HR 817: House Study Committee on Governmental Use of Drones and Unmanned Aircraft from Foreign Adversaries; create

This resolution creates the House Study Committee on Governmental Use of Drones and Unmanned Aircraft from Foreign Adversaries. It does not change any law itself; instead it sets up a five-member panel of House members, appointed by the Speaker of the House, to study the issue and recommend possible legislation. The committee would look at concerns that foreign-made drones used by Georgia government agencies could enable espionage, data collection, or cyberattacks, and that Georgia lacks clear policies on procuring and using drones. It would also weigh privacy concerns and coordination between federal, state, and local governments on drone interdiction near military installations and other sensitive sites. The committee's legislative members get standard daily allowances under Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 28-1-8), funded through the House budget. The committee must file any report before it is abolished on December 1, 2025.

• Creates a five-member House Study Committee on Governmental Use of Drones and Unmanned Aircraft from Foreign Adversaries, with members appointed by the Speaker.
• Directs the committee to study government drone use, related security and privacy risks, and recommend legislation if needed.
• Lets the chairperson set meeting times and places as needed to carry out the study.
• Pays legislative members standard allowances under Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 28-1-8), capped at five days unless more are authorized, funded through the House budget.
• Requires any approved findings or recommendations to be filed as a report with the Clerk of the House before the committee ends.
• Abolishes the committee automatically on December 1, 2025.

State and local government agencies that use drones, including law enforcement and public safety agencies, military installations in Georgia, drone manufacturers, and the five House members who would serve on the study committee.

The resolution does not ban or regulate drones itself, but its findings could shape future Georgia legislation on government drone procurement, privacy protections, and how officials respond to unauthorized drone activity near military sites and other sensitive locations.

• Paragraph (1) creates the study committee.
• Paragraph (2) sets membership at five House members appointed by the Speaker, who also names the chairperson.
• Paragraph (3) charges the committee with studying government drone use and recommending legislation.
• Paragraph (5) sets member allowances under O.C.G.A. § 28-1-8, limited to five days unless extended, funded from House appropriations.
• Paragraph (6) lays out reporting requirements, including that any report must be approved by majority vote before filing with the Clerk of the House.
• Paragraph (7) abolishes the committee on December 1, 2025.

1. 2025-04-04House Withdrawn, Recommitted (House)
2. 2025-04-02House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (House)
3. 2025-03-28House Second Readers (House)
4. 2025-03-27House First Readers (House)
5. 2025-03-27House Hopper (House)

• David Clark (R, HD-100)Primary sponsor
• Josh Bonner (R, HD-73)
• Todd Jones (R, HD-25)
• Clint Crowe (R, HD-118)
• Eddie Lumsden (R, HD-12)
• Brad Thomas (R, HD-21)

• drones
• government surveillance
• national security
• data privacy
• military installations