89R16367 BPG-D
By: Plesa, Lopez of Bexar, H.C.R. No. 98
Morales of Maverick, Louderback
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.