H.R. 10304House119th Congress (2025-2027)In Committee

Drone Safety Statement Modernization Act

Introduced September 8, 2026

AI-Generated Summary

Updated September 9, 2026 at 3:17 PM UTC

The Drone Safety Statement Modernization Act updates U.S. law for small unmanned aircraft (drones). It requires manufacturers to give new owners a safety statement that explains the rules, airspace limits, and possible penalties, and to have owners electronically confirm they understand it. The FAA must create the statement requirements, provide an example template, and review the guidance at least once a year.

Key Provisions

  • Manufacturers must provide a safety statement to the first operator when the drone is first activated and obtain electronic acknowledgment that the operator has read it.
  • The FAA Administrator must develop and maintain the content requirements for the safety statement, covering applicable laws, airspace restrictions, how to determine lawful operation, safety recommendations, possible consequences for violations, and the statement’s creation date.
  • Within 120 days of the law’s enactment, the FAA must publish an example safety statement that meets the new requirements, though manufacturers are not forced to use that exact template.
  • The FAA must review and, if needed, update the safety‑statement requirements and example at least once every 18 months, and then annually thereafter.
  • A related provision repeals a prior conforming amendment in the FAA Extension, Safety, and Security Act of 2016.

Legislative Activity

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5 earlier actions
HouseCommittee Latest Action

Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

September 15, 2026

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

September 8, 2026

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

September 8, 2026

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.

September 9, 2026

HouseCommittee

Subcommittee on Aviation Discharged

September 15, 2026

HouseCommittee

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

September 15, 2026

HouseCommittee

Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

September 15, 2026

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued September 8, 2026

I

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 10304

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

September 8, 2026

Mr. Gallagher introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

A BILL

To amend title 49, United States Code, to revise small unmanned aircraft system safety standards, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Drone Safety Statement Modernization Act.

2.

Drone safety statement modernization

(a)

In general

Section 44805 of title 49, United States Code, is amended—

(1)

in subsection (h) by inserting (excluding requirements under subsection (i)) after requirements of this section; and

(2)

by adding at the end the following:

(i)

Safety statements

(1)

In general

The manufacturer of a small unmanned aircraft system shall—

(A)

make available to the initial operator of such system the safety statement described in paragraph (2) at the time such operator activates such system for the first time; and

(B)

require such operator to electronically acknowledge that the operator has read and understands each component of the safety statement.

(2)

Requirements

The Administrator shall develop, maintain, and periodically review and revise requirements for the safety statement required under paragraph (1), which shall include—

(A)

information on, and sources of, laws and regulations applicable to the operation of small unmanned aircraft systems, including—

(i)

authorizations or regulations depending on the type of operation an individual is conducting and the qualifications or certification of the individual operating such system; and

(ii)

requirements regarding the operation of a small unmanned aircraft system under section 44809;

(B)

information on temporary flight restrictions, airspace restrictions specific to unmanned aircraft systems, and other types of airspace restrictions;

(C)

methods approved by the Administrator for determining whether the operation of a small unmanned aircraft system in particular airspace is lawful or unlawful;

(D)

recommendations for using small unmanned aircraft systems in a manner that promotes the safety of persons and property;

(E)

potential consequences for operating a small unmanned aircraft system in an unsafe or unlawful manner, including—

(i)

potential consequences for operating such a system in restricted airspace; and

(ii)

any enforcement action the Administrator may pursue against an individual operating a small unmanned aircraft system who endangers the safety of the national airspace system; and

(F)

the date on which the safety statement was created or last modified.

(3)

Example statement

(A)

In general

Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this subsection, the Administrator shall issue and thereafter maintain an example safety statement that satisfies the requirements of paragraph (2).

(B)

Restriction

The Administrator may not require a manufacturer of a small unmanned aircraft system to use the example statement issued and maintained under subparagraph (A).

.

(b)

Update of safety statement

Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall review and revise, if necessary, the requirements for the safety statement and the example safety statement for small unmanned aircraft systems as required under section 44805(i) of title 49, United States Code (as added by subsection (a)).

(c)

Conforming amendment

Section 2203 of the FAA Extension, Safety, and Security Act of 2016 (49 U.S.C. 44801 note) and the item relating to such section in section 1(b) of such Act are repealed.