A Democratic bill with 1 Republican cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "Stopping Theft and Aerospace Reconnaissance Act" or "STAR Act" amends title 51 of the United States Code to protect specific facilities and assets. It grants the NASA Administrator authority to take various actions to mitigate threats posed by unmanned aircraft or unmanned aircraft systems to covered facilities. Additionally, it provides similar authority to covered entities involved in space launch, reentry, testing, or manufacturing activities to protect their property. These actions include detecting, tracking, disrupting control, or even destroying unmanned aircraft. The bill also establishes rules for signage, forfeiture of seized aircraft, and required reporting to law enforcement and other entities.
Yes· 3 of 4
- Scored +6
Would business owners be better off under this?
The bill empowers space launch and manufacturing entities to protect their property and assets from drone threats.
- Scored +5
Does this make it easier to run a small business?
The bill allows space-related businesses to protect their property from unmanned aircraft threats.
- Scored +4
Does this better protect the country from computer attacks?
The bill provides authority to disrupt control of unmanned aircraft by intercepting electronic communications.
The opposite
- Scored -3
Does this protect people from being watched or searched?
The bill permits monitoring and intercepting communications of unmanned aircraft without prior consent.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Safety and Security for NASA Facilities: The Administrator can take necessary actions to mitigate threats posed by unmanned aircraft systems to the safety or security of covered facilities (Section 2, Section 20118(a)).
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Protection of Space Launch Property: Entities licensed for launch, reentry, testing, or manufacturing activities are authorized to take actions to protect their property from threats posed by unmanned aircraft (Section 2, Section 50925(a)).
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Coordinated Policy Development: The Administrator must work with several high-level offices, including the Attorney General and the Secretary of Defense, to develop uniform policy regarding these protective actions (Section 2, Section 20118(e)).
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Local Law Enforcement Involvement: The Administrator is required to consult with local law enforcement every year to determine the most effective and least hazardous ways to take protective actions (Section 2, Section 20118(f)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Loss of Property Without Consent: An unmanned aircraft can be detected, tracked, disrupted, seized, or even destroyed using reasonable force without the operator's prior consent (Section 2, Section 20118(b); Section 2, Section 50925(b)).
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Forfeiture of Equipment: Any unmanned aircraft or system seized by the Administrator is subject to forfeiture to the United States (Section 2, Section 20118(c)). For those seized by a covered entity, the aircraft is subject to forfeiture to the local law enforcement agency (Section 2, Section 50925(c)).
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Liability for Damages: If an action is taken to mitigate a threat, the operator of the unmanned aircraft system is held liable for any damages caused by that action (Section 2, Section 20118(g); Section 2, Section 50925(f)).
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Lack of Immunity for Officials: Unlike some other legal standards, the Administrator and their employees are not entitled to absolute or qualified immunity as a defense to liability under this section (Section 2, Section 20118(g)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — The bill empowers space launch and manufacturing entities to protect their property and assets from drone threats.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The bill allows space-related businesses to protect their property from unmanned aircraft threats.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this better protect the country from computer attacks? — The bill provides authority to disrupt control of unmanned aircraft by intercepting electronic communications.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires the NASA Administrator to submit annual reports to specified Congressional committees regarding protective actions taken. Does this protect people from being watched or searched? — The bill permits monitoring and intercepting communications of unmanned aircraft without prior consent.
- 4/22/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
Neal DunnRepublican · Florida