HR 9229: Seaport Security Act of 2026

HR 9229 in plain English: This bill would restrict or regulate the use of unmanned aircraft (drones) in or around seaports, establishing civil penalties for violations.

Stated purpose

To protect U.S. seaports from threats posed by unauthorized drones and unmanned aircraft systems by restricting drone operations in airspace above seaports and establishing civil and criminal penalties for violations.

Key points

• Prohibits certain unmanned aircraft operations at or near seaports
• Violators face civil penalties of up to $25,000 per violation
• Unmanned aircraft used in violations may be seized or forfeited

Arguments supporters make

• Seaports handle billions of tons of cargo and millions of passengers each year, making them high-value targets — closing a gap in federal law protects critical national infrastructure.
• Drones are already being used for drug smuggling, human trafficking, and illegal surveillance, so clear restrictions and strong penalties give law enforcement the tools to stop these activities at ports.
• Allowing seaports themselves to detect and disable unauthorized drones gives security personnel the immediate, on-the-ground response capability needed to act before a threat escalates.

Arguments opponents make

• Broad flight restrictions and penalties could burden law-abiding commercial drone operators, journalists, and researchers who have legitimate reasons to fly near port areas, without clear evidence that a new law is needed beyond existing FAA rules.
• Granting seaport authorities — which are often private or quasi-public entities — the power to seize and disable aircraft raises due process and civil liberties concerns that normally apply only to government agencies.
• The bill's definition of a qualifying seaport is broad, and the FAA administrator can expand restricted airspace further, which critics may see as creating an open-ended expansion of no-fly zones with limited oversight.

Tradeoffs

Stricter drone restrictions at seaports may improve security for critical infrastructure and the public, but they limit airspace access for civilian, commercial, and press drone operators and expand enforcement powers to non-governmental port entities, raising questions about the balance between security and civil liberties.

Current status in Congress: In committee.

NewsClear — neutral news & congressional tracking · Bill of the Week