Alongside Rep. Nehls, Bipartisan Legislation Would Allow Local Law Enforcement To Use Federal Grants To Purchase And Operate Drones
Bipartisan Legislation Supported By Local Orange County Sheriff Passes House in NDAA, Awaits Senate Passage
WASHINGTON — Today, Representative Lou Correa (D-CA), alongside Representative Troy Nehls (R-TX), announced that their Directing Resources for Officers Navigating Emergencies (DRONE) Act of 2025 was included in the National Defense Reauthorization Act of 2025 (NDAA), annual defense funding legislation, which was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives with bipartisan support. Correa and Nehls’ bipartisan effort, supported by local Sheriff's departments, would allow law enforcement to use federal grants to purchase and operate drones. As part of the NDAA, it now heads to the U.S. Senate for passage and eventual signing into law by the President.
“Hard-working taxpayers on Main Street deserve a community that is safe and secure, and their children deserve safe communities to grow and thrive in. And giving our public safety officers the tools they need to protect and defend the communities they swore an oath to serve is how we make that safer future a reality,” Correa said. “Drones continue to play an ever-growing role in protecting our communities and responding to emergencies in a safer manner. By continuing to unlock their potential we can save taxpayers millions and make our streets safer. It’s a win-win.”
Drones are an important tool for law enforcement agencies and can be used to help with bomb squad missions, responses to hazardous materials spills, traffic collision investigations, post-incident crime scene preservation and documentation, and search and rescue missions. This legislation would add drones as an eligible expense to the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant and Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grants programs.
“Providing law enforcement the tools they need to counter emerging drone threats is essential to public safety. Passage of the Safer Skies Act and the Drone Act are critical steps toward that goal. The Safer Skies Act equips local law enforcement with the technology necessary to stop malicious drone activity, while the Drone Act provides access to federal funding to acquire that technology and other vital drone-response equipment. I am grateful for the bipartisan work on this major law enforcement priority,” said Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes.
Currently, the purchasing and operation of drones are not eligible expenses under the U.S. Bureau of Justice Assistance’s Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant and COPS grants programs. The DRONE Act allows these federal grant funds to be used to purchase and operate drones so that more first responders can access these critical tools.
“Our men and women in blue should be equipped with the most updated and efficient tools to protect and defend our communities,” said Nehls. “The DRONE Act of 2025 allows law enforcement to purchase and operate unmanned aircraft systems, keeping officers out of the line of fire, and resulting in safer streets. This bill is common sense, and I’m pleased to see it pass the House as part of the FY26 NDAA.”
This legislation has also been endorsed by: Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, National Fraternal Order of Police, Peace Officers Research Association of California, Major County Sheriffs of America, California Police Chiefs’ Association.
“There is no question that UAS technologies have been effectively used by law enforcement agencies to enhance both public safety and the safety of the brave men and women who protect and serve our communities,” said Mathew Silverman, President of the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association. “Allowing federal Byrne/JAG funds to be used to purchase and operate UAS systems provides even more state and local agencies with access to this lifesaving technology, and we appreciate the leadership of Reps. Correa and Nehls in offering this important legislation.”
“The use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), or drones, by law enforcement is growing because the devices can be so broadly applied in many public safety situations. Missing person searches, gathering information at crime scenes, monitoring large-scale events involving crowds, all of these uses have made drones a valuable asset to many law enforcement agencies,” said Patrick Yoes, National President of the Fraternal Order of Police. “The legislation sponsored by Representatives Correa and Nehls would allow local and State agencies to use Federal funds to help purchase and operate drones for public safety purposes. It’s an important investment in technology and we’re proud to support the legislation and we’re grateful to Representatives Correa and Nehls for their leadership.”
“The Major County Sheriffs of America (MCSA) commends Congressmen Correa and Nehls for their leadership in introducing the Directing Resources for Officers Navigating Emergencies (DRONE) Act of 2025,” said Megan Noland, Executive Director of Major County Sheriffs of America. “By adding unmanned aircraft systems as an eligible expense to the Byrne and COPS grant programs, we can equip law enforcement with the best technology to protect communities and respond to emergencies effectively. This bill will help ensure that law enforcement agencies across the country have the resources necessary to enhance public safety and improve their response capabilities.”
You can read the original text of this legislation HERE.
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