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
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.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:
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.
26-2749
03/23/2026
HB 1444-FN- FISCAL NOTE
AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE (AMENDMENT #2026-0558h)
AN ACT relative to the purchase or acquisition of certain unmanned aircraft systems.
FISCAL IMPACT:
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Estimated State Impact | |||||
| FY 2026 | FY 2027 | FY 2028 | FY 2029 | |
Revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | |
Revenue Fund(s) | None | ||||
Expenditures* | $0 | $0 | Indeterminable | ||
Funding Source(s) | General Fund, Fish and Game Fund, and Highway Fund | ||||
Appropriations* | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | |
Funding Source(s) | None | ||||
*Expenditure = Cost of bill *Appropriation = Authorized funding to cover cost of bill | |||||
| |||||
Estimated Political Subdivision Impact | |||||
| FY 2026 | FY 2027 | FY 2028 | FY 2029 | |
County Revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | |
County Expenditures | $0 | $0 | Indeterminable | ||
Local Revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | |
Local Expenditures | $0 | $0 | Indeterminable | ||
METHODOLOGY:
This bill defines an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) consistent with the statutory definition of “aircraft” and restricts the purchase or acquisition of certain drones by state and local government entities. Beginning January 1, 2028, state agencies may only acquire drones that meet specified clearance requirements, and state funds may not be used to obtain prohibited systems. Similarly, counties, municipalities, and other political subdivisions are prohibited from acquiring drones that do not comply with federal security standards under the National Defense Authorization Act of 2024 or that appear on the Federal Communications Commission’s covered list, with any noncompliant purchase agreements deemed unenforceable.
Department of Safety
The Department states this bill will not create an immediate fiscal impact relative to its UAS operations. The fiscal impact after January 1, 2028, is indeterminable, due to factors that include:
Fish and Game Department
The Department assumes that any drones or UAS purchased on or after January 1, 2028, would be required to comply with the requirements of RSA 162-V. The Department is unable to estimate how many such systems it may need to acquire in the future. Based on current market conditions, compliant drones are estimated to cost between approximately $5,000 and $40,000 per unit, depending on factors such as payload capacity, flight duration, and sensor capabilities. In addition, staff training would be required to operate any newly acquired systems, with annual training costs estimated to range from $2,500 to $5,000. Accordingly, the Department assumes that the combined annual cost for purchasing compliant drones and providing necessary training could range from more than $10,000 to up to $100,000, depending on future operational needs.
County and Local Governments
This bill’s potential impact on county and local governments, if any, is indeterminable and would vary by agency.
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
Department of Safety, Fish and Game Department, and New Hampshire Municipal Association
| 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 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
Feb. 19, 2026: Referred to Finance 02/19/2026 HJ 5
Feb. 19, 2026: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-0558h: MA VV 02/19/2026 HJ 5
Feb. 19, 2026: Amendment # 2026-0558h: AA VV 02/19/2026 HJ 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