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SB 5302

Prohibiting the purchase of small unmanned aircrafts manufactured or assembled by a covered foreign entity.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Matt Boehnke and 2 co-sponsors

Public entities in Washington cannot purchase, fund, or operate small unmanned aircraft systems manufactured or assembled by covered foreign entities starting July 1, 2026.

First reading, referred to Law & Justice.
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Bill Summary · SB 5302

Summary of SB 5302 (2025) – Washington State

Overview

SB 5302 aims to restrict the purchase, funding, and operation of small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) by state and local public entities if the aircraft are manufactured or assembled by a “covered foreign entity.” The bill establishes procurement and funding prohibitions and sets a future date when public entities may not operate such devices.

Purpose and intent

  • To prevent state and local agencies (including law enforcement) from acquiring or using sUAS manufactured or assembled by entities deemed to be connected to certain foreign governments or restricted lists.
  • To reduce reliance on foreign-sourced unmanned aircraft in public sector operations.

Key provisions

  • New section added to RCW Chapter 43.17 establishing:
    1) Prohibition on purchase or acquisition: No state or local agency shall purchase or otherwise acquire a small unmanned aircraft system manufactured or assembled by a covered foreign entity.
    2) Public funds restriction: State or local agency funds may not be used for such sUAS, including funds awarded through contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, or other public channels.
    3) Prohibition on operation (when effective): On or after July 1, 2026, a public entity shall not operate an sUAS manufactured or assembled by a covered foreign entity.

  • Definitions (Section 1, new RCW language):

    • “Agency”: Same meaning as RCW 42.56.010 (Open Public Records Act framework for defining government entities).
    • “Covered foreign entity”: Includes entities on specified U.S. government lists (Consolidated Screening List or Entity List, supplement No. 4 to 15 C.F.R. Part 744, as published by the U.S. Department of Commerce on the effective date), plus entities domiciled in or controlled by the People’s Republic of China or the Russian Federation, or subsidiaries/affiliates of such entities.
    • “Small unmanned aircraft system”: An unmanned, powered aircraft operated without direct human intervention on board; may be expendable or recoverable; weighs less than 55 pounds (including attached payloads).

  • Effective date (Section 2):

    • The act becomes effective January 1, 2026.
    • The prohibition on operation by public entities takes effect July 1, 2026.

Definitions of scope and affected parties

  • Affected entities: State and local public entities, including law enforcement agencies.
  • Not directly addressing private purchases by individuals or private organizations unless they fall under a public entity’s procurement or use scenario.

Timeline and legislative status

  • Introduced and first read: January 16, 2025.
  • Status: First reading, referred to the Law & Justice Committee.
  • Key dates in the bill: Effective date January 1, 2026; operating prohibition begins July 1, 2026.

Potential impact and considerations

  • Public procurement: Agencies must verify supply chains and avoid sourcing sUAS from covered foreign entities.
  • Public funding: Contracts, grants, and other public funds cannot support these sUAS from covered entities.
  • Transition considerations: Agencies may need to identify compliant suppliers and possibly maintain inventories or alternatives prior to the July 2026 prohibition on operation.
  • Compliance framework: The bill relies on federal listing criteria (Covered Foreign Entity definitions) and associated commerce lists, linking state policy to federal disclosures.

Note: The bill as introduced does not specify penalties for noncompliance or a detailed enforcement mechanism beyond the prohibitions and funding restrictions.

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

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