H.R. 6618 Passed the House Transportation and Public Works

Wildfire Aerial Response Safety 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. Introduced
  2. Committee
  3. Passed House
  4. Passed Senate
  5. To President
  6. Became law
Sponsor Rep. Bynum, Janelle S. [D-OR-5] Introduced December 11, 2025 Cosponsors 4 (2 R, 2 D) Latest action March 25, 2026

Summary

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.

Summary by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.

Congress.gov

Actions

  1. Mar 25, 2026 Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
  2. Mar 24, 2026 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  3. Mar 24, 2026 On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2654)
  4. Mar 24, 2026 Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
  5. Mar 24, 2026 DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6618.
  6. Mar 24, 2026 Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2654-2655)
  7. Mar 24, 2026 Mr. Taylor moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
  8. Mar 16, 2026 Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 471.
  9. Mar 16, 2026 Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 119-548.
  10. Jan 21, 2026 Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
  11. Jan 21, 2026 Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
  12. Dec 12, 2025 Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.

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