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.