Airport Alert: House Committee Advances C-UAS Legislation

September 3, 2025

The House Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) Committee on September 3 held a markup and favorably advanced H.R. 5061, the Counter-UAS Authority Security, Safety, and Reauthorization Act, by a vote of 60-0. This bipartisan bill provides a broad framework to reauthorize and expand the use of counter-unmanned aircraft systems (C-UAS) detection and mitigation systems to protect airports and other critical infrastructure from nefarious and unauthorized drone threats throughout the National Airspace System through October 1, 2030.

The legislation, among other things:

• Requires the federal government, led by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), to develop a framework to address threats to the aviation system posed by unsafe or nefarious unmanned aircraft system (UAS) activity in the airport environment and at other critical infrastructure facilities.
• Requires FAA to deploy UAS detection systems at certain airports.
• Provides FAA and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with the authority to use a mitigation system to protect any airport against a persistent drone threat.
• Permits counter-UAS mitigation pilot programs under certain conditions.
• Requires DHS and the Department of Justice to establish standards for counter-UAS system training programs and operator qualifications for the use of counter-UAS detection and mitigation systems, equipment, or technology.
• This bipartisan legislation, originally introduced late in the 118th Congress, was drafted by three House Committees—Transportation and Infrastructure, Homeland Security, and Judiciary. On August 29, House Homeland Security Chair Andrew Garabino (R-NY) reintroduced this legislation. The latest version contains a special counter-UAS mitigation program for multinational sporting events, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the 2028 Olympic Games, and the Summer Paralympic Games.

In terms of impacts on airports, the bill would (a) provide authority to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to use a mitigation system to protect any airport against a persistent drone threat, (b) require FAA to deploy UAS detection systems at large hub, medium hub, and certain cargo airports within a specific timeframe and under certain conditions, and (c) provide DHS with the authority to deploy UAS mitigation systems at up to 5 airports through a pilot program, with two of those to include airport police. Any C-UAS system deployed by the FAA or DHS at an airport would have to meet performance standards established by FAA. In addition, FAA would have to coordinate with airports and other stakeholders before the deployment of any system to ensure the proper roles and responsibilities are established.

The legislation also prohibits the federal government from requiring airports to procure or use C-UAS systems on behalf of the federal government and allows airports to use existing C-UAS detection systems previously acquired if the system meets the FAA’s performance standards.

AAAE has long supported these bipartisan C-UAS efforts. Advancing this bill is a critical step toward addressing a rapidly changing UAS environment, protecting airports and other critical infrastructure and facilities from hostile threats or reckless users of this technology, and promoting the safe adoption of UAS detection and mitigation systems to close vulnerabilities. 

What’s Next:

According to Ranking Member Rick Larsen (D-WA), approving this bill is the first step in advancing critical legislation to counter the growing threats from UAS and to expand authorities beyond the federal government, and will permit discussions with the Senate on a bicameral C-UAS reauthorization bill. Existing federal authorities are set to expire at the end of this fiscal year.

House Homeland Security Chair Garbarino also filed this legislation as an amendment to the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, which the House will consider next week. With almost 1,000 amendments filed to that bill, it is unclear if Chair Garbarino’s C-UAS amendment will be included in those approved to be considered on the House floor.

Additional Details:

The bill text, a manager’s amendment that, among other things, clarifies state and local responsibilities at multinational sporting events and expands the definition of covered airports to include small-hub airports, and the discussion about the bill during its markup can be found on the T&I website. C-UAS legislation was the last item considered, about 70 minutes after the markup began.