STAR Act UAS Protections

Summary#

This bill gives NASA and certain licensed space companies specific authority to detect and act against unmanned aircraft (drones) that pose a threat to covered facilities or covered property. For NASA, the Administrator may detect, identify, monitor, track, warn the operator, disrupt control (including by interfering with electronic communications), seize or exercise control of a drone, seize or confiscate a drone, or use reasonable force to disable, damage, or destroy a drone near a covered facility. Seized drones taken by NASA may be forfeited to the United States. NASA must post signs at covered facilities describing these actions and forfeiture. The Administrator must develop uniform policy in coordination with the Attorney General, Secretary of Defense, Secretary of Homeland Security, and FAA, consult yearly with local law enforcement about safe methods, and report to local law enforcement and specified federal committees and officials about instances and privacy protections. The bill removes any claim of absolute or qualified immunity by NASA and its employees for actions under the section, and it makes the drone operator liable for damages caused by mitigation actions.

The bill also adds similar authority for "covered entities"—people or entities licensed to conduct launch, reentry, testing, or manufacturing—over their covered property (including airspace). Those entities may take the same listed actions against drones. Drones seized by a covered entity are subject to forfeiture to the local law enforcement agency. Covered entities must post signs, consult yearly with local law enforcement, and report to local law enforcement and to the NASA Administrator within 30 days after taking disruptive or seizure actions. The bill defines key terms such as covered facility, covered entity, covered property, and references existing definitions for unmanned aircraft.

What it means for you#

• If you operate a drone near a NASA facility identified as "covered" or near a licensed launch or testing site, you could be detected, warned, disrupted, seized, or have your drone disabled or destroyed. Your drone could be forfeited and you could be held liable for damages caused by mitigation actions.
• Covered facilities and entities must post signage telling the public what actions they may take.
• Local law enforcement will be notified after disruptive or seizure actions, and federal committees and agencies will receive annual reports describing incidents and privacy protections.

Expenses#

No publicly available information.

Proponents' View#

The bill gives clear authority to NASA and licensed launch entities to respond to unmanned aircraft that threaten safety or security. It pairs that authority with required signage, coordination with federal and local law enforcement, reporting requirements, and directions to address privacy and civil liberties.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.