Amend CSSB 1 (house committee printing) in Article VII of the bill, following the appropriations to the Department of Transportation (page VII-34), by adding the following appropriately numbered rider:

____.  Study on Use of Unmanned Aerial Systems for Cross-border Transport at Ports of Entry. (a) Out of funds appropriated above to the Department of Transportation for Strategy A.1.1, Plan/Design/Manage, the department shall conduct a study on the feasibility of using unmanned aerial systems, including drones, for the cross-border transport of lightweight commercial goods at ports of entry on the border between this state and the United Mexican States. The study must assess:

(1)  relevant federal, state, and international regulatory frameworks;

(2)  infrastructure needs;

(3)  airspace restrictions;

(4)  safety and security protocols; and

(5)  current use cases, including models used on the border between the United States and Canada.

(b)  In conducting the study, the Department of Transportation shall consult with relevant state and federal agencies, including:

(1)  the Department of Public Safety;

(2)  the United States Customs and Border Protection; and

(3)  the Federal Aviation Administration.

(c)  Not later than December 1, 2026, the Department of Transportation shall prepare and submit to the legislature a report on the results of the study.