Urging Congress to enhance coordination among federal, state, and local authorities in the deployment of C-UAS technologies for border security.

89(R) HCR 98 - Enrolled version - Bill Text

H.C.R. No. 98

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The deployment of Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems

at the United States-Mexico border presents a complex challenge

requiring seamless coordination among federal, state, and local

entities; and

WHEREAS, Although the security of international borders is a

shared responsibility, states are not permitted to engage in UAS

detection or mitigation activities to counter credible threats;

current federal statutes only allow four federal departments,

Homeland Security, Justice, Defense, and Energy, to conduct

Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems operations for border security

purposes; states are also preempted from regulating aviation safety

and airspace use, which are under the exclusive domain of the

Federal Aviation Administration; and

WHEREAS, While federal agencies have highly developed

expertise in Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems, state and local

officials possess valuable on-the-ground knowledge and resources

that could enhance efforts to address the threat of UAS at the

border; the ability to respond to UAS threats would be greatly

enhanced through joint training opportunities, increased

information sharing, and the establishment of clear protocols for

rapid communication and coordination in response to UAS incidents;

in addition, states bordering other countries would need funding

for acquisition, operational, and training costs involved in

deploying anti-drone technology; and

WHEREAS, Federal law enforcement officials are advocating

for Congress to expand C-UAS authorities to state, local, tribal,

and territorial partners, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation

has indicated support for the swift expansion of C-UAS authority to

these SLTT partners; moreover, the issue has given rise to proposed

legislation, including the Counter-UAS Authority Security, Safety,

and Reauthorization Act (H.R.8610), which aims to create a pilot

program that would provide select state and covered law enforcement

agencies with some drone-mitigation powers; recent reports of

cartels threatening to target federal agents with explosive-laden

UAS underline the urgency of taking action; and

WHEREAS, The security of our borders is crucial to the safety

and well-being of all citizens, and the evolving nature of the UAS

threat demands the utmost efficiency and effectiveness in

coordination among federal, state, and local entities; now,

therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the 89th Legislature of the State of Texas

hereby respectfully urge the United States Congress to enhance

coordination among federal, state, and local authorities in the

deployment of C-UAS technologies for border security; and, be it

further

RESOLVED, That the Texas secretary of state forward official

copies of this resolution to the president of the United States, to

the president of the Senate and the speaker of the House of

Representatives of the United States Congress, to the secretaries

of Homeland Security and Defense, and to all the members of the

Texas delegation to the congress with the request that this

resolution be entered in the Congressional Record as a memorial to

the Congress of the United States of America.

Plesa

Lopez of Bexar

Morales of Maverick

Louderback

Pierson

Gámez

______________________________

______________________________

President of the Senate

Speaker of the House

I certify that H.C.R. No. 98 was adopted by the House on May

7, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 134, Nays 2, 2 present, not

voting.

______________________________

Chief Clerk of the House

I certify that H.C.R. No. 98 was adopted by the Senate on May

20, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.

______________________________

Secretary of the Senate

APPROVED: __________________

Date

__________________

Governor