Counter-UAS Authority Security, Safety, and Reauthorization Act

This bill reauthorizes and reforms federal authorities to detect and mitigate threats from unmanned aircraft systems (UAS, or drones), aiming to improve transparency, security, safety, and accountability. It updates existing laws, expands authorized actions for federal agencies, creates new programs for state and local law enforcement and airport operators, and establishes reporting requirements.

Sec. 2, Definitions: Defines key terms used in the bill, including 'appropriate committees of Congress' (specific House and Senate committees), 'covered airport' (large and medium hub airports and certain all-cargo airports), 'covered entity' (owner of a covered site or organizer of a public gathering), and 'covered site' (critical infrastructure facilities, oil refineries, chemical facilities, amusement parks, state prisons, large public gatherings, and sites with certain flight restrictions).

Sec. 3, Protection of certain facilities and assets from unmanned aircraft systems: Amends the Homeland Security Act to update the definition of 'covered facility' and expand authorized actions against drones, including seizing or confiscating them. It requires coordination with the Secretary of Transportation and a determination by the FAA Administrator that an action will not adversely impact aviation safety before it can be taken. It also mandates a list of approved counter-UAS equipment and technology.

Sec. 4, FAA counter-UAS activities: Rewrites the FAA's authority to detect or mitigate credible threats to the national airspace system and to test counter-UAS systems. Authorized actions include detecting, tracking, seizing, disabling, or destroying drones. It exempts these activities from certain criminal laws and requires privacy protections consistent with the First and Fourth Amendments.

Sec. 5, Additional limited authority for detection, identification, monitoring, and tracking: Allows the Secretary of Homeland Security to authorize covered entities, in partnership with federal, state, or local law enforcement, to acquire and operate approved counter-UAS detection systems at covered sites. It establishes an application process requiring a justifiable threat, a deployment plan, and a written agreement with law enforcement.

Sec. 6, Counter-UAS mitigation law enforcement pilot program: Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish a pilot program allowing state and local law enforcement, in partnership with covered entities, to acquire and operate approved counter-UAS mitigation systems at covered sites. It requires an application process with a justifiable threat, a plan, a law enforcement agreement, training proof, and proof of airspace restrictions.

Sec. 7, Counter-UAS system planning and deployment at airports: Requires the FAA Administrator to develop a plan for deploying counter-UAS systems at covered airports to ensure aircraft safety and respond to drone disruptions. The plan must consider roles, procedures, performance requirements, funding, training, and coordination with stakeholders. It also requires periodic updates.

Sec. 8, UAS detection and mitigation enforcement authority: Creates a new prohibition against carelessly or recklessly operating counter-UAS systems in a way that harms safe airport operations or the national airspace system. It authorizes the FAA to address violations and establishes civil penalties for such violations, with the maximum penalty applying to individuals and small businesses.

Sec. 9, Reporting on counter-UAS activities: Requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to issue an annual public report summarizing all counter-UAS activities. The report must include information on violations, data on detection and mitigation activities, whether any mitigated drone was engaged in First Amendment-protected activities, and a description of privacy and civil liberties protections.