Section 1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the “DHS Countering Unmanned Aircraft Systems Coordinator Act”.
DHS Countering Unmanned Aircraft Systems Coordinator Act
A BILL
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to establish in the Department of Homeland Security an Unmanned Aircraft Systems Coordinator, and for other purposes.
Sec. 2 Unmanned Aircraft Systems Countermeasures Coordinator
In general— Title III of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 181 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new section:
“321. Countering Unmanned Aircraft Systems Coordinator
“(a) Coordinator—The Secretary shall designate an official of the Department as the Countering Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Coordinator (in this section referred to as the “Coordinator”) to coordinate with relevant Department offices and components, including the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties and the Privacy Office and other relevant Federal agencies, as appropriate, on the development of policies and plans to counter threats associated with UAS, including the following:
“(1) Countering UAS that may be used in a terrorist attack.
“(2) Promoting research and development of counter UAS technologies.
“(3) Ensuring the dissemination of information and guidance related to countering UAS threats.
“(4) Serving as the Department point of contact for Federal, State, local, and Tribal law enforcement entities and the private sector regarding the Department’s activities related to countering UAS.
“(5) Carrying out other related UAS activities, as directed by the Secretary.
“(b) Coordination with applicable Federal laws—The Coordinator shall, in addition to other assigned duties, coordinate with relevant Department offices and components and other relevant Federal agencies, as appropriate, to ensure testing, evaluation, or deployment of a system used to identify, assess, or defeat a UAS is carried out in accordance with applicable Federal laws.
“(c) Coordination with private sector—The Coordinator shall, working with the Office of Partnership and Engagement and other relevant Department offices and components, or other Federal agencies, as appropriate, serve as the principal Department official responsible for disseminating to the private sector information regarding counter UAS technology, particularly information regarding instances in which counter UAS technology may impact lawful private sector services or systems.”
Clerical amendment— The table of contents in section 1(b) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 320 the following new item: