H.R. 9229: Seaport Security Act of 2026

This bill would create new federal rules aimed at keeping drones and other unmanned aircraft away from certain seaports.

What counts as a covered seaport

The bill defines a seaport as port facilities such as piers, wharves, docks, and nearby areas that handle at least 1 million tons of commercial or military cargo each year, or that routinely process overnight cruise passengers.

It also defines a protected area of airspace above these ports, generally the airspace from the ground up to 1,000 feet, plus any extra area the FAA says is needed to protect port infrastructure.

New drone restrictions

The bill would make it unlawful to operate a drone or drone system in the protected airspace over a covered seaport, unless the operation is specifically allowed.

It would also prohibit flying a drone in any way that interferes with, disrupts, or degrades a seaport’s security, operations, communications, or navigation systems, no matter how high the drone is flying.

Allowed drone operations

The ban would not apply to certain authorized flights, including:

• Operations by the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Defense, or other federal agencies acting under legal authority
• State or local law enforcement flights with prior notice to the FAA and the Coast Guard
• Flights by a seaport or its contractor for operational, safety, or security purposes, with notice to the FAA and Coast Guard
• Flights specifically authorized by an FAA waiver
• Emergency flights needed to respond to an immediate threat to people or property, as long as the FAA and Coast Guard are notified as soon as practical

Enforcement and penalties

The bill would authorize the FAA and seaports to detect, stop, seize, and disable drones operating in the protected airspace, except for flights that are allowed under the bill.

Someone who violates the law could face a civil penalty of up to $25,000 for each violation, and the drone could be seized or forfeited.

If someone willfully violates the ban or interferes with port security, they could also face criminal penalties, including fines and up to 2 years in prison. If the conduct is done with the intent to surveil, damage, disrupt, or help criminal or terrorist activity, the penalty could increase to up to 10 years in prison.

Rulemaking

Within 180 days after enactment, the FAA Administrator would have to issue regulations to carry out the law, including deciding which airspace is covered and how notifications should work.

Relevant Companies

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