Deescalation Drone Pilot Program Act of 2026

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [S. 4309 Introduced in Senate (IS)] <DOC> 119th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 4309 To amend title 49, United States Code, to establish a pilot program for small, nonlethal deescalation unmanned aircraft to be used for law enforcement and public safety, and for other purposes. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES April 15 (legislative day, April 14), 2026 Mr. Justice introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To amend title 49, United States Code, to establish a pilot program for small, nonlethal deescalation unmanned aircraft to be used for law enforcement and public safety, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Deescalation Drone Pilot Program Act of 2026''. SEC. 2. SMALL UNMANNED AIRCRAFT PILOT PROGRAM FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT AND PUBLIC SAFETY. (a) In General.--Chapter 448 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: ``Sec. 44815. Small unmanned aircraft pilot program for law enforcement and public safety ``(a) Prohibition Regarding Weapons.--The prohibition regarding unmanned aircraft armed with dangerous weapons under section 363 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (49 U.S.C. 44802 note) is reaffirmed. ``(b) Pilot Program.-- ``(1) In general.--Not later than 2 months after the date of enactment of this section, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall establish a deescalation drone pilot program to review the potential use of nonlethal deescalation unmanned aircraft by Federal, State, local, or Tribal law enforcement responding to an active shooter event. ``(