Skip to main content
HR 6618 119th Congress House Transportation and Public Works Aviation and airports Congressional oversight Fires Forests, forestry, trees Government studies and investigations Transportation safety and security

Wildfire Aerial Response Safety Act

Introduced: December 11, 2025 Introduced by: Bynum, Janelle S. Democratic · Oregon See on congress.gov
Sign in to write a letter Sign in to watch
 Everywhere this bill has been 14 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Mar 25, 2026
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Mar 24, 2026
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Mar 24, 2026
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2654)
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.
Mar 24, 2026
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6618.
Mar 24, 2026
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2654-2655)
Mar 24, 2026
Mr. Taylor moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Mar 16, 2026
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 471.
Mar 16, 2026
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 119-548.
Jan 21, 2026
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Jan 21, 2026
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Dec 12, 2025
Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.
Dec 11, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
Dec 11, 2025
Introduced in House
 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

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.

What's happening now March 25, 2026

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

 Committees of jurisdiction 3
 Cosponsors 4
All 4 Democratic 2 Republican 2