The proposed legislation, known as the Secure Drone Purchasing Act, aims to enhance the security of Nebraska against potential threats from unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) associated with espionage and surveillance, particularly from hostile entities like the People's Republic of China. The Act establishes a framework for the procurement of drones by state agencies and political subdivisions, mandating that, effective January 1, 2027, no state agency may purchase or acquire drones that have not been cleared by the Division of Aeronautics. Additionally, state funds cannot be used for the purchase of drones that are prohibited under the Act, and any contracts for such purchases will be deemed void and unenforceable.

To facilitate this, the Division of Aeronautics is tasked with creating and maintaining a "List of Secure Drones Authorized for Purchase," which will include drones cleared by the U.S. Department of Defense and those compliant with the National Defense Authorization Act. This list will be regularly updated and published on the division's website, ensuring transparency and accessibility. The division may also consult with cybersecurity experts and relevant agencies to ensure the integrity of data collected by UAS. The legislation emphasizes the preference for purchasing drones from the approved list in state and local procurement actions, thereby promoting the acquisition of secure technology.