S. 1867 would direct the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to designate one of its officials to coordinate the department’s efforts to combat threats from unmanned aircraft systems (or drones) and to provide a staff for that person. The bill’s provisions would expire in December 2022.
Using information from DHS, we expect the designated coordinator would need a staff of about five senior employees to coordinate those efforts including promoting research and development; serving as a liaison with state, local, and tribal entities; and sharing information with the private sector. Assuming enactment by the end of 2019, CBO estimates that the additional staff would cost about $3 million through December 2022 (a period of about three years). Any spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds.
