US Representative Greg Steube of Florida this week led a bipartisan coalition to introduce the Disabling Enemy Flight Entry and Neutralizing Suspect Equipment (DEFENSE) Act, legislation that permits trained state and local law enforcement officers to intercept and disable hostile uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) at stadiums and other large-scale events protected by temporary flight restrictions.
Current law authorises only federal authorities to counter rogue drone incursions. The DEFENSE Act would change that by authorising the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) to extend temporary authority to state and local officers, provided they receive proper training and oversight, to use approved counter-UAS technology to detect, monitor, and respond to airborne threats. Authorised equipment would be limited to systems approved by DHS in coordination with DOJ, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). The bill also requires full federal oversight and compliance with airspace and privacy laws.
Representatives Steube partnered with five of his House colleagues on the proposal: Representatives Rudy Yakym (R-Ind.), Cory Mills (R-Fla.), Dina Titus (D-Nev.), Jill Tokuda (D-Hawaii), and Lou Correa (D-Calif.) as well as Senators Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) who have proposed companion legislation in the Senate.
The legislation also has the backing of national sports organisations, including the NFL, MLB, NCAA, and NASCAR, which have all expressed support for expanding drone countermeasure authority to protect fans, players, and event staff.
David Thomas, Major League Baseball (MLB) Senior Vice President of Security and Ballpark Operations, said the organisation has long recognised the threat that unauthorised drones pose to its 30 stadiums nationwide, and has urged Congress to take the requisite steps to provide law enforcement with the tools and authority necessary to protect fans, players, and employees.
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