SAFER SKIES Act

The SAFER SKIES Act (S 3481) grants state, local, tribal, and territorial law enforcement and correctional agencies new authority to counter drone threats to public safety and critical infrastructure, including venues for large gatherings and correctional facilities. It requires these agencies to complete federal training and certification before using counter-drone technologies, and mandates 48-hour notifications to federal authorities after taking action. The bill establishes a national training program, creates reporting requirements for agencies using these authorities, and provides funding for purchasing counter-UAS systems through existing grant programs. It also increases penalties for unauthorized drone use near prisons and in national defense airspace, with state and local counter-drone authorities set to expire in 2031.