CORREA, NEHLS INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO PROVIDE DRONE FUNDING FOR LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT
Bipartisan Legislation Would Allow Law Enforcement To Use Federal Grants To Purchase And Operate Drones
WASHINGTON — Today, Representatives Lou Correa (D-CA) and Troy Nehls (R-TX) introduced the bipartisan Directing Resources for Officers Navigating Emergencies (DRONE) Act of 2025. This bipartisan legislation would allow law enforcement to use federal grants to purchase and operate unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) or “drones.”
“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.
“As a former law enforcement officer and Sheriff, I know how important it is for our nation’s law enforcement officers to have all the tools they need to protect and defend our communities,” Nehls said. “I’m proud to introduce this common-sense bill with Congressman Correa, which would allow law enforcement to purchase drones to make our communities safer.”
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.
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.
“Unmanned Aerial Systems have become an important tool for law enforcement. Agencies like the Orange County Sheriff’s Department use a UAS program for post-incident crime scene preservation, bomb squad missions, response to hazardous materials spills, traffic collision investigations, and search and rescue missions,” said Sheriff Barnes of the Orange County Sheriff's Department. “UAS programs can also provide critical information for life preservation missions such as barricaded suspects, hostage situations, active shooters, apprehension of armed and dangerous and/ or violent suspects, and high-risk search warrants. The DRONE Act will authorize the use of critical federal funds to purchase UAS equipment and build out programs to improve the safety of our local communities.”
"The DRONE Act represents a crucial step forward in modernizing law enforcement capabilities across America and addressing the public safety challenges we face today,” said Brian R. Marvel, President of the Peace Officers Research Association of California (PORAC). “By enabling agencies to utilize existing grant program funds for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), this legislation will help departments of all sizes access technology that enhances officer and public safety, improves response times and operational efficiency, and provides a cost-effective alternative to traditional aerial methods. Thank you, Representative Correa, for your leadership in ensuring officers have access to the resources they need to effectively serve our communities. This is exactly the kind of common-sense approach we need.”
“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 full text of this legislation HERE.
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