SB3729 - Unmanned Aerial Systems Security Act

• Government agencies may only use drones from manufacturers meeting minimum security requirements and cannot purchase drones from countries of concern (China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, Venezuela, Syria) or companies owned/controlled by those countries.

• Establishes three drone tiers with increasing restrictions: Tier 1 (no data collection), Tier 2 (flight control data only), and Tier 3 (any data including video/audio), with Tier 2 and 3 requiring specific encryption and component sourcing standards.

• Department of Transportation must identify sensitive location coordinates (military sites, power stations, critical infrastructure) and require flight mapping software providers to geofence these areas to prevent unauthorized drone flights, with Class A misdemeanor penalties for violations.

• Government agencies using non-compliant drones on January 1, 2025 may request reimbursement from the Unmanned Aerial Systems Security Reimbursement Fund for replacement costs if requests are submitted by April 1, 2025.

• Exempts drones used for research and accountability purposes and law enforcement activities; prohibits local governments from regulating drones inconsistently with this Act; effective January 1, 2025.