Drone Act of 2023
The Drone Act of 2023 amends federal law to criminalize specific dangerous drone uses, directly affecting individuals and organizations operating drones in prohibited ways. It creates new offenses for weaponizing drones (e.g., attaching firearms or explosives), using drones to transport contraband into prisons or across borders, interfering with emergency operations, and flying drones in restricted airspace near airports or critical infrastructure. Violations carry penalties of up to 20 years in prison or fines, with death penalty eligibility for cases causing fatalities. The law targets documented threats like drone-assisted smuggling at borders, contraband delivery to prisons, and safety hazards near airports, as noted in the bill’s findings.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2023
Committee Review
Floor Vote
President
Introduced Jan 31, 2023
Last action Jan 31, 2023
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
2
Key actions
0
Committee
1
Jan 31, 2023
Committee
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
upper
Jan 31, 2023
Introduced
Introduced in Senate
upper
1 primary · 5 co-sponsors
Sponsors
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