S 473 Reported in Senate - American Security Drone Act

Last month, the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee published their Report on S 473 [removed from paywall], the American Security Drone Act of 2023. The Committee considered the bill during a business meeting on May 17^th, 2023. The bill was ordered reported without amendment by a recorded vote of 9 to 1.

The bill includes various measures to reduce the use of drones made in certain countries (primarily China) from being bought, used, or operated by agencies of the Federal government. It also outlines a ‘government-wide’ policy on drone acquisition, which includes cybersecurity language.

The report does not contain an ‘Alternative Views’ section where Committee Members would explicate their opposition to the legislation.

CBO Cost Estimate

The Report includes a copy (pgs 7-8) of the Congressional Budge Office’s (CBO’s) cost estimate for implementation of the bill’s requirements. The CBO notes that:

“Based on the costs of similar requirements, CBO estimates that the affected agencies would incur an additional $1 million in administrative and personnel costs to comply with the bill’s requirements. Any spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds.”