H.R. 8697: Guard the Skies Act

This bill, known as the **Guard the Skies Act**, aims to enhance national security by allowing the National Guard to protect specific facilities and assets from threats posed by unmanned aircraft, commonly known as drones. Here's a breakdown of its key components:

Amendments to the Homeland Security Act of 2002

The bill makes several modifications to the Homeland Security Act of 2002, specifically in Section 210G, which focuses on the roles of various government entities in safeguarding against threats from unmanned aircraft:

• Inclusion of the Department of Defense: The Secretary of Defense is given a role alongside the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in coordinating actions against unmanned aircraft threats.
• State Requests: The Secretary of Defense can respond to requests from state executives to protect against unmanned aircraft at certain facilities, enhancing collaboration between state officials and federal agencies.

Authorization for National Guard Actions

The bill introduces a new section (130j) within Title 10 of the United States Code that provides clearer authority for the National Guard to intervene in situations involving unmanned aircraft, under specific conditions:

• Missions Authorized: The National Guard can be authorized to undertake protective measures against unmanned aircraft if requested by a state executive and approved by the Secretary of Defense.
• Duty Requirements: National Guard members must be on active duty or assigned to specific tasks related to the protection against unmanned aircraft to engage in these protective actions.

Changes to Active Duty Regulations

The bill also amends the procedures for activating members of the Selected Reserve or Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) to active duty. This new language implies that members may be activated not only in times of war or national emergency but also for missions to protect against unmanned aircraft, thereby broadening the circumstances under which they can be mobilized.

Field Exercise and Training Inclusion

Finally, the bill updates regulations regarding required drills and field exercises for National Guard members to explicitly include training and exercises that support the new activities authorized under section 130j, ensuring that these operations become an integral part of their training regimen.

Relevant Companies

• DJI Technology - As a leading manufacturer of drones, DJI could be directly impacted by increased regulations and protective measures against unmanned aircraft operations.
• Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL) - The parent company of Google, which is involved in drone delivery systems, may face operational changes or increased scrutiny under new regulations.
• Palantir Technologies - Known for data analytics and security solutions, changes in drone use and protection could affect its government contracts and operational focus.