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HR 817

House Study Committee on Governmental Use of Drones and Unmanned Aircraft from Foreign Adversaries; create

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Josh Bonner and 5 co-sponsors

Georgia House creates a temporary study committee to review government use of foreign-made drones, security/privacy risks, procurement gaps, and possible policy changes.

House Withdrawn, Recommitted
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Bill Summary · HR 817

Summary — HR 817: House Study Committee on Governmental Use of Drones and Unmanned Aircraft from Foreign Adversaries

Main purpose and intent

HR 817 creates a temporary House study committee to examine security, privacy, procurement, and policy issues related to governmental use of drones and unmanned aircraft — with a particular focus on drones and components originating from foreign adversaries. The resolution directs the committee to study risks (espionage, data collection, cyber intrusion, unauthorized surveillance, sabotage), procurement practices, data flows to foreign manufacturers, and coordination among federal, state, and local authorities for interdiction and public-safety responses. The committee may recommend legislative or other actions.

Key provisions

  • Creates the "House Study Committee on Governmental Use of Drones and Unmanned Aircraft from Foreign Adversaries."
  • Membership: five members of the House appointed by the Speaker; the Speaker names the chair.
  • Scope: study conditions, needs, issues and problems described in the preamble (security threats from foreign-made drones, data transmission to foreign entities, gaps in state/federal procurement policies, military- installation risks, privacy and public-safety implications, and intergovernmental coordination).
  • Meetings: called by the chair; may meet at times and places the committee deems necessary.
  • Allowances & funding: legislative members receive allowances under Code Section 28-1-8 (Official Code of Georgia Annotated); allowances capped at five days unless additional days authorized. Committee expenses are paid from funds appropriated to the House.
  • Reporting: If the committee adopts findings or recommends legislation, the chair must file those reports prior to abolishment. Reports require majority approval of a quorum and must be filed with the Clerk. If no approved report exists, the chair may file meeting minutes in lieu of a report.
  • Termination: the committee is abolished on December 1, 2025.

Who would be affected

  • State and local government agencies (procurement, law enforcement, emergency response) — potential future changes to procurement and use policies.
  • Military installations and critical infrastructure operators in the state — focus of risk assessment.
  • Drone manufacturers and suppliers, particularly foreign-made systems and chip suppliers — potential policy recommendations to limit or regulate procurement.
  • General public — implications for privacy, data protection, and transparency about government drone use.

Procedural/timeline aspects & current status

  • Introduced: January 28, 2025.
  • Key procedural actions (selected):
    • Referred to committees (Ways and Means; Education and Workforce) — Jan 28, 2025.
    • House readings and committee substitute reported favorably: March–April 2025.
    • House withdrawn and recommitted: April 4, 2025.
    • Adopted by the House and reported enrolled: May 23, 2025 (placed on congratulatory & memorial calendar and laid before the House that day).
  • Abolishment/termination date for the committee: December 1, 2025.

Potential impact

As a study resolution, HR 817 does not itself change law or procurement rules. Its principal effect is to generate findings and possible legislative recommendations on drone procurement, security protocols, data protection, and intergovernmental coordination — which could lead to future statutory proposals restricting use of certain foreign-made drones, changing procurement standards, or enhancing privacy/security safeguards.

Note on source consistency

The text of the resolution references Georgia law (Official Code of Georgia Annotated) and explicitly frames state-level policy. The accompanying sponsor list and some procedural labels match federal House formats. These elements appear inconsistent; readers should verify whether this version is a Georgia state House resolution or a congressional resolution in related records. Related companion measures listed: HR 833 and S 292.

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

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