New Jersey Public Safety Grants

S2135: What the Introduced Bill Says

Senate Bill 2135 in the 2026–27 session proposes that a public entity may not use a foreign-made small UAS for any purpose. Its public-entity definition includes state and local governmental bodies. The introduced “foreign-made” definition turns on whether foreign-manufactured component costs exceed 25% of all component costs, with “foreign country” meaning any nation other than the United States.

The proposed effective date is the first day of the sixth month following enactment. There is no enacted effective date to count from now. Track amendments and legislative action; do not treat a vendor origin claim alone as proof under a future law.

Existing New Jersey Operation Law

P.L. 2017, c.315 (codified in part at N.J.S.A. 2C:40-27 through 2C:40-30) addresses unsafe operation, unauthorized conduct at correctional facilities, interference with first responders and other flight conduct. It expressly preserves authorized UAS use by public employees, public entities and first responders in compliance with federal rules.

That enacted law is not a statewide country-of-origin ban. Plan FAA public-aircraft or Part 107 authority, airspace permission, privacy/evidence practices and site rules for the mission.

Federal Funds & NJDOT's FHWA Advisory

OMB M-26-02, Appendix D implements the American Security Drone Act restriction on using federal award funds to procure or operate FASC-prohibited UAS, with specified exemptions and waivers. NJDOT's December 2025 QIA 066 instructs contractors and consultants on FHWA-funded projects to stop covered UAS procurements and operations or maintenance charged to those funds and segregate affected equipment. Check the exact contract and governing award terms.

BJA has separate prior-approval and certification requirements for UAS acquired with its awards. A state grant or federal pass-through award must be tested against its own notices and conditions.

Cameras, Telecom, FCC, TAA & Blue UAS

Section 889 addresses specified covered telecommunications and video-surveillance equipment and services in federal contracting and awards. FCC Covered List and equipment-authorization issues are separate from the proposed S2135 component-cost definition. The Trade Agreements Act matters when a covered procurement clause applies; Blue UAS provides a screening pathway but does not grant a blanket New Jersey approval.

Assess the aircraft, payload camera, radio, controller, firmware, network and cloud service individually. Document vendor ownership and origin, remote support, data flows, retention, security updates, encryption, logging and incident response.

Counter-UAS Funding Has Its Own Scope

NJOHSP lists a federal Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems Grant Program for FFY2026 and FFY2027. Its purpose centers on authorized capabilities to detect, identify, track, monitor or respond to unauthorized drones. Review the state instructions and federal legal-authority requirements before specifying sensors, software or mitigation equipment. This is distinct from funding an agency's own aircraft.

Practical New Jersey UAS Procurement Checklist

1. 1Identify the public buyer and funding. Record the purchasing entity, contract and all federal, state, local and pass-through funds, including any FHWA work.
2. 2Treat S2135 as a bill. Track whether the proposed use prohibition becomes law and whether its text changes; it is not an enacted procurement ban as of this review.
3. 3Test each federal award. Screen UAS and relevant components against the American Security Drone Act and OMB M-26-02; obtain any award-specific approvals before purchase or use.
4. 4Apply surveillance and radio rules separately. Review applicable Section 889 covered telecom/video surveillance clauses, FCC Covered List and equipment authorization, and any TAA clause. Blue UAS status is a separate screening aid.
5. 5Check the mission and site. Use FAA public-operator or Part 107 rules as applicable; account for New Jersey flight law, correctional facilities, first-responder operations and location-specific limits.
6. 6Document cyber risk. List aircraft, payload, camera, controller, radio, firmware, apps and cloud providers; check data routing, retention, encryption, updates, access and incident response.
7. 7Preserve the decision record. Keep vendor evidence, grant approval, cybersecurity review, bid documents, FAA authorizations and a check of any later law or agency policy.

Justice and investigations

Direct BJA Local JAG serves formula-listed jurisdictions. New Jersey OAG posts its own Byrne JAG and other notices with separate applicant and priority rules. Describe the investigative problem, deployment plan, cost and evidence safeguards.

Homeland security and regional readiness

NJOHSP administers SHSP and UASI. Coordinate with the state or relevant urban-area governance to fit an approved risk assessment and capability. Prior NJOHSP homeland-security funding supported UAS training; that does not guarantee that a current aircraft purchase qualifies.

Counter-drone planning

NJOHSP's C-UAS program is a targeted pathway for authorized detection and response. Identify the protected site, operational partners, legal authority, cybersecurity controls and approved activities before seeking equipment.

Cybersecurity and connected surveillance

Use the SLCGP for approved cyber-risk reduction and services, not as an assumed camera or drone subsidy. For networked systems, specify vendor access, data handling, patches, incident response and who will maintain them.

Traffic, schools and fire

DHTS funds traffic-safety projects; COPS SVPP, BJA body cameras and FEMA AFG have distinct purposes and equipment tests. COPS TEP is an invitation for designated recipients, not an open local competition.