U.S. Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) introduced a measure on Sept. 7 he said seeks to protect communities from drone threats.
The Stopping Harmful Incidents to Enforce Lawful Drone Use (SHIELD-U) Act, S. 4801, authorizes counter-UAS (Unmanned Aircraft Systems) activities on and off commercial service airport property and for other purposes.
“State and local law enforcement agencies cannot ensure the safety of their communities when the federal government restricts their ability to respond to active drone threats,” Lee said. “Rather than waiting on the federal government, which often lacks the resources and capital to respond to threats effectively, this bill grants local authorities the latitude to quickly identify and mitigate threats.”
The measure equips state and local law enforcement with the authority needed to protect citizens and communities from drone threats, the senator said, adding the need to respond to drone threats is increasing amid commercial and personal use becoming more widespread.
The bill empowers the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in addition to state and local law enforcement, to detect, identify and reduce drone threats on commercial service airport property that includes the airspace involved in the takeoff and landing of aircraft.
The bill also grants state and local law enforcement similar counter-drone authority within their respective jurisdiction, according to a summary of the measure.