Michigan House oversight panel reviews drones, fentanyl and cyber threats; approves May 21 minutes

The Michigan House Oversight Committee on Homeland Security and Foreign Influence met in Lansing for a four‑month review of prior hearings on fentanyl, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS or drones), human trafficking and cyber vulnerabilities and approved the minutes of its May 21 meeting by voice vote.

Chair Brook opened the meeting by saying the committee would use the session to “go through… a 4 month review” of previous presenters after a scheduled presenter was rescheduled. The chair told members, “I didn't wanna cancel committee,” and outlined the committee’s work since its first hearing.

The nut graf: Committee members revisited presentations from retired Gen. Odie Slocum and local law enforcement and public‑safety experts, including testimony and demonstrations about fentanyl, human trafficking and drone technology — topics committee leaders said carry implications for state procurement, critical‑infrastructure protection and federal coordination with the FAA and Congress.

Most of the meeting was a summary and planning session rather than a formal decision meeting. Chair Brook listed prior presenters the committee has heard from: Michael Bouchard, Berrien County Sheriff Chuck Hite, Sheriff Troy Goodenough, medical testimony on fentanyl, and several speakers and organizations on drone use and safety including Dakota Greenman, Matt Rybar (Michigan Public Safety Drone Association) and Scott Schauffman (AUVSI). The chair said a video flyover by Dakota Greenman is available on the House website.

Committee members discussed several recurring themes from earlier hearings: the speed and scale of wartime aircraft production cited during the Selfridge base tour (one reference noted a World War II production rate of about “56 minutes” per B‑24 at Willow Run), recent drone swarm attacks in the Russia‑Ukraine war that damaged aircraft, and worries that similar tactics could threaten U.S. critical infrastructure. The chair summarized that the committee’s work will emphasize three areas going forward: UAS/drones, cyber security and continued attention to fentanyl and human trafficking.

On drones and procurement, members reviewed draft elements of a proposed FAIR (Foreign Adversary Influence Reduction) package that the chair said would address procurement restrictions, manufacturing and enforcement. The chair noted outreach to federal lawmakers and staff, saying the committee had contacted members of Congress and Senate offices and was monitoring a reported federal executive order that could restrict sales by certain foreign manufacturers and direct investment in domestic drone industry capacity.

Members discussed state options and federal limits. Several members urged coordination with the FAA because federal aviation rules and enforcement authority affect state responses. The committee also discussed geofencing, “no‑drone” zones near critical facilities and airports, and counter‑UAS technologies that vendors such as BAE Systems and others are developing.

Human trafficking and fentanyl remained a focus. Members recalled testimony on treatment and recovery from a public‑health perspective and law enforcement accounts of trafficking and distribution. The chair said the committee had drafted a letter of recommendations to House leadership proposing bills on pill presses, enhanced penalties for fentanyl dealers and measures addressing xylazine; the chair included that letter in the meeting packet.

The committee also discussed planned site visits and future presenters. Chair Brook said staff were arranging field trips to Selfridge Air National Guard Base and other facilities, and that Michigan Tech, Ferris State and the University of Michigan had been approached for cybersecurity and manufacturing presentations. The chair said the Michigan National Guard and chip‑manufacturing stakeholders were potential future presenters as the committee explores domestic supply‑chain and procurement solutions.

Administrative action: Representative Meerman moved to approve the minutes of May 21; “hearing no objection, they are approved,” the chair said. The meeting included no recorded roll‑call vote beyond that voice approval.

The meeting concluded with the chair asking members for additional presenter suggestions and reiterating that the committee will continue to focus on drones (including procurement and counter‑UAS), cyber security, and fentanyl/human‑trafficking issues in upcoming meetings.