CHAPTER 95
HB 1444-FN - FINAL VERSION
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
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AMENDED ANALYSIS
This bill prohibits the state or local governments from acquiring certain drones or unmanned aircraft systems after January 1, 2028.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.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:
95:1 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 of 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.
95:2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
Approved: May 28, 2026
Effective Date: July 27, 2026
| Date | Amendment |
|---|---|
| Feb. 11, 2026 | 2026-0558h |
| Date | Body | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Jan. 15, 2026 | House | Hearing |
| Jan. 15, 2026 | House | Hearing |
| Feb. 4, 2026 | House | Exec Session |
| Feb. 4, 2026 | House | Exec Session |
| Feb. 4, 2026 | House | Floor Vote |
| March 10, 2026 | Senate | Hearing |
| March 10, 2026 | Senate | Hearing |
| April 16, 2026 | Senate | Floor Vote |
June 1, 2026: Signed by Governor Ayotte 05/28/2026; Chapter 95; eff. 07/27/2026
May 18, 2026: Enrolled (in recess of) 05/14/2026 HJ 13
May 18, 2026: Enrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 05/14/2026); SJ 13
April 10, 2026: Ought to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 04/16/2026; SJ 9
April 9, 2026: Committee Report: Ought to Pass, 04/16/2026; Vote 4-1; CC; SC 14
April 9, 2026: Hearing: 03/10/2026, Room 100, SH, 01:45 pm; SC 9
March 5, 2026: Hearing: 03/10/2026, Room 100, SH, 01:45 pm; SC 9
Feb. 25, 2026: Introduced 02/19/2026 and Referred to Judiciary; SJ 5
Feb. 19, 2026: Referral Waived by Committee Chair per House Rule 47(f) 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 112
Feb. 19, 2026: Referred to Finance 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 39
Feb. 19, 2026: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-0558h: MA VV 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 5
Feb. 19, 2026: Amendment # 2026-0558h: AA VV 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 5
Feb. 11, 2026: Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0558h 02/04/2026 (Vote 14-0; CC) HC 7 P. 4
Jan. 29, 2026: Executive Session: 02/04/2026 01:00 pm GP 229
Jan. 29, 2026: Subcommittee Work Session: 02/04/2026 10:15 am GP 229
Jan. 29, 2026: Executive Session: 02/04/2026 01:00 pm GP 229
Jan. 15, 2026: Subcommittee Work Session: 01/22/2026 01:15 pm GP 229
Jan. 8, 2026: Public Hearing: 01/15/2026 10:00 am GP 229
Jan. 2, 2026: Public Hearing: 01/15/2026 10:00 am GP 229
Dec. 4, 2025: Introduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Commerce and Consumer Affairs HJ 1 P. 20