June 9, 2026
Mr. Patronis (for himself and Mr. Haridopolos) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
To protect seaports from unmanned aircraft systems, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Seaport Security Act of 2026
.
Sec. 2. Findings
Congress finds that—
(1)
drone technology has the potential to revolutionize commerce, military operations, law enforcement, and numerous industries throughout the United States;
(2)
drone technology also presents a significant potential danger to public safety and national security;
(3)
drone technology is increasingly being deployed for criminal purposes, including drug trafficking, human trafficking, smuggling, and illegal reconnaissance;
(4)
seaports in the United States are a potential target for unmanned aircraft and drones;
(5)
a drone attack on a seaport would pose a serious threat to the national and economic security of the United States;
(6)
there are over 300 seaports in the United States which collectively handle 2.6 billion tons of cargo and 26 million cruise ship passengers each year; and
(7)
current Federal law does not provide sufficient protection for seaports from drone attacks.
Sec. 3. Restriction on unmanned aircraft at seaports
(a) In general
Chapter 2 of title 18, United States Code, is amended—
(1)
in section 31(b)—
(A)
by striking and
and inserting special
;special
(B)
by inserting unmanned aircraft, and unmanned aircraft system
before have the meanings
; and
(C)
by inserting , 44801,
before and 46501
;
(2)
in section 40A(c)—
(A)
by striking paragraph (1); and
(B)
by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) as paragraphs (1) and (2), respectively; and
(3)
by adding at the end the following:
40B. Operation of unauthorized unmanned aircraft over seaports
(a) Definitions
In this section:
(1) Administrator
The term Administrator means the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration.
(2) Covered airspace
The term covered airspace means—
(A)
the airspace above a seaport extending from the surface up to 1,000 feet above ground level; and
(B)
any additional lateral or vertical airspace designated by the Administrator, as necessary to protect maritime infrastructure at a seaport.
(3) Multi-day cruise passengers
The term multi-day cruise passengers means individuals who embark on a cruise itinerary from a seaport lasting more than one calendar day requiring overnight accommodations aboard the vessel.
(4) Seaport
The term seaport means all piers, wharves, docks, and similar structures adjacent to any waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, to which a vessel may be secured, including areas of land, water, or land and water under and in immediate proximity to such structures, buildings on or contiguous to such structures, and the equipment and materials on such structures or in such buildings, and which handle at least one million tons of commercial or military cargo annually or routinely process multi-day cruise passengers.
(b) Prohibited operations
Except as authorized under subsection (c), no person may operate an unmanned aircraft or unmanned aircraft system within covered airspace.
(c) Authorized operations
The prohibition in subsection (b) shall not apply to operations—
(1)
conducted by the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Defense, or any other Federal agency under statutory authority;
(2)
conducted by State or local law enforcement with prior notification to the Federal Aviation Administration and the Coast Guard;
(3)
conducted by a seaport, or a contracted entity, for operational, safety, or security purposes with notice to the Federal Aviation Administration and the Coast Guard;
(4)
authorized under a waiver issued by the Administrator; or
(5)
necessary to respond to an emergency involving an immediate threat to human life or property, provided that the operator notifies the Federal Aviation Administration and the Coast Guard as soon as practicable.
(d) Interference with port security
No person may operate an unmanned aircraft or unmanned aircraft system in a manner that interferes with, interrupts, or degrades the security, operations, communications, or navigational systems of a seaport, regardless of altitude.
(e) Enforcement
The Federal Aviation Administration and seaports are authorized to detect, mitigate, seize, and disable any unmanned aircraft operating in covered airspace (other than unmanned aircraft operating in accordance with subsection (c)).
(f) Civil penalties
A person who violates this section shall be subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $25,000 per violation, and the unmanned aircraft involved may be seized or forfeited.
(g) Criminal penalties
A person who willfully violates subsection (b) or (d)—
(1)
shall be subject to a fine under this title, imprisoned for not more than 2 years, or both; and
(2)
if the violation is committed with the intent to surveil, damage, disrupt, or facilitate criminal or terrorist activity, shall be subject to a fine under this title, imprisoned for not more than 10 years, or both.
(h) Rulemaking
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall issue regulations to implement this section, including designation of covered airspaces and appropriate notification procedures.
(b) Clerical amendment
The table of sections for chapter 2 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: