DEFENSE Act (State/Local Counter-UAS Deputization at Mass Gatherings)
Current understanding
The DEFENSE Act is an introduced bill that would authorize DHS and DOJ to deputize trained state and local law enforcement officers to detect, track, disrupt, and disable threatening drones over stadiums and large public gatherings protected by FAA temporary flight restrictions (TFRs). It builds on existing federal counter-UAS frameworks (currently limited to a narrow set of federal agencies) by creating a formal deputization pathway with required training, multi-agency oversight, and an authorized-equipment list. Status: introduced.
Evidence log
- 2025-02-20 — DEFENSE Act: cross-connection with counter-uas-state-local-authority: The DEFENSE Act operationalizes the broader SLTT counter-UAS authority concept by creating a specific federal deputization pathway for state and local officers at TFR-protected mass gatherings. (novelty: 3)