Study on drone incursions on wildfire suppression

(a) Definitions In this section: (1) Administrator The term Administrator means the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration. (2) Drone The term drone means an unmanned aircraft system owned by a private individual or entity. (3) Drone incursion The term drone incursion means the operation of a drone within any airspace for which the Administrator has issued a temporary flight restriction because of a wildfire. (b) Study required The Administrator, in consultation with the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service, shall conduct a study on the effects of drone incursions on wildfire suppression with respect to land managed by the Department of the Interior or the Department of Agriculture. (c) Study contents In conducting the study required under subsection (b), the Administrator shall— (1) determine, for each of the 5 most recent calendar years— (A) the number of occurrences in which a drone incursion interfered with wildfire suppression; and (B) the estimated effect of each occurrence described in subparagraph (A) on— (i) the length of time required to achieve complete suppression; (ii) any associated delay in the fielding of aerial firefighting response units; and (iii) the amounts expended by the Federal Government; and (2) evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of various actions to prevent drone incursions, including— (A) the use of counter-drone radio towers; (B) the use of reasonable force to disable, damage, or destroy a drone; (C) the seizure of a drone, including seizure with a net device; and (D) the dissemination of educational materials relating to the effects of drone incursions on wildfire suppression. (d) Report Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the congressional committees, the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report describing— (1) the findings of the study required under subsection (b); and (2) any recommendations relating to those findings.

(a) Definitions In this section: (1) Administrator The term Administrator means the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration. (2) Drone The term drone means an unmanned aircraft system owned by a private individual or entity. (3) Drone incursion The term drone incursion means the operation of a drone within any airspace for which the Administrator has issued a temporary flight restriction because of a wildfire. (b) Study required The Administrator, in consultation with the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service, shall conduct a study on the effects of drone incursions on wildfire suppression with respect to land managed by the Department of the Interior or the Department of Agriculture. (c) Study contents In conducting the study required under subsection (b), the Administrator shall— (1) determine, for each of the 5 most recent calendar years— (A) the number of occurrences in which a drone incursion interfered with wildfire suppression; and (B) the estimated effect of each occurrence described in subparagraph (A) on— (i) the length of time required to achieve complete suppression; (ii) any associated delay in the fielding of aerial firefighting response units; and (iii) the amounts expended by the Federal Government; and (2) evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of various actions to prevent drone incursions, including— (A) the use of counter-drone radio towers; (B) the use of reasonable force to disable, damage, or destroy a drone; (C) the seizure of a drone, including seizure with a net device; and (D) the dissemination of educational materials relating to the effects of drone incursions on wildfire suppression. (d) Report Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the congressional committees, the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report describing— (1) the findings of the study required under subsection (b); and (2) any recommendations relating to those findings.