SHIELD U Act

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.