What This Bill Does · Plain English
Summary · Congress.gov
Wildfire Aerial Response Safety Act 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.
Action Timeline
2026-03-25
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
2026-03-24
Mr. Taylor moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
2026-03-24
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2654-2655)
2026-03-24
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2654)
2026-03-24
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
2026-03-24
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6618.
2026-03-24
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2026-03-16
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 471.
2026-03-16
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 119-548.
2026-03-16
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 119-548.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did HR.6618 pass?
HR.6618 is still alive. Current stage: PASSED_ONE. Pass likelihood: pending.
What does HR.6618 do?
Wildfire Aerial Response Safety Act 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 e…
Who sponsored HR.6618?
HR.6618 was sponsored by Janelle S. Bynum (D-Oregon).
Full Bill Text
119 HR 6618 EH: Wildfire Aerial Response Safety Act U.S. House of Representatives text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. IB 119th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 6618 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AN ACT To require the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to conduct a study on drone incursions on wildfire suppression, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Wildfire Aerial Response Safety Act . 2. Study on drone incursions on wildfire suppression (a) Definitions In this section: (1) Counter-UASsystem; Unmanned aircraft system The terms counter-UAS system and unmanned aircraft system have the meanings given such terms in section 44801 of title 49, United States Code. (2) Unmanned aircraft system incursion The term unmanned aircraft system incursion means the operation of an unmanned aircraft system within any airspace for which the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration has issued a temporary flight restriction because of a wildfire. (b) Study required The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, in consultation with the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service, shall conduct a study on the effects of unmanned aircraft system incursions on wildfire suppression with respect to land managed by the Department of the Interior or the Department of Agriculture. (c) Study contents In conducting the study required under subsection (b), the Administrator shall— (1) determine, for each of the 5 most recent calendar years— (A) the number of occurrences in which a unmanned aircraft system incursion has interfered with wildfire suppression; and (B) the estimated effect of each occurrence described in subparagraph (A) on— (i) the length of time required to achieve complete suppression; (ii) any associated delay in the fielding of aerial firefighting response units; and (iii) the amounts expended by the Federal Government; and (2) evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of— (A) the dissemination of educational materials relating to the effects of unmanned aircraft system incursions on wildfire suppression operations; and (B) the deployment of approved counter-UAS systems by authorized entities as a means to detect, mitigate, and prevent unmanned aircraft system incursions during such operations. (d) Report Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, the Committee on Appropriations, and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources, the Committee on Appropriations, and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report describing— (1) the findings of the study required under subsection (b); and (2) any recommendations relating to those findings. Passed the House of Representatives March 24, 2026. Kevin F. McCumber, Clerk.
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