February 6, 2025
Mr. Correa (for himself and Mr. Nehls) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary
To authorize the use of certain Department of Justice grants to purchase and operate unmanned aircraft systems to benefit public safety.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Directing Resources for Officers Navigating Emergencies Act of 2025
or the DRONE Act of 2025
.
Sec. 2. Use of grant funds for unmanned aircraft
(a) Byrne grants
Section 501(a)(1) of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. 10152(a)(1)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
(J)
Programs to purchase and operate unmanned aircraft systems (as such term is defined in section 44801 of title 49, United States Code) to benefit public safety.
(b) COPS grants
Section 1701(b) of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. 10381(b)) is amended—
(1)
by redesignating paragraphs (23) and (24) as paragraphs (24) and (25), respectively;
(2)
by inserting after paragraph (22) the following:
(23)
to purchase and operate unmanned aircraft systems (as such term is defined in section 44801 of title 49, United States Code) to benefit public safety; ; and
(3)
in paragraph (24), as so redesignated, by striking (22)
and inserting (23)
.