Private infrastructure owners gain counter-drone authority
In committeeS. 4380Latest action
Sponsor: Tom Cotton · Senator · AR
AIDecoded by AI · checked against the recordRead the official text
Official title: Critical Infrastructure Airspace Defense Act
119th Congress
Topics: Jobs & the economy
Introduced:
Read the official bill on Congress.govIn plain words
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Private owners of nuclear plants and power facilities could legally use drone-detection and counter-drone tools to protect their sites until 2031.
50-second read · 5 questions answered below
What does this do?
This bill lets private owners and operators of certain critical facilities — like nuclear power plants, electrical substations, and power grid control centers — legally detect and neutralize threatening drones. Right now, only government agencies and some law enforcement can do this. The new authority would expire at the end of September 2031.
Who does it affect?
Qualifying private facility owners and their designated security staff or contractors would gain this authority, as long as they complete a government-approved training and certification program. People acting under this law are protected from civil or criminal liability unless they are grossly negligent or acting with willful misconduct.
Why does it matter?
Without this bill, private operators of these facilities have no legal way to act against threatening drones on their own. Drones seized under this authority can be forfeited under applicable law.
What does it cost, and who pays?
- Grant program for counter-drone equipment
- Up to $250M authorized
- ~5-year timeframe
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Where does it stand?
- IntroducedApr 22, 2026
- Senate committeeYou are here · Apr 22, 2026
- Senate vote
- House
- The president's desk
Right now: a Senate committee is reviewing it. If the House changes it, it goes back to the Senate before reaching the president.
Latest action: — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.