The Directing Resources for Officers Navigating Emergencies Act of 2025 (DRONE Act of 2025) would expand the eligible uses of certain Department of Justice grant programs to explicitly include the purchase and operation of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS, i.e., drones) for public safety. Specifically, the bill adds UAS as an authorized use under Byrne Grants (Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act) and creates an eligible use for UAS under COPS Grants, both referencing the FAA-defined meaning of UAS. In effect, agencies that receive these DOJ grants could use a portion of those funds to buy and operate drones to support law enforcement and other public safety activities. The act does not create new funding; it repurposes existing grant authorities to cover UAS-related purchases and operations.
Key Points
- 1Short title: The act may be cited as the Directing Resources for Officers Navigating Emergencies Act of 2025 (DRONE Act of 2025).
- 2Byrne Grants expanded: Section 501(a)(1) of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act is amended to add a new program category allowing the use of Byrne Grant funds to purchase and operate unmanned aircraft systems for public safety.
- 3COPS Grants expanded: Section 1701(b) of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act is amended to add a new eligible use for COPS Grants—“to purchase and operate unmanned aircraft systems to benefit public safety”—and to adjust paragraph numbering accordingly.
- 4Definition reference: “Unmanned aircraft systems” are defined as in section 44801 of title 49, United States Code (the FAA’s definition of UAS).
- 5Scope and intent: Applies to DOJ grant programs aimed at public safety; enables agencies receiving these grants to fund drones as part of their public-safety operations.