Bills · HR 4759
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 4759Armed Forces and National Security
Ban Military Drones Spying on Civilians Act
INTRO JUL 25· LAST ACTION JUL 25
READING
4MIN
COSPONSORS
0
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenThis bill addresses significant concerns about privacy, civil liberties, and the use of advanced military technology on domestic soil. If passed, it would draw a clear line against federal agencies using powerful, high-altitude drones—which often carry sophisticated surveillance equipment—to monitor citizens exercising their First Amendment rights to assemble and express dissent. This could reassure Americans that their participation in public demonstrations won't automatically subject them to high-tech government monitoring.
Without this bill, federal agencies could continue to use these types of drones for surveillance during protests or civil disobedience without explicit restrictions or comprehensive public reporting. The bill aims to increase transparency and accountability for government drone operations within the U.S., making agencies justify novel or unauthorized uses of these powerful tools and report on any collection of American citizens' data. This is crucial for maintaining public trust and ensuring that government surveillance capabilities are used responsibly and within legal and ethical boundaries.
KEY PROVISIONS
4AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Prohibits the Department of Homeland Security, Department of Defense, and other executive agencies from using funds to operate certain high-end drones in the United States to surveil Americans engaged in protests or civil disobedience.
This directly limits federal agencies' ability to use military-grade surveillance technology on citizens during constitutionally protected activities.
PROVISION 02
Requires the President to submit annual reports to congressional committees on the use of covered unmanned aircraft vehicles by federal agencies within the United States.
This provides ongoing oversight and transparency regarding government drone operations that might impact civilian privacy and rights.
PROVISION 03
Mandates that annual reports include specific details for each instance a covered drone was used for a novel or unauthorized purpose, including equipment onboard (like weapons), justification, and whether any U.S. persons were surveilled, identified, and if their information was shared or retained.
This ensures detailed accountability for potentially sensitive drone deployments and provides critical information about the collection and handling of U.S. citizens' data.
PROVISION 04
Defines 'covered unmanned aircraft vehicle' to include specific military drones like the MQ-9 Reaper, or any drone with an airframe initially developed for the Armed Forces, that is medium- or high-altitude and long-endurance, or can fly at 10,000 feet or higher.
This clearly specifies which types of powerful drones are subject to the prohibition and reporting requirements, focusing on advanced military-grade systems.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 0
D· California
YRS IN OFFICE
9
BILLS LED
16
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTSJUL 25
Introduced in House
JUL 25
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
BILL INFO
TypeHouse Bill
NumberHR 4759
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedJul 25, 2025
Last actionJul 25, 2025
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · JUDICIARY COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED JUL 25, 2025
House BillHR 4759Armed Forces and National Security
Ban Military Drones Spying on Civilians Act
INTRODUCED JUL 25, 2025· LAST ACTION JUL 25, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
4 min
COSPONSORS
0
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
