July 18, 2026

The SAFER SKIES Act, enacted as part of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 and signed into law in December 2025, established new authorities for eligible state, local, tribal, and territorial law enforcement agencies to address credible drone threats. In support of these authorities, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has announced several implementation actions, including temporary spectrum authority for approved counter-drone systems, guidance on lawful counter-UAS operations, and measures to accelerate access to authorized equipment. Together, these actions provide agencies with greater legal clarity and operational flexibility as they evaluate and deploy counter-drone capabilities. Agencies interested in exercising the new authorities are encouraged to review the FCC’s guidance and implementation materials.

FCC Summary / Fact Sheet

• FCC Supports SLTT Drone Efforts Under the SAFER SKIES Act

Sale and Importation Equipment Waiver

• OET Waives Certain Prohibitions in Part 2 for Authorized Systems

Temporary Spectrum Authority

• C-UAS Spectrum Authority for SLTTs under the SAFER SKIES Act

Section 333 / Counter-Drone Operations Guidance

• Declaratory Ruling on Counter-UAS Operations and Section 333

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Attorney General Nomination Update

The Senate Judiciary Committee has scheduled a two-day confirmation hearing for Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, President Trump’s nominee to serve as attorney general, on July 15–16, 2026. The hearings will provide members of the committee an opportunity to examine Blanche’s qualifications and policy priorities before the nomination advances through the confirmation process.

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FY 2026 Community Policing Development (CPD) Microgrants

The FY 2026 CPD Microgrants provides up to $6.7 million to support law enforcement agencies in developing and evaluating innovative approaches to addressing public safety challenges. Funding is available for pilot and demonstration projects focused on issues such as violent crime, human trafficking, drug trafficking, officer recruitment and retention, and other emerging law enforcement priorities. Projects are intended to identify promising practices and generate lessons learned that can inform agencies across the United States.

Who is eligible:

State, local, tribal, and territorial law enforcement agencies with primary law enforcement authority.

Application Deadlines:

Grants.gov: August 17, 2026

JustGrants: August 24, 2026

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Congressional Countdown: Limited Legislative Time Before the Midterm Elections

As Congress looks ahead to the November 3 midterm elections, lawmakers have a shrinking window to complete several major legislative priorities. Based on the published House and Senate calendars, Congress has only a few dozen legislative workdays remaining before departing for the traditional pre-election recess.

The Senate is scheduled to begin its August work period on August 10 and will not return until September 14. The House is expected to remain in session through early August before beginning its August district work period, returning briefly the week of August 31–September 3 before another break surrounding Labor Day.

Both chambers are then slated to leave Washington for an extended pre-election recess in October, with the House scheduled to adjourn after October 1 and return following Election Day. The Senate is scheduled to be out from October 5 through November 6.

Despite the limited floor time, Congress still faces a substantial agenda, including doing the following:

• Completing FY 2027 appropriations or advancing a continuing resolution to avoid a government funding lapse when the fiscal year begins on October 1.

• Addressing the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), one of Congress’s must-pass measures.

• Advancing reconciliation, tax, and oversight priorities that leadership in both chambers hopes to complete before campaigning intensifies.

With August and October recesses rapidly approaching, the legislative calendar will place significant pressure on congressional leaders to move key bills before attention shifts fully to the campaign trail.

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Supreme Court Addresses Use of Geofence Warrants

On June 29, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its decision in Chatrie v. United States, holding that law enforcement’s acquisition of cellphone location data through a geofence warrant constitutes a search under the Fourth Amendment. The Court concluded that individuals have a reasonable expectation of privacy in historical cellphone location information maintained by third-party technology providers and remanded the case for further proceedings regarding whether the search was reasonable under the Fourth Amendment.

Geofence warrants have been used by investigators to identify devices located within a defined geographic area during a specified time period when traditional investigative leads are limited. While the Court did not categorically prohibit their use, the ruling makes clear that such investigative techniques implicate Fourth Amendment protections and will be subject to constitutional scrutiny.

Additional Resources

• Supreme Court Opinion – Chatrie v. United States

• SCOTUSblog Analysis of Chatrie v. United States

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States Continue to Advance AI, Data Privacy, and Technology-Related Policies

As state legislative sessions conclude across the United States, lawmakers continue to address a growing range of technology and data-related issues. Recent actions have included measures affecting artificial intelligence, consumer data privacy, and the use of geolocation data. States have also considered broader policy issues involving election administration, immigration enforcement, and new revenue sources tied to digital products and emerging technologies. A recent Bloomberg Government analysis highlights key legislative trends from states that have adjourned so far in 2026 and provides a look at policy developments that may influence future state and federal discussions. Click to learn more.

Past Legislative Updates