Critical Infrastructure Airspace Defense Act

Key Points

• The bill grants private owners of critical infrastructure like nuclear plants and key power grid sites the legal authority to detect, track, and take down threatening drones. Currently only federal agencies and trained law enforcement have this power, leaving a gap for private operators.
• Security staff must complete a national certification program before they can use any drone countermeasure technology. The Department of Homeland Security has 180 days to set up this program in coordination with other federal agencies.
• The bill authorizes $250 million in grants over five years (2027-2031) to help critical infrastructure companies buy, install, and operate approved drone defense systems.
• Companies and their security personnel are shielded from civil and criminal liability when they use authorized drone countermeasures, unless they act with gross negligence or willful misconduct.
• The authority applies specifically to high-risk sites like nuclear generating stations, key substations, transformer stations, and control centers of the bulk power system. The new authority expires on September 30, 2031.