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1 New Section; Unlawful Operation or Use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems. Amend RSA 644 by inserting after section 644:22 the following new section:
644:23 Unlawful Operation or Use of a Small Unmanned Aircraft System.
I. A person is guilty of a misdemeanor if such person operates a small unmanned aircraft system ("UAS") that interferes with law enforcement, firefighting, or other emergency response operations or violates any provisions of RSA 644:9.
II. A person is guilty of:
(a) A class A misdemeanor if such person negligently operates a small UAS in a manner so as to interfere with or disrupt the flight of a human-occupied aircraft, or otherwise impede the normal course of operations of any international, regional, municipal, or general aviation airport.
(b) A class B felony if such operation results in damage to a human-occupied aircraft in flight.
(c) A class A felony if such operation causes said aircraft to crash and such crash results in death or serious bodily injury.
III. A person is guilty of a misdemeanor if such a person operates a small UAS in FAA-restricted airspace over the property of a federal or state correctional, penal, or detention facility, and a class B felony if such operation is done with the purpose of delivering contraband into the facility or to aid in the escape of a prisoner.
IV. A person is guilty of a class B felony if such person is knowingly in possession of or operates a small UAS equipped with a device capable of causing serious bodily injury, death, or property damage or is otherwise capable of firing or releasing a projectile. Federal, state, and municipal public safety bomb squad personnel are exempted from this provision for the limited purpose of use of a small UAS for the disposal of explosives, bombs, and hazardous devices. Law enforcement's use of a small UAS to deploy distraction or disorientation devices is exempt from this provision.
V. This provision shall not apply to any law enforcement officer acting pursuant to his or her lawful authority.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2026.
Text to be added highlighted in green.
1 New Section; Unlawful Operation or Use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems. Amend RSA 644 by inserting after section 644:22 the following new section:
644:23 Unlawful Operation or Use of a Small Unmanned Aircraft System.
I. A person is guilty of a misdemeanor if such person operates a small unmanned aircraft system ("UAS") that interferes with law enforcement, firefighting, or other emergency response operations or violates any provisions of RSA 644:9.
II. A person is guilty of:
(a) A class A misdemeanor if such person negligently operates a small UAS in a manner so as to interfere with or disrupt the flight of a human-occupied aircraft, or otherwise impede the normal course of operations of any international, regional, municipal, or general aviation airport.
(b) A class B felony if such operation results in damage to a human-occupied aircraft in flight.
(c) A class A felony if such operation causes said aircraft to crash and such crash results in death or serious bodily injury.
III. A person is guilty of a misdemeanor if such a person operates a small UAS in FAA-restricted airspace over the property of a federal or state correctional, penal, or detention facility, and a class B felony if such operation is done with the purpose of delivering contraband into the facility or to aid in the escape of a prisoner.
IV. A person is guilty of a class B felony if such person is knowingly in possession of or operates a small UAS equipped with a device capable of causing serious bodily injury, death, or property damage or is otherwise capable of firing or releasing a projectile. Federal, state, and municipal public safety bomb squad personnel are exempted from this provision for the limited purpose of use of a small UAS for the disposal of explosives, bombs, and hazardous devices. Law enforcement's use of a small UAS to deploy distraction or disorientation devices is exempt from this provision.
V. This provision shall not apply to any law enforcement officer acting pursuant to his or her lawful authority.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2026.