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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 a powered, aerial vehicle that:
I. Does not carry a human operator and is operated without the possibility of direct human intervention from within or on the aircraft;
II. Uses aerodynamic forces to provide vehicle lift;
III. Can fly autonomously or be piloted remotely; and
IV. Can be expendable or recoverable.
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:4.
II. To the extent practicable, state agencies shall purchase or acquire only those drones and unmanned aircraft systems cleared pursuant to RSA 162-V:4 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 other than those cleared pursuant to RSA 162-V:4.
II. To the extent practicable, any county, city, town or other political subdivision shall purchase or acquire only those drones and unmanned aircraft systems cleared pursuant to RSA 162-V:4, prior to January 1, 2028.
III. 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:4 Creation and Maintenance of Cleared Drones List.
I. On or before January 1, 2028, the department of safety, in consultation with the department of administrative services, shall create and shall regularly maintain a cleared list of drones and unmanned aircraft systems that are:
(a) Cleared by the Department of Defense through its "Blue UAS" Program;
(b) Determined to be compliant with the requirements of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2024, Public Law 118-31;
(c) Determined by the department of safety to be designed, maintained, modified, or operated in a manner that they are incapable under normal operating conditions of transmitting data to unauthorized persons or entities; or
(d) Otherwise determined by the department of safety to present no threat to the security of the state.
II. This list shall be updated at least every 6 months, and those devices and vendors on the cleared list shall be preferred over others in state and local procurement actions.
III. In creating and maintaining its cleared list, the department of safety shall consult with recognized cybersecurity experts from the private and public sector to ensure the integrity and security of all data collected by unmanned aircraft systems used in this state.
IV. The cleared list of preferred drones shall be a public document; however, all documents or processes related to its assessment and decision-making process shall be exempt from public disclosure pursuant to RSA 91-A.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
Text to be added highlighted in green.
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 a powered, aerial vehicle that:
I. Does not carry a human operator and is operated without the possibility of direct human intervention from within or on the aircraft;
II. Uses aerodynamic forces to provide vehicle lift;
III. Can fly autonomously or be piloted remotely; and
IV. Can be expendable or recoverable.
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:4.
II. To the extent practicable, state agencies shall purchase or acquire only those drones and unmanned aircraft systems cleared pursuant to RSA 162-V:4 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 other than those cleared pursuant to RSA 162-V:4.
II. To the extent practicable, any county, city, town or other political subdivision shall purchase or acquire only those drones and unmanned aircraft systems cleared pursuant to RSA 162-V:4, prior to January 1, 2028.
III. 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:4 Creation and Maintenance of Cleared Drones List.
I. On or before January 1, 2028, the department of safety, in consultation with the department of administrative services, shall create and shall regularly maintain a cleared list of drones and unmanned aircraft systems that are:
(a) Cleared by the Department of Defense through its "Blue UAS" Program;
(b) Determined to be compliant with the requirements of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2024, Public Law 118-31;
(c) Determined by the department of safety to be designed, maintained, modified, or operated in a manner that they are incapable under normal operating conditions of transmitting data to unauthorized persons or entities; or
(d) Otherwise determined by the department of safety to present no threat to the security of the state.
II. This list shall be updated at least every 6 months, and those devices and vendors on the cleared list shall be preferred over others in state and local procurement actions.
III. In creating and maintaining its cleared list, the department of safety shall consult with recognized cybersecurity experts from the private and public sector to ensure the integrity and security of all data collected by unmanned aircraft systems used in this state.
IV. The cleared list of preferred drones shall be a public document; however, all documents or processes related to its assessment and decision-making process shall be exempt from public disclosure pursuant to RSA 91-A.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.