S. 2173 — Introduced in Senate

II 116th Congress 1st Session S. 2173 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES July 18, 2019 Mr. Scott of Florida (for himself, Ms. Sinema, and Mr. Young) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation A BILL To amend title 14, United States Code, to enhance the land-based unmanned aircraft system program of the Coast Guard, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Coast Guard Drug Detection and Interdiction Act. 2. Land-based unmanned aircraft system program of the Coast Guard (a) Funding for certain enhanced capabilities Section 319 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: (c) Funding for certain enhanced capabilities In each of fiscal years 2020 and 2021, the Commandant may provide additional funding for the land-based unmanned aircraft system program in amounts, and for purposes, as follows: (1) $2,000,000 in each fiscal year for assessment of the expanded use of medium range unmanned aircraft systems within the program. (2) $5,000,000 in each fiscal year for additional long-range maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) within the program. . (b) Report on use of unmanned aircraft systems for certain surveillance (1) Report required Not later than March 31, 2021, the Commandant of the Coast Guard shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report setting forth an assessment of the feasibility and advisability of using unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) for surveillance of marine protected areas, the transit zone, and the Arctic in order to— (A) establish and maintain regular maritime domain awareness of such areas; (B) ensure appropriate response to illegal activities in such areas; and (C) collaborate with State, local, and tribal authorities, and international partners, in surveillance missions over their waters in such areas. (2) Appropriate committees of Congress defined In this subsection, the term appropriate committees of Congress means— (A) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate; and (B) the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives.