HB205 (2017) Compare Changes


The Bill Text indicates a new section is being inserted. This situation is not handled right now, and the new text is displayed in both the changed and unchanged versions.

Unchanged Version

Text to be removed highlighted in red.

1 New Section; Breaches of the Peace; Flying a Drone Above a Correctional Facility. Amend RSA 644 by inserting after section 21 the following new section:

644:22 Flying a Drone Above a Correctional Facility.

I. Except as otherwise provided in this section, no person shall fly a drone in the airspace above a state or county correctional facility or a municipal jail. Any person who violates this section shall be guilty of a class A misdemeanor.

II.(a) State, county, or municipal correctional authorities may fly a drone above a correctional facility over which they have control for security purposes.

(b) State, county, or municipal correctional authorities may authorize a request by a person to fly a drone above a correctional facility over which they have control, provided the person:

(1) Requests permission from the appropriate correctional authority;

(2) Is authorized by the Federal Aviation Administration to operate a drone for commercial purposes; and

(3) Operates the drone in a manner that complies with the authorization.

III. In this section:

(a) "Airspace" means the space above the ground on which a state or county correctional facility or municipal jail is sited.

(b) "Drone" means a powered, aerial vehicle, excluding a geosynchronous satellite, that:

(1) Does not carry a human operator;

(2) Uses aerodynamic forces to provide vehicle lift;

(3) Can fly autonomously or be piloted remotely; and

(4) May be expendable or recoverable.

(c) "Person" means an individual, corporation, organization, and for-profit or not-for-profit entities.

2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2018.

Changed Version

Text to be added highlighted in green.

1 New Section; Breaches of the Peace; Flying a Drone Above a Correctional Facility. Amend RSA 644 by inserting after section 21 the following new section:

644:22 Flying a Drone Above a Correctional Facility.

I. Except as otherwise provided in this section, no person shall fly a drone in the airspace above a state or county correctional facility or a municipal jail. Any person who violates this section shall be guilty of a class A misdemeanor.

II.(a) State, county, or municipal correctional authorities may fly a drone above a correctional facility over which they have control for security purposes.

(b) State, county, or municipal correctional authorities may authorize a request by a person to fly a drone above a correctional facility over which they have control, provided the person:

(1) Requests permission from the appropriate correctional authority;

(2) Is authorized by the Federal Aviation Administration to operate a drone for commercial purposes; and

(3) Operates the drone in a manner that complies with the authorization.

III. In this section:

(a) "Airspace" means the space above the ground on which a state or county correctional facility or municipal jail is sited.

(b) "Drone" means a powered, aerial vehicle, excluding a geosynchronous satellite, that:

(1) Does not carry a human operator;

(2) Uses aerodynamic forces to provide vehicle lift;

(3) Can fly autonomously or be piloted remotely; and

(4) May be expendable or recoverable.

(c) "Person" means an individual, corporation, organization, and for-profit or not-for-profit entities.

2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2018.