HB 1444-FN - AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE

19Feb2026... 0558h

2026 SESSION

26-2749

09/08

HOUSE BILL 1444-FN

AN ACT relative to the purchase or acquisition of certain unmanned aircraft systems.

SPONSORS: Rep. Moffett, Merr. 4; Rep. Cambrils, Merr. 4; Rep. Freeman, Belk. 8; Rep. Litchfield, Rock. 32; Rep. Mandelbaum, Rock. 21; Rep. Notter, Hills. 12; Rep. Creighton, Hills. 30; Sen. Pearl, Dist 17; Sen. Sullivan, Dist 18

COMMITTEE: Commerce and Consumer Affairs

-----------------------------------------------------------------

AMENDED ANALYSIS

This bill prohibits the state or local governments from acquiring certain drones or unmanned aircraft systems after January 1, 2028.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

19Feb2026... 0558h 26-2749

09/08

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six

AN ACT relative to the purchase or acquisition of certain unmanned aircraft systems.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

1  New Chapter; Prohibition on Purchase or Acquisition of Certain Unmanned Aircraft Systems.  Amend RSA by inserting after chapter 162-U the following new chapter:  

CHAPTER 162-V

PROHIBITION ON PURCHASE OR ACQUISITION OF CERTAIN UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS

162-V:1  Definitions.  As used in this chapter, “unmanned aircraft system” or “drone” means the same as "aircraft" as defined in RSA 422:3, VI.  

162-V:2  Prohibition on Purchase or Acquisition of Certain Unmanned Aircraft Systems by the State.  

I.  Effective January 1, 2028, no state agency shall purchase or acquire a drone or unmanned aircraft system other than those cleared pursuant to RSA 162-V:3.

II.  To the extent practicable, state agencies shall purchase or acquire only those drones and unmanned aircraft systems cleared pursuant to RSA 162-V:3 prior to January 1, 2028.

III.  Effective January 1, 2028,  no state funds shall be used to purchase or acquire a drone or unmanned aircraft system whose purchase would be prohibited by paragraph I.

IV.  A contract or agreement for the purchase or acquisition of a drone or unmanned aircraft system in violation of this section is void and unenforceable.

162-V:3  Prohibition on Purchase or Acquisition of Certain Unmanned Aircraft Systems by Localities.

I.  Effective January 1, 2028, no county, city, town or other political subdivision shall purchase or acquire a drone or unmanned aircraft system that does not meet the requirements of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2024, Public Law 118-31, or that has been included on the "covered list" of devices deemed by the Federal Communications Commission to pose an unacceptable risk to the national security to the United States or to the security and safety of United States residents.

II.  A contract or agreement for the purchase or acquisition of a drone or unmanned aircraft system in violation of this section is void and unenforceable.

2  Effective Date.  This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.

LBA

26-2749

11/24/25

HB 1444-FN- FISCAL NOTE

AS INTRODUCED

AN ACT relative to the purchase or acquisition of certain unmanned aircraft systems.

FISCAL IMPACT:   This bill does not provide funding.

METHODOLOGY:

This bill requires the creation of a list of drones and unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) permitted for use by the state or political subdivisions. The Department of Safety will be responsible for creating and maintaining the list and states that due to the technical and security-sensitive nature of this work, significant personnel time and inter-agency coordination will be required, including collaboration with cybersecurity experts, vendor vetting, and regular updates to the list expected at least every six months. While the Department states no new full-time positions are necessary at this time, the workload will likely require reallocation of existing staff resources or contracted support, both of which carry substantial cost implications. In addition to administrative costs, the Division of State Police (NHSP) will likely incur substantial expenses to replace existing drones that do not meet the new compliance requirements. Most drones on the Blue UAS list are significantly more expensive than commercially available alternatives. Assuming NHSP UAS assets need to be replaced, this will result in training on the new platforms and the need for supplies and software for the new platforms. While some federal grants may be available to offset these costs—such as through the Department of Homeland Security’s SAVER program, the Byrne-JAG program (as amended by the DRONE Act of 2025), or the Counter-UAS Grant Program, these funding sources are competitive and not guaranteed. The Department states that while the exact fiscal impact is difficult to determine without a comprehensive inventory of current drone assets, costs to the Department will likely be between $500,000 and $1,000,000 per year.

This bill may also have an impact on local and county governments. Any impact is indeterminable and would vary by county or municipality.

AGENCIES CONTACTED:

Department of Safety