H.R. 6618Passed one chamberJobs & the economy
Bill orders FAA study on drones disrupting wildfire aircraft operations
Data as of July 11, 2026
The bill requires an FAA-led study on how private drones disrupt wildfire aircraft, with a report due to Congress in 18 months.45-second read · 4 questions answered below
Decoded
What does this do?
HR 6618 directs the FAA, with the Interior Department and Forest Service, to study how private drones flying into wildfire flight-restriction zones disrupt firefighting aircraft. It requires review of five years of federal land data, examining effects on fire suppression time, aircraft delays, and government costs, plus possible solutions like drone detection, disabling, netting, or public education. A report to Congress is due within 18 months.
Who does it affect?
The bill directly affects the FAA, Interior Department, Forest Service, and firefighting agencies operating aircraft over public lands. Drone hobbyists and wildfire-area communities could be indirectly affected if future legislation results.
Why does it matter?
The study could inform future rules restricting drone use near wildfires, though this bill itself creates no new regulations or penalties. It formalizes data collection on a problem currently handled case by case.
Where does it stand?
- Introduced
- House committee
- House vote
- Senate — You are here
- President's desk
Right now: it passed the House and now goes to the Senate. If the Senate changes it, it goes back to the House before reaching the President.
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Official title
Wildfire Aerial Response Safety Act
- Introduced:
- December 11, 2025
- Latest action:
- March 25, 2026
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Read the official bill on Congress.govMake the call
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