Drone Espionage Act Hits Home on the Emerald Coast Staff Reports February 23, 2026 2:26 pm Aviation, Eglin Air Force Base, Emerald Coast, Hurlburt Field, Military In Brief: Who: Sen. Ashley Moody and bipartisan Senate co-sponsors What: Drone Espionage Act, updating the Espionage Act of 1917 When: Advanced Feb. 5, 2026 Where: U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, Washington, D.C.; local relevance on the Emerald Coast Why: To address rising drone surveillance threats and protect sensitive military installations WASHINGTON, D.C. — Legislation aimed at closing what supporters describe as a dangerous gap in federal law cleared a key hurdle Thursday as the Senate Judiciary Committee advanced the Drone Espionage Act to the full Senate for consideration. The bill, introduced by U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody, would update the The Espionage Act of 1917 made it a federal crime to take unauthorized videos of U.S. military installations. While certain forms of espionage and surveillance are already prohibited under federal law, videography of sensitive national defense sites is not explicitly criminalized under the century-old statute. Moody, whose home state is home to 21 military installations and three combatant commands, said the legislation reflects the rapid evolution of drone technology and the growing threat posed by unmanned aircraft systems flying over sensitive sites. “Florida is home to 21 military installations and three combatant commands—we must keep our bases protected and secure,” Moody said in a statement. “The Drone Espionage Act modernizes our laws to meet technological advancements and will protect against bad actors wishing to collect intelligence...
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