I 
118TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION H. R. 10555 
To create mechanisms by which state law enforcement can coordinate with 
the federal government to detect and stop drones involved in unlawful 
activities, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
DECEMBER 20, 2024 
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey (for himself and Mr. VAN DREW) introduced the 
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and 
in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, 
Homeland Security, and Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently 
determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provi-
sions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 
A BILL 
To create mechanisms by which state law enforcement can 
coordinate with the federal government to detect and 
stop drones involved in unlawful activities, and for other 
purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the 
‘‘Law 
Against 
Nefarious 
Drones, 
Enforcement, 
Deconfliction Act’’ or the ‘‘LANDED Act’’. 
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(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents of 
this Act is as follows: 
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. 
Sec. 2. Definitions. 
Sec. 3. Counter-UAS mitigation law enforcement cooperation. 
Sec. 4. Mandatory drone deconfliction reporting. 
Sec. 5. Rapid response. 
Sec. 6. Counter-UAS Security Grant Program. 
Sec. 7. Review and report on UAS activity. 
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. 
(a) APPLICATION OF TERMS.—Unless otherwise spec-
ified, the terms in section 44801 of title 49, United States 
Code, shall apply to this Act. 
(b) IN GENERAL.—In this Act: 
(1) APPROVED COUNTER-UAS DETECTION SYS-
TEM.—The term ‘‘approved counter-UAS detection 
system’’ means a system or device capable of law-
fully and safely disabling disrupting or seizing con-
trol of an unmanned aircraft system. 
(2) UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEM.—The Term 
‘‘unmanned aircraft system’’ means an unmanned 
aircraft and associated elements (including commu-
nications links and components that control the un-
manned aircraft) that are required for the operator 
to operate safely and efficiently in the national air-
space system. 
(3) THREATS POSED BY AN UNMANNED AIR-
CRAFT
OR
UNMANNED
AIRCRAFT
SYSTEM.—The 
term ‘‘threats posed by an unmanned aircraft sys-
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tem or unmanned aircraft system’’ means an unau-
thorized activity of an unmanned aircraft or un-
manned aircraft system that is reasonably believed 
to— 
(A) create the potential for bodily harm to, 
or loss of human life of; 
(C) poses a threat to law enforcement, 
public safety, and national security installa-
tions, and or critical infrastructure; or 
(B) have the potential to cause severe eco-
nomic damage. 
SEC. 3. COUNTER-UAS MITIGATION LAW ENFORCEMENT 
COOPERATION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subject to the availability of ap-
propriations for such purpose, the Secretary of Homeland 
Security, in coordination with the Attorney General and 
the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, 
shall establish appropriate policies, procedures, and proto-
cols necessary to allow the State law enforcement agency 
in each State (in coordination with the Secretary, Attorney 
General, and Administrator) to acquire, deploy, operate, 
and train with approved counter-UAS mitigation systems 
and mitigate unauthorized UAS operations. 
(b) REQUIRED APPLICATION.— 
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(1) IN GENERAL.—In carrying out this section, 
the Secretary of Homeland Security, in coordination 
with the Attorney General and the Administrator, 
shall establish an application process to authorize 
the acquisition, deployment, and operation of an ap-
proved counter-UAS mitigation system, equipment, 
or technology by State law enforcement agencies. 
(c) AGREEMENTS.—Upon approval of an application 
required under subsection (b) by the Secretary of Home-
land Security, the Secretary shall enter into an agreement 
with the applicable State law enforcement agency to au-
thorize the acquisition, deployment, operation of an ap-
proved counter-UAS mitigation system, equipment, or 
technology, that shall specify, at a minimum— 
(1) the approved counter-UAS mitigation sys-
tem, equipment, or technology to be operated; 
(2) the authority to respond to threats posed by 
an unmanned aircraft system or unmanned aircraft 
system; 
(3) the time periods, dates, and circumstances 
during which the counter-UAS mitigation system, 
equipment, or technology may be operated; 
(4) any terms and conditions on the deployment 
and operation of an approved counter-UAS mitiga-
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tion system, equipment, or technology the Secretary 
determines necessary to ensure public safety; 
(5) the frequency with which the appropriate 
Federal agency representatives shall conduct peri-
odic site visits to ensure compliance with the ap-
proved terms and conditions of deployment and op-
erations of the approved counter-UAS mitigation 
system, equipment, or technology; and 
(6) the post-event reporting requirements speci-
fied in subsection (d)(3). 
(d) 
AUTHORIZATION.—Notwithstanding 
section 
46502 of title 49, United States Code, or sections 32, 
1030, 1367 and chapters 119 and 206 of title 18, United 
States Code, any State law enforcement agency which has 
been approved through the application process described 
in paragraph (b)(1) may authorize personnel with as-
signed duties that include the safety, security, or protec-
tion of people, facilities, or assets to take such actions as 
are described in subsection (g) that are necessary to de-
tect, identify, monitor, track, or mitigate a credible threat 
posed by an unmanned aircraft or unmanned aircraft sys-
tem. 
(e) FCC.— 
(1) OTHER
INTERFERENCE.—In establishing 
minimum performance requirements under sub-
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section 3 (a), the Administrator shall consider cri-
teria, as determined by the Chair of the Federal 
Communications Commission, to determine the ex-
tent to which counter-UAS detection and mitigation 
systems, equipment, or technology can be safely op-
erated without disrupting or interfering with the op-
eration of civilian communications and information 
technology networks and systems, including such 
networks and systems that rely on radio frequency 
or cellular network communications links. 
(2) SPECTRUM
IMPACT
CONSULTATION.—The 
Secretary, the Attorney General, and the Adminis-
trator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall 
consult with the Chair of the Federal Communica-
tions Commission or the Administrator of the Na-
tional Telecommunications and Information Admin-
istration as appropriate, to determine whether the 
use of counter-UAS detection or mitigation system, 
equipment, or technology approved for use by the 
Department of Homeland Security does not present 
an adverse impact on civilian telecommunications 
spectrum, internet or radio communication network 
or systems. 
(f) EQUIPMENT AUTHORIZATION.—Any equipment 
authorized to be acquired under this act may be author-
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ized by either the Secretary of Homeland Security or the 
Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration. 
(g) ACTIONS DESCRIBED.—The actions authorized in 
subsection (d) are the following: 
(1) During the operation of the unmanned air-
craft system or unmanned aircraft, detecting, identi-
fying, monitoring, and tracking the unmanned air-
craft system or unmanned aircraft, without prior 
consent, including by means of intercept or other ac-
cess of a wire communication, an oral communica-
tion, or an electronic communication used to control 
the unmanned aircraft system or unmanned aircraft. 
(2) Warn the operator of the unmanned aircraft 
system or unmanned aircraft, including by passive 
or active, and direct or indirect, physical, electronic, 
radio, and electromagnetic means. 
(3) Disrupt control of the unmanned aircraft 
system or unmanned aircraft, without prior consent 
of the operator of the unmanned aircraft system or 
unmanned aircraft, including by disabling the un-
manned aircraft system or unmanned aircraft by 
intercepting, interfering, or causing interference with 
wire, oral, electronic, or radio communications used 
to control the unmanned aircraft system or un-
manned aircraft. 
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(4) Seize or exercise control of the unmanned 
aircraft system or unmanned aircraft. 
(5) Seize or otherwise confiscate the unmanned 
aircraft system or unmanned aircraft. 
(6) Use reasonable force, if necessary, to dis-
able, damage, or destroy the unmanned aircraft sys-
tem or unmanned aircraft. 
(h) REQUIRED
COORDINATION
AND
NOTIFICA-
TION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Until the date that is 180 
days after the initial deployment of an authorized 
counter-UAS system, equipment, or technology, the 
Secretary of Homeland Security shall expressly ap-
prove, on a case-by-case basis, the mitigation of un-
manned aircraft system by a State law enforcement 
agency under this section. 
(2) VERIFICATION AND NOTIFICATION.—In car-
rying out paragraph (1), the Secretary of Homeland 
Security shall— 
(A) verify that there is a justifiable threat 
that warrants the use of such counter-UAS sys-
tem, equipment, or technology; 
(B) verify that the use of such counter- 
UAS system, equipment, or technology will— 
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(i) be conducted in a manner con-
sistent with the agreement between the 
Secretary and the State law enforcement 
agency; and 
(ii) abide by all safety protocols, 
terms, and conditions established for the 
use of such system, equipment, or tech-
nology at the covered site; and 
(C) immediately notify the Administrator 
of the Federal Aviation Administration of the 
approval provided under this paragraph. 
(3) REPORT.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 24 
hours after each mitigation of a UAS conducted 
under the authorities in this section, the rel-
evant State law enforcement agency shall sub-
mit to the Secretary of Homeland Security, the 
Administrator of the Federal Aviation Adminis-
tration, and the Attorney General a post-event 
report. 
(B) CONTENTS.—The report under sub-
paragraph (A) shall include all relevant infor-
mation pertaining to the event, including the 
drone operation, and subsequent mitigation and 
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enforcement actions, and subsequent enforce-
ment actions, as specified by the Secretary. 
(i) REVOCATION.—The Secretary shall 
revoke the authorization or approval for 
the deployment and operation of an ap-
proved counter-UAS mitigation system, 
equipment, or technology pursuant to this 
section if the Secretary determines that the 
covered entity has not— 
(1) maintained an agreement that is acceptable 
to the Secretary with a State law enforcement agen-
cy to operate such approved counter-UAS mitigation 
system, equipment, or technology on behalf of the 
covered entity; and 
(2) complied with the privacy protections under 
section 210G(e) of the Homeland Security Act of 
2002 (6 U.S.C. 124n(e)). 
(j) COORDINATION.—The Secretary shall coordinate 
with the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Adminis-
tration and the Attorney General in carrying out the appli-
cation, agreement, and revocation processes under this 
section. 
(k) SELECTION CRITERIA.— 
(1) AIRSPACE CONSIDERATIONS.—The Adminis-
trator of the Federal Aviation Administration, in co-
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ordination with the Secretary of Homeland Security 
and the Attorney General, shall make a location-spe-
cific determination for each applicable state law en-
forcement agency selected under the approval proc-
ess established under this section to ensure that any 
potential use of counter-UAS mitigation systems, 
equipment, or technology will not interfere with or 
adversely impact the safe operation of the national 
airspace system, including any airport that is located 
within the state. 
(2) INELIGIBILITY FOR PARTICIPATION.—If an 
adverse impact is identified under paragraph (1) and 
cannot be safely mitigated to the satisfaction of the 
Administrator, the applicable state law enforcement 
is not eligible for to use counter-UAS systems within 
a range determined by the Federal Aviation Admin-
istrator of the site of interference. 
SEC. 4 MANDATORY DRONE DECONFLICTION REPORTING. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subject to the availability of ap-
propriations for such purpose, not later than 180 days 
after the first determination that a counter-UAS system 
with mitigation capabilities meets the requirements of sec-
tion 44810(e) of title 49, United States Code, the Sec-
retary of Homeland Security, in coordination with the Ad-
ministrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, shall 
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establish appropriate policies to ensure deconfliction be-
tween federal, state, or local agencies regarding drones 
flown by other federal, state, or local agencies. 
(b) MANDATORY REPORTING REQUIREMENT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—In carrying out this section, 
the Secretary of Homeland Security, in coordination 
with the Administrator, shall establish a mandatory 
non-emergency reporting requirement mechanism for 
federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. 
(2) MANDATORY REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.— 
The reporting requirement described in paragraph 
(1) shall contain— 
(A) A database containing a drone which is 
currently being used in a non-emergency oper-
ation’s transponder ID and the date and time 
of its usage. 
(B) A method for federal, state, and local 
law enforcement to check if a drone’s trans-
ponder is within the database and is currently 
in use. 
SEC. 5 RAPID RESPONSE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any other provi-
sion of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security may 
act rapidly to respond to a State request for assistance 
on a UAS mitigation situation in an emergency. 
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(b) PROCESS FOR RESPONDING.—The Secretary of 
Homeland Security shall establish a process for rapid re-
sponse described in subsection (a). 
SEC. 6 COUNTER-UAS SECURITY GRANT PROGRAM. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established in the 
Department a program to be known as the ‘‘Counter-UAS 
Security Grant Program’’ (in this section referred to as 
the ‘‘Program’’). Under the Program, the Secretary, act-
ing through the Administrator, shall make grants to eligi-
ble state law enforcement and emergency management 
agencies for the acquisition of counter-UAS equipment. 
(b) ELIGIBLE RECIPIENTS.—Eligible recipients are 
law enforcement agencies of States. 
(c) PERMITTED USES.—The recipient of a grant 
under this section may use such grant for any of the fol-
lowing uses— 
(1) acquisition of approved counter-UAS sys-
tems; 
(2) fees for training approved personnel; and 
(3) any other appropriate activity, including ad-
ministrative activities, as determined by the Admin-
istrator. 
(d) PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE.—The Administrator 
shall make funds provided under this section available for 
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use by a recipient of a grant for a period of not less than 
24 months. 
SEC. 7 REVIEW AND REPORT ON UAS ACTIVITY. 
(a) REVIEW.—The Inspector General of the Depart-
ment of Defense shall conduct a review of potential foreign 
adversary connected UAS Activity over critical military in-
stallations, vessels, aircraft, and the Homeland, and other 
matters. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 90 days after the enact-
ment of this Act, the Inspector General shall submit to 
the relevant committees a report on— 
(1) UAS activity over military installations in 
the United States and abroad, 
(2) UAS activity in close proximity to sensitive 
national security installations, 
(3) instances of UAS activity in the vicinity of 
U.S. military and law enforcement vessels and air-
craft, 
(4) instances of the executive branch not shar-
ing UAP information with Congress when requested, 
(5) the process for deploying counter-UAS sys-
tems to assist state and local law enforcement, 
(6) instances where the Department of Defense 
deployed counter-UAS systems to assist state and 
local law enforcement, and 
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