STOP Illicit Drones Act

This bill, the STOP Illicit Drones Act (S 1830), blocks U.S. federal funding and contracts for drone-related projects involving entities from specified countries (China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Venezuela, Cuba, and others designated by the FAA). It prohibits the FAA from awarding grants, contracts, or designating centers of excellence for drone projects with "covered foreign entities," defined as those on sanctions lists, based in targeted countries, or controlled by those governments. The bill also bans the FAA from operating or procuring drones made by such entities, requiring replacement of existing covered drones within one year. Limited exemptions exist for testing counter-drone systems, military training, and research to improve drone safety in U.S. airspace.