SHIELD U Act
Congress Proposes Giving Police New Authority to Jam and Disable Drones Near Airports
Stalled
No legislative action in over 90 days.
Legislative Progress
Key Points
- This bill gives local police and airport security the legal power to stop drones that are flying where they shouldn't be. Right now, only a few federal agencies have the authority to jam or take down a drone, but this would expand that power to help protect travelers and the public from potential threats.
- Law enforcement could use several methods to stop a dangerous drone, including sending warnings to the pilot, jamming the remote control signal, seizing the drone, or even destroying it if necessary. A threat is defined as any drone activity that could hurt people or cause serious economic damage to an airport or a local community.
- To make sure this is done safely, airports would have to create tactical response plans with the FAA and other agencies. These plans would set clear rules for when and how to use drone-stopping technology to avoid accidentally interfering with normal cell phone signals or airplane navigation systems.
- The bill allows airports to use federal grant money to buy drone defense equipment. It also requires the government to publish a list of approved vendors and equipment so that local cities and airports know they are buying reliable tools that meet federal standards.
- The Department of Homeland Security would be responsible for training officers on how to use this new technology. This includes learning how to use physical tools, like nets, and electronic tools, like signal jamming, to keep the skies safe while respecting the privacy rights of citizens.
Impact Analysis
Personal Impact
Life & Work
Small business owners who operate commercial drones — for deliveries, aerial photography, surveying, agriculture, and other services — face a more complex legal environment. While the bill targets threatening drones, the expanded authority for police to jam, seize, or destroy drones could create risks for legitimate commercial operators flying near airports or in areas where law enforcement perceives a threat. On the positive side, clearer rules and approved equipment lists could reduce inconsistent enforcement.
Activities
Milestones
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Introduced in Senate
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
Votes
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.
Related News
5 articlesSenator Mike Lee Proposes Legislation to Strengthen Local Law Enforcement Against Drone Threats
Senator Mike Lee of Utah introduced the SHIELD-U Act to expand local law enforcement's toolkit for handling drone threats. The bill aims to delegate power to local entities to detect and mitigate drones, particularly around airports, where federal authority currently has exclusive jurisdiction.
SHIELD-U Act resurfaces as drone threats increase
Senator Mike Lee re-introduced the SHIELD-U Act to the 119th Congress, intended to support local law enforcement in protecting communities from drone threats. The bill would allow local authorities to research, test, and evaluate counter-UAS equipment with airport operator consent.
Police can now take down drones at public gatherings, new defense law says
Reporting on the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which incorporates provisions similar to the SHIELD-U Act. The law enables local law enforcement to disable drones at large public gatherings and sporting events, closing a security gap previously restricted to federal agencies.
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
SHIELD U Act
Data Sources
Sponsor
Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.