Bill Summary
The "Coastal Drone Surveillance and Interdiction Assessment Act" is a legislative proposal that mandates the Secretary of Homeland Security to evaluate the use of drones for enhancing border security and combating drug smuggling activities across the United States coastline. Within 180 days of the bill's enactment, the Secretary must provide a comprehensive assessment to both the House and Senate Committees on Homeland Security. This assessment will analyze the effectiveness, risks, and potential benefits of deploying drones, particularly focusing on major trafficking routes and hard-to-reach communities. The goal of the legislation is to strengthen security measures and disrupt illegal drug trafficking operations along the U.S. coastline.
Possible Impacts
The Coastal Drone Surveillance and Interdiction Assessment Act could affect people in the following ways:
1. **Enhanced Border Security**: By deploying drones for surveillance, the legislation aims to improve border security along the U.S. coastline. This could result in increased safety for communities near the border, as enhanced surveillance may deter illegal activities such as drug trafficking and human smuggling. Residents may feel more secure knowing that there are additional measures in place to monitor and protect their areas.
2. **Impact on Local Communities**: The assessment will focus on remote and insular communities that may be affected by drug smuggling. Increased law enforcement presence via drone surveillance could lead to heightened scrutiny of these areas. While this may help reduce crime, it could also result in community tension or a feeling of being policed, especially if residents feel they are being unfairly targeted or monitored.
3. **Privacy Concerns**: The deployment of drones for surveillance raises concerns about privacy and civil liberties. Individuals living along the coastline may worry about being constantly monitored, leading to potential legal and ethical debates about surveillance practices. This legislation could spark discussions and opposition from civil rights groups advocating for privacy protections, influencing public opinion and policy on surveillance technology.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2775 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 2775
To require the Secretary of Homeland Security to assess drone
deployment to improve border security and disrupt maritime or low-
altitude drug smuggling along the United States coastline, and for
other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
April 9, 2025
Mr. Hernandez introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Homeland Security
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To require the Secretary of Homeland Security to assess drone
deployment to improve border security and disrupt maritime or low-
altitude drug smuggling along the United States coastline, and for
other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Coastal Drone Surveillance and
Interdiction Assessment Act''.
SEC. 2. ASSESSMENT OF DRONE DEPLOYMENT TO IMPROVE BORDER SECURITY AND
DISRUPT MARITIME OR LOW-ALTITUDE DRUG SMUGGLING ALONG THE
UNITED STATES COASTLINE.
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this
Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the heads
of relevant Federal departments or agencies as the Secretary determines
appropriate, shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security of the
House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs of the Senate an assessment of the effectiveness,
risks, and potential of drone deployment to improve border security and
disrupt maritime or low-altitude drug smuggling along the United States
coastline. Such assessment shall focus on major trafficking corridors
across the United States, as well as on communities in remote, insular,
or hard-to-reach areas.
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