Bill > HR8118

This bill, the ACERO Act of 2024 (Advanced Capabilities for Emergency Response Operations Act of 2024), directs the NASA Administrator to leverage NASA-developed tools and technologies to conduct research and development activities under the ACERO program to improve aerial responses to wildfires. The bill outlines specific goals for these research and development activities, including advanced aircraft technologies, information sharing, situational awareness platforms, and interagency coordination. The bill also prohibits the Administrator from procuring unmanned aircraft systems manufactured or assembled by certain covered foreign entities, with an exemption for cases deemed in the national interest and necessary for improving aerial wildfire response. The bill authorizes $15 million in appropriations for fiscal year 2025 to carry out these activities and requires annual reports to Congress on the program's progress.