H.R. 6618

119 HR 6618 EH: Wildfire Aerial Response Safety Act
 U.S. House of Representatives
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 IB
 119th CONGRESS  2d Session
 H. R. 6618
 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
 AN ACT
To require the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to conduct a study on drone incursions on wildfire suppression, and for other purposes.
1.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the   Wildfire Aerial Response Safety Act  .
2.
Study on drone incursions on wildfire suppression
(a)
Definitions
In this section:
(1)
Counter-UASsystem; Unmanned aircraft system
The terms  counter-UAS system  and  unmanned aircraft system  have the meanings given such terms in section 44801 of title 49, United States Code.
(2)
Unmanned aircraft system incursion
The term  unmanned aircraft system incursion  means the operation of an unmanned aircraft system within any airspace for which the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration has issued a temporary flight restriction because of a wildfire.
(b)
Study required
The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, in consultation with the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service, shall conduct a study on the effects of unmanned aircraft system incursions on wildfire suppression with respect to land managed by the Department of the Interior or the Department of Agriculture.
(c)
Study contents
In conducting the study required under subsection (b), the Administrator shall—
(1)
determine, for each of the 5 most recent calendar years—
(A)
the number of occurrences in which a unmanned aircraft system incursion has interfered with wildfire suppression; and
(B)
the estimated effect of each occurrence described in subparagraph (A) on—
(i)
the length of time required to achieve complete suppression;
(ii)
any associated delay in the fielding of aerial firefighting response units; and
(iii)
the amounts expended by the Federal Government; and
(2)
evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of—
(A)
the dissemination of educational materials relating to the effects of unmanned aircraft system incursions on wildfire suppression operations; and
(B)
the deployment of approved counter-UAS systems by authorized entities as a means to detect, mitigate, and prevent unmanned aircraft system incursions during such operations.
(d)
Report
Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, the Committee on Appropriations, and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources, the Committee on Appropriations, and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report describing—
(1)
the findings of the study required under subsection (b); and
(2)
any recommendations relating to those findings.
    Passed the House of Representatives March 24, 2026.  Kevin F. McCumber,  Clerk.