(1) CRITICAL
INFRASTRUCTURE.—The term 
‘‘critical infrastructure’’ has the meaning given such 
term in subsection (e) of the Critical Infrastructures 
Protection Act of 2001 (42 U.S.C. 5195c(e)). 
(2) COVERED
FOREIGN
ENTITY.—The term 
‘‘covered foreign entity’’ means an entity— 
(A) included on the Consolidated Screening 
List or Entity List as designated by the Sec-
retary of Commerce; 
(B) domiciled in the People’s Republic of 
China or the Russian Federation; 
(C) subject to influence or control by the 
Government of the People’s Republic of China 
or by the Russian Federation; or 
(D) is a subsidiary or affiliate of an entity 
described in subparagraphs (A) through (C). 
(3) EDUCATIONAL
INSTITUTION.—The term 
‘‘educational institution’’ means an institution of 
higher education (as defined in section 101 of the 
High Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001)) that 
participates in a program authorized under sections 
631 and 632 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 
2018 (49 U.S.C. 40101 note). 
(4) 
ELEMENT
OF
CRITICAL
INFRASTRUC-
TURE.—The term ‘‘element of critical infrastruc-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:00 Jun 16, 2023
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3593.IH
H3593
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB
ture’’ means a critical infrastructure facility or 
asset, including public bridges, tunnels, roads, high-
ways, dams, electric grid, water infrastructure, com-
munication systems, pipelines, or other related facili-
ties or assets, as determined by the Secretary. 
(5) ELIGIBLE
SMALL
UNMANNED
AIRCRAFT 
SYSTEM.—The term ‘‘eligible small unmanned air-
craft system’’ means a small unmanned aircraft sys-
tem manufactured or assembled by a company that 
is domiciled in the United States and is not a cov-
ered foreign entity. 
(6) ELIGIBLE
SMALL
UNMANNED
AIRCRAFT 
SYSTEM
TECHNOLOGY.—The term ‘‘eligible small 
unmanned aircraft system technology’’ means— 
(A) an eligible small unmanned aircraft 
system; or 
(B) a major component of such a system 
that is not manufactured by or procured from 
a covered foreign entity. 
(7) GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY.—The term ‘‘gov-
ernmental entity’’ means— 
(A) a State, the District of Columbia, the 
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, a territory of 
the United States, or a political subdivision 
thereof; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:00 Jun 16, 2023
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3593.IH
H3593
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB
(B) a unit of local government; 
(C) a Tribal government; 
(D) a metropolitan planning organization; 
or 
(E) a consortia of more than 1 of the enti-
ties described in subparagraphs (A) through 
(D). 
(8) PROJECT.—The term ‘‘project’’ means a 
project for the inspection, operation, maintenance, 
repair, modernization, or construction of an element 
of critical infrastructure, including mitigating envi-
ronmental hazards to such infrastructure. 
(9) SMALL UNMANNED AIRCRAFT; UNMANNED 
AIRCRAFT
SYSTEM.—The terms ‘‘small unmanned 
aircraft’’ and ‘‘unmanned aircraft system’’ have the 
meanings given such terms in section 44801 of title 
49, United States Code. 
SEC. 3. DRONE INFRASTRUCTURE INSPECTION GRANT 
PROGRAM. 
(a) AUTHORITY.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transpor-
tation shall establish a drone infrastructure inspection 
grant program to make grants to governmental entities 
to facilitate the use of eligible small unmanned aircraft 
systems to support more efficient inspection, operation, 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:00 Jun 16, 2023
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3593.IH
H3593
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB
construction, maintenance, modernization, and repair of 
critical infrastructure to improve worker safety related to 
critical infrastructure projects. 
(b) USE OF GRANT AMOUNTS.—A governmental enti-
ty may use a grant provided under this section to— 
(1) purchase or lease eligible small unmanned 
aircraft systems; 
(2) support operational capabilities of eligible 
small unmanned aircraft systems by the govern-
mental entity; 
(3) contract for services performed using an eli-
gible small unmanned aircraft system in cir-
cumstances in which the governmental entity does 
not have the resources or expertise to safely carry 
out or assist in carrying out the activities described 
under subsection (a); and 
(4) support the program management capability 
of the governmental entity to use an eligible small 
unmanned aircraft system. 
(c) ELIGIBILITY.—To be eligible to receive a grant 
under this section, a governmental entity shall submit an 
application to the Secretary at such time, in such form, 
and containing such information as the Secretary may re-
quire, including an assurance that the governmental entity 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:00 Jun 16, 2023
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3593.IH
H3593
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB
or any contractor of the governmental entity, will comply 
with relevant Federal regulations. 
(d) SELECTION
OF APPLICANTS.—In awarding a 
grant under this section, the Secretary shall prioritize ap-
plications that propose to— 
(1) carry out a critical infrastructure project in 
a variety of communities, including urban, suburban, 
rural, tribal, or any other type of community; and 
(2) address a safety risk in the inspection, oper-
ation, construction, maintenance, or repair of critical 
infrastructure. 
(e) LIMITATION.—Nothing in this section shall be 
construed as to interfere with an agreement between a 
governmental entity and a labor union, including require-
ments under section 5333(b) of title 49, United States 
Code. 
(f) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 1 year 
after the first grant is provided under this section, the 
Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Transpor-
tation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives 
and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation of the Senate a report that evaluates the program 
carried out under this section, including— 
(1) a description of the number of grants 
awarded; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:00 Jun 16, 2023
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3593.IH
H3593
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB