A Democratic bill with 2 Republican cosponsors · See all 3 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
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 SAFER SKIES Act expands the authority to use counter-unmanned aircraft system technologies to include State, local, Tribal, and territorial law enforcement and correctional agencies. These agencies may take actions to mitigate credible threats to people, critical infrastructure, large-scale public gatherings, and correctional facilities. To exercise this authority, officers must complete specific training and certification coordinated by the Attorney General and the Secretary of Homeland Security. The bill also implements stricter penalties for repeat violations of national defense airspace and the use of drones to facilitate crimes or introduce contraband into prisons. Additionally, it allows for the use of grant funds to purchase and operate both unmanned aircraft and counter-UAS systems.
Yes
- Scored +2
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill requires the Attorney General and Secretary of Homeland Security to submit periodic unclassified reports to Congress.
The opposite
- Scored -5
Does this shorten or soften prison sentences?
The bill increases sentencing ranges and base offense levels for crimes involving unmanned aircraft.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Enhanced Public Safety and Security: Law enforcement and correctional agencies gain the authority to mitigate credible threats posed by unmanned aircraft to people, facilities, assets, large-scale public gatherings, and critical infrastructure (Section 2).
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Support for Law Enforcement Technology: Grant funds can be used by programs to purchase and operate counter-UAS systems to benefit public safety (Section 3).
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Stricter Penalties for Criminal Activity: The bill increases penalties for those who repeat offenses in national defense airspace, use drones to facilitate felonies, or use drones to introduce contraband into prisons (Section 5).
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Increased Sentencing for Drone-Related Offenses: The United States Sentencing Commission is directed to increase sentencing ranges for all offenses involving the use of an unmanned aircraft (Section 5).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Risk of Unauthorized Actions: Entities or individuals who engage in counter-UAS mitigation actions without the required Federal coordination face civil fines of up to $100,000 or suspension of their authority (Section 5).
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Increased Prison Sentences: Individuals convicted of crimes involving an unmanned aircraft may face increased base offense levels of at least 4 to 6 levels (Section 5).
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Potential for Increased Imprisonment for Felonies: If an unmanned aircraft is used in relation to a felony, the maximum imprisonment for that offense may be doubled or increased by 5 years (Section 5).
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.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this shorten or soften prison sentences? — The bill increases sentencing ranges and base offense levels for crimes involving unmanned aircraft.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires the Attorney General and Secretary of Homeland Security to submit periodic unclassified reports to Congress.
- 12/15/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Catherine Cortez MastoDemocrat · Nevada
Chuck GrassleyRepublican · Iowa
Ron JohnsonRepublican · Wisconsin