HR 6618

Wildfire Aerial Response Safety Act

Summary

Wildfire Aerial Response Safety Act This bill directs the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to study the effects of unmanned aircraft system (i.e., drone) incursions on wildfire suppression on public lands. Specifically, the FAA must study drone operations in any airspace for which the FAA issued a temporary flight restriction because of a wildfire on land managed by the Departments of Agriculture or the Interior. Among other things, the study must determine the number of occurrences over the last five years in which a drone incursion interfered with wildfire suppression and estimate the effects of each occurrence.  The study must also evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of (1) deploying counter-drone systems to detect, mitigate, and prevent drone incursions during wildfire suppression operations; and (2) disseminating educational materials related to the effects of the incursions on wildfire suppression operations. The FAA must submit a report to Congress on the study's findings and any related recommendations.

Bill status

Status: Passed House
Sponsor: Rep. Janelle S. Bynum [D-OR-5]
Cosponsors: 4
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Introduced: 2025-12-11
Latest action: 2026-03-25: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Committee referrals

Recent actions

2026-03-25: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
2026-03-24: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2026-03-24: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2654)
2026-03-24: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
2026-03-24: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6618.