and certification so that operators of these systems are properly qualified. The goal is to improve safety while making sure these drone-countering tools do not interfere with aviation or the use of airspace.
- The Attorney General and Homeland Security Secretary could provide training through the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers or similar facilities.
- The bill would create standards for both first-time training and repeat training or certification for people who operate counter-drone detection and mitigation systems.
- Those standards must take aviation safety into account, including effects on aircraft, civil aviation, aerospace operations, and airspace use.
- Before these systems are deployed, the bill requires interagency coordination and sets rules for how often operators must renew their training or certification.
Official Summaries
National Training Center for Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems Act
This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) to establish training and qualification standards for counter-unmanned aircraft systems, commonly referred to as counter-drone systems.
Specifically, DHS and DOJ, in coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration, must establish standards for initial and recurrent training programs or certifications for individuals seeking to operate counter-drone detection and mitigation systems, equipment, or technology.
Further, DOJ, in coordination with DHS's Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers, may provide training related to counter-drone systems, including detecting, identifying, monitoring, tracking, disrupting, and seizing control of drones. DOJ may establish or designate one or more facilities or training centers to provide such training related to counter-drone systems.
Current Full Text
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 709 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 709
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to require the Attorney
General, in coordination with the Secretary of Homeland Security, to
establish counter-UAS system training and require the Attorney General
and Secretary of Homeland Security, in coordination with the
Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to establish
related standards for initial and recurrent training programs or
certifications for individuals seeking to operate counter-UAS detection
and mitigation systems, equipment, or technology, and for other
purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
January 23, 2025
Mr. Strong introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently
determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such
provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to require the Attorney
General, in coordination with the Secretary of Homeland Security, to
establish counter-UAS system training and require the Attorney General
and Secretary of Homeland Security, in coordination with the
Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to establish
related standards for initial and recurrent training programs or
certifications for individuals seeking to operate counter-UAS detection
and mitigation systems, equipment, or technology, and for other
purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``National Training Center for
Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems Act''.
SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF COUNTER-UAS SYSTEM TRAINING.
(a) In General.--Subtitle A of title II of the Homeland Security
Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 121 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the
following new sections:
``SEC. 210H. COUNTER-UAS SYSTEM TRAINING.
``The Attorney General, in coordination with the Secretary (acting
through the Director of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers),
may--
``(1) provide training relating to measures to take the
actions described in subsection (b)(1) of section 210G; and
``(2) establish or designate one or more facilities or
training centers for the purpose described in paragraph (1).
``SEC. 210I. COUNTER-UAS DETECTION AND MITIGATION SYSTEM OPERATOR
QUALIFICATION AND TRAINING CRITERIA.
``(a) In General.--The Secretary of Homeland Security and Attorney
General, in coordination with the Administrator of the Federal Aviation
Administration, shall establish standards for initial and recurrent
training programs or certifications for individuals seeking to operate
counter-UAS detection and mitigation systems, equipment, or technology.
``(b) Implementation.--To carry out subsection (a), the Secretary
of Homeland Security and the Attorney General shall, at a minimum--
``(1) consider the potential impacts of the systems,
equipment, and technology referred to in such subsection on
aviation safety, civil aviation and aerospace operations,
aircraft airworthiness, or the civilian use of airspace, and
appropriate actions to maintain aviation safety, as determined
by the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration;
and
``(2) establish--
``(A) interagency coordination requirements prior
to deployment of such systems, equipment, and
technology; and
``(B) the frequency at which an individual
authorized to operate such systems, equipment, or
technology shall complete and renew such training or
certification.
``(c) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) UAS.--The term `UAS' means an unmanned aircraft
system.
``(2) Unmanned aircraft.--The term `unmanned aircraft' has
the meaning given such term in section 44801, of title 49,
United States Code.
``(3) Unmanned aircraft system.--The term `unmanned
aircraft system' has the meaning given such term in section
44801, of title 49, United States Code.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents in section 1(b) of
the Homeland Security Act of 2002 is amended by inserting after the
item relating to section 210G the following new item:
``Sec. 210H. Counter-UAS system training.
``Sec. 210I. Counter-UAS detection and mitigation system operator
qualification and training criteria.''.
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