Virginia Funds Transition to US Drone Platforms for First Responders

As the federal government advances new restrictions on drones manufactured by foreign adversaries, Virginia has introduced a grant program to help law enforcement and first responders transition to compliant drone technology. In this DRONELIFE exclusive guest post, Michele Satterlund, attorney at MacAuley, Jamerson, Satterlund and Sessa and former executive director of the Unmanned Systems Association of Virginia, provides an overview of the state’s new initiative and its context within recent federal policy changes. DRONELIFE neither accepts nor makes payment for guest posts.

Virginia:  Senator Perry and Del. Krizek Work to Ease Law Enforcement’s Transition to Secure Drones as the Federal Government Seeks to Eliminate Insecure Drones

by Michele Satterlund

Virginia is the second U.S. state to fund a dedicated grant program aimed at helping local law enforcement and first responders’ transition away from drones manufactured by companies in countries designated as foreign adversaries

This initiative, spearheaded by State Senator Russet Perry and Delegate Paul Krizek, aligns with provisions in the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and includes a $1 million appropriation for the Virginia State Police and a separate $1 million grant program administered by the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services. The legislation does not ban any drones but provides funding as federal policy under the FY25 NDAA and President Trump’s recent Executive Orders advance.

With Governor’s Youngkin’s signing of Virginia’s biennial budget on May 2, 2025, Virginia became the second state in the nation to fund a grant program aimed at helping local law enforcement, firefighters and other first responders replace drones manufactured in countries labeled as foreign adversaries.

The originating legislation, which  was carried by Virginia State Senator Russet Perry and Delegate Paul Krizek, was introduced shortly after President Biden signed the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which directs U.S. security agencies to determine whether drones made by Shenzhen DJI Innovation Technology Co., Ltd, (commonly referred to as DJI) and Autel Robotics (Autel) pose a threat to national safety.  If even one agency makes that determination, DJI and Autel drones will be added to the Federal Communications Commission restricted list, making it illegal to authorize new models for use. If no determination is made, the NDAA mandates an automatic ban on new DJI and Autel drones beginning January 23, 2026. Importantly, prior to the FY25 NDAA, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Homeland Security, and the U.Ss Dept of Defense all determined such drones posed a risk to U.S. national security.

The FY25 NDAA’s drone requirements received a further boost, when on June 6, 2025, President Trump signed an Executive Order (EO), Unleashing American Drone Dominance, that bolsters the security of  America’s drone use by directing the Department of Commerce to issue a proposed rule (within 90 days) on processes for transitioning away from  existing insecure drone systems.

“Having served as an officer in the Central Intelligence Agency, I am keenly aware of the security risks the United States faces from technologies made by our foreign adversaries,” said Senator Perry, when asked about her foresight in championing this issue. “The grant legislation, as well as Virginia’s separate direct appropriation of $1 million to Virginia State Police for the purchase of secure drones, will help our law enforcement make this important transition and will better ensure our national security.”

While no hard data exists regarding the number of drones made by DJI or Autel and used by Virginia’s law enforcement community, anecdotally obtained information indicates that Chinese drones are used by 85-90% of Virginia’s law enforcement. “It’s important that we assist our local law enforcement in staying ahead of the curve on this important public safety initiative,” noted Del. Krizek, who is Chair of the House Appropriations Public Safety Subcommittee. “I was proud to champion this effort alongside State Senator Perry and I’m pleased we can help ensure Virginia’s first responders can better access the tools they need to keep us safe.”

Virginia’s $1 million grant program follows Florida’s $25 million effort launched in 2023 and was enacted prior to North Dakota’s $9 million grant replacement program signed into law in late May. The Virginia grant will be administered by the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services, working in conjunction with a broad coalition of public safety organizations. Grants will be capped at $25,000 per drone and will be limited to models that meet U.S. security standards set by the American Security Drone Act of 2023.

Michele Satterlund is an attorney and lobbyist based in Richmond, Virginia, and a former executive director of the Unmanned Systems Association of Virginia, with extensive experience representing clients in the unmanned systems sector and advocating for innovative drone policy initiatives. She is a partner at Macaulay Jamerson Satterlund & Sessa, P.C., and has been recognized for her leadership in legislative and regulatory matters affecting the drone industry. Michele’s work has helped shape state and federal policy, supporting the safe and secure integration of drones into public safety and commercial operations.

Read more:

• FY 24 National Defense Authorization Act Includes American Security Drone Act, Limiting Chinese-Made Drone Use
• Trump’s Drone Executive Orders: Beyond the Fact Sheets
• NDAA FY25: Key Takeaways for the Drone Industry