H.R. 390 · Passed House · Science, Technology, Communications

ACERO Act

What it does

Provides statutory authority for NASA's Advanced Capabilities for Emergency Response Operations project, which researches aerial wildfire response using drones and other advanced aviation technology.
Directs the project to address airspace management and deconfliction during wildfire response, including real-time information sharing and a situational awareness platform for aerial assets.
Directs the project to establish a multiagency concept of operations to coordinate aerial wildfire response across federal, state, and local agencies.
Requires NASA to consult other agencies to avoid duplication and generally bars buying drones made or assembled by specified foreign entities, including those controlled by China.

Official summary

Advanced Capabilities for Emergency Response Operations Act or the ACERO Act This bill provides statutory authority for the Advanced Capabilities for Emergency Response Operations (ACERO) project. The ACERO project conducts research and development activities regarding aerial response to wildfires using uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) and other advanced aviation technologies. It is administered by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The bill directs the ACERO project to address airspace management and deconfliction during wildfire response efforts, including through real-time information sharing among response teams and the development of a platform to provide situational awareness of aerial assets. The bill also directs the ACERO project to establish a multiagency concept of operations to facilitate the coordination of aerial wildfire response among federal, state, and local government agencies. NASA must consult with other federal agencies and departments to avoid duplication of these efforts. NASA generally may not procure UAS manufactured or assembled by specified foreign entities, including entities domiciled in or controlled by China, for use by the…

Latest action

Feb 24, 2026: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Committee: Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation