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2025 Session

Budget Amendments - SB800 (Member Request)

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Chief Patron: Perry
Unmanned Aircraft Replacement Program

Item 394 #8s

Item 394 #8s

First Year - FY2025 Second Year - FY2026
Public Safety and Homeland Security
Department of Criminal Justice Services FY2025 $7,500,000 FY2026 $0 GF

Language
Page 505, line 25, strike "$235,665,783" and insert "$243,165,783".

Page 513, after line 47, insert:

"AA. Included in the appropriation for this item is $7,500,000 the first year from the general fund for the Department of Criminal Justice Services to administer and provide grant funding for an Unmanned Aircraft Trade and Replace Program.

2. For the purposes of this program, the Department may only distribute grant funds to state or local law enforcement agencies, local fire or ambulance service providers, or other local first responders that are seeking to transition from the use of unmanned aircraft that are manufactured by an entity, including its subsidiaries, affiliates or partners, that is domiciled in a country defined as a foreign adversary under § 55.1-507, Code of Virginia.

3. To be eligible for the grant funding, a state or local law enforcement agency, local fire or ambulance service provider, or local first responder must relinquish a drone that is operable and in working order, but that is manufactured by an entity (or its subsidiaries, affiliates or partners) that is domiciled in a country defined as foreign adversary of the United States. Grant funds shall be provided per drone based upon the drone's replacement costs, but shall not exceed $25,000 per drone. Grant funds may only be used to purchase an equal or greater number of drones that are in compliance with, without exception or waiver, Sections §§ 1821-1832 of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2024.

4. The Department shall coordinate with the Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security, Virginia State Police, Virginia Association of Counties, Virginia Municipal League, Virginia Fire Chiefs Association, Virginia Ambulance Association, and the Virginia Sheriffs' Association to set any additional criteria for awarding the grants.

5. This appropriation shall be one-time and shall be removed from the base budget after the biennium. Any remaining balance at year-end shall be carried forward to the subsequent fiscal year. Of this amount, the Director is authorized to expend reasonable amounts for state administration of the program including up to one position."



Explanation

(This amendment provides $7.5 million GF the first year in one-time funding for a grant program to assist state and local law enforcement and other first responders in complying with upcoming federal requirements that will mandate a transition from the use of drones made in countries defined as U.S. Foreign Adversaries.)