Wildfire Aerial Response Safety Act
Introduced Dec 11, 2025 by Rep. Janelle S. Bynum
The House passed it. The Senate has to pass it before it can reach the President.
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.
Summary by the Congressional Research Service.
No recorded roll-call vote on this bill — it may have passed by voice vote or unanimous consent, which don't record individual votes.
- Mar 25, 2026Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- Mar 24, 2026Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Mar 24, 2026On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2654)
- Mar 24, 2026Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
- Mar 24, 2026DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6618.
- Mar 24, 2026Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2654-2655)
- Mar 24, 2026Mr. Taylor moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- Mar 16, 2026Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 471.
- Mar 16, 2026Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 119-548.
- Jan 21, 2026Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
- Jan 21, 2026Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Dec 12, 2025Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.
- Dec 11, 2025Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- Dec 11, 2025Introduced in House