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S 4309

Deescalation Drone Pilot Program Act of 2026

119th Congress Introduced by Jim Justice

Establishes a US pilot program to test nonlethal deescalation drones for active shooter responses, with safety, training, US manufacturing, and potential future rulemaking.

Introduced in Senate
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 4309

Summary of Bill: Deescalation Drone Pilot Program Act of 2026 (S. 4309)

Jurisdiction: United States Congress | Session: 119th Congress | Introduced: April 15, 2026

1) Purpose and Intent

  • Establishes a pilot program to assess the use of small, nonlethal deescalation unmanned aircraft (drones) for law enforcement and public safety responses, specifically in active shooter scenarios.
  • Reiterates existing prohibition on weapons-equipped unmanned aircraft (no armed drones).

2) Key Provisions and Changes

Establishment of Pilot Program

  • Adds a new section to Title 49 (Chapter 448) to create a “Small unmanned aircraft pilot program for law enforcement and public safety.”
  • The FAA Administrator must stand up the program within 2 months of enactment to review nonlethal deescalation drones for active shooter events involving federal, state, local, or Tribal law enforcement.

Scope and Contents of the Pilot

  • The pilot program must address:
    • Validation and review of nonlethal weapons that could be mounted on unmanned aircraft.
    • Training protocols for law enforcement and FAA personnel on the use of nonlethal deescalation drones.
    • Operational and safety protocols for drone operators and agencies overseeing drone operations.
    • Evaluation of efficacy in indoor active shooter events and whether using such drones can increase the safe engagement distance between officers and the shooter.

Partnerships and Interagency Work

  • Requires collaboration with existing UAS test ranges (designated under §44803) and coordination with federal, state, and large metropolitan area law enforcement.
  • Allows interagency aviation agreements with the Department of Justice, Department of Homeland Security, and state/local agencies to support the program.
  • Calls for ongoing consultation with relevant stakeholders.

Reporting and Rulemaking

  • A report must be submitted to the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee within 3 months after the pilot concludes, detailing results and proposing a process for approving law enforcement use of nonlethal deescalation drones.
  • Within 60 days after the report, the FAA Administrator must initiate rulemaking to establish:
    • A process to approve Federal, state, local, or Tribal agencies to operate nonlethal deescalation drones during active shooter events.
    • A process to allow manufacturers to operate/testing and demonstrations of these drones.

Manufacturing Requirement

  • Any nonlethal deescalation drones used under the pilot must be manufactured in the United States (as defined by the FTC under 16 CFR Part 323).

Definitions

  • Active Shooter Event: An incident where an individual is actively engaged in unlawfully killing or attempting to kill, posing significant risk to life, with imminent danger unless force is used.
  • Nonlethal Deescalation Unmanned Aircraft: A drone operated by law enforcement equipped with one or more nonlethal weapons (and potentially other nonlethal devices like sound emitters, cameras, speakers, sensors, strobes) intended to have reversible effects and minimize fatalities and permanent injuries.
  • Nonlethal Weapon: Devices designed to incapacitate temporarily or reduce threat with reversible effects, prioritizing safety and minimizing collateral harm.

Additional Note

  • The bill emphasizes nonlethal applications and explicitly reaffirms the prohibition on armed unmanned aircraft under a separate provision (section 363 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018).

3) Who/What Would Be Affected

  • Federal, State, local, and Tribal law enforcement agencies that respond to active shooter situations.
  • FAA and related aviation safety and regulatory processes.
  • UAS manufacturers, particularly those producing nonlethal deescalation drones (subject to U.S. manufacturing requirement).
  • UAS test ranges and interagency partners (Department of Justice, Department of Homeland Security, etc.).
  • Policy stakeholders and communities affected by active shooter response protocols.

4) Procedural and Timeline Elements

  • Pilot program onset: Within 2 months of enactment (as specified in the bill).
  • Pilot duration: Not explicitly fixed; requires a concluding report within 3 months after the pilot’s conclusion.
  • Post-pilot rulemaking: Rulemaking to establish approval processes and manufacturing/testing provisions to be initiated within 60 days after the report.
  • Reporting: A comprehensive report to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure within 3 months after the pilot’s conclusion.

5) Status and Sponsorship

  • Introduced in the Senate on April 15, 2026.
  • Co-sponsor: Jim Justice.
  • Referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Overall, S. 4309 aims to evaluate a controlled, nonlethal approach to deescalation in active shooter contexts via drones, with rigorous training, safety, and manufacturing standards, and a formal path toward potential broader regulatory approvals if the pilot demonstrates efficacy and safety.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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