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HB 468 · 2025 · House · Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee

Drone crime and reckless driving penalties

AI-generated

(New Title) establishing the crime of and penalties for unlawful use of unmanned aircraft systems and changing the reckless driving minimum penalties.

Establishes the crime and penalties for unlawful use of small unmanned aircraft systems and increases the minimum penalties for reckless driving in excess of 100 miles per hour.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · August 11, 2025
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✓Senate
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill establishes the crime of and penalties for unlawful use of small unmanned aircraft systems. This bill further enhances the penalties for driving a vehicle in excess of 100 miles per hour.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as enacted. Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site

“"Operation" or "operate" shall mean "operation of aircraft" or "operate aircraft" as those terms are defined in RSA 422:3, XXII.”
RSA 644:23
“Any person who pleads guilty to an offense under this section that was originally charged with an offense under RSA 265-A:2 or RSA 265-A:3 shall be required to complete a qualified online victim impact panel program, as defined in RSA 265-A:1, VII, unless the court determines that exceptional circumstances exist.”
RSA 265:79
“"Small unmanned aircraft" shall mean "small unmanned aircraft" as it is defined in RSA 422:3, XXVII-a.”
RSA 644:23
“"Small unmanned aircraft system" shall mean "small unmanned aircraft system" as it is defined in RSA 422:3, XXVII-b.”
RSA 644:23

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Terry RoyRPrimeChair· Criminal Justice and Public Safety
  • Sen. Regina BirdsellRMajority Leader

Also: Rep. Jonah WheelerD

Public testimony

5 signed in online · 1 wrote testimony

100% support0% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Time to get these drones under penalty of law. Bring voyeurism and infraction of personal privacy to an end. Amendment needed to stop harassing wildlife; animals are already under stress from weather and predators.”
— Daniel Richardson, Nashuasupports

Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Feb 5, 2025HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0290h13–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Feb 20, 2025HouseVoice voteAmendment 2025-0290hadopted
  • Feb 20, 2025HouseVoice voteOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-0290hadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the House
  • May 1, 2025SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass5–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • May 1, 2025SenateVoice voteSen. Birdsell Moved Laid on Tableadopted
  • Jun 5, 2025SenateVoice voteSen. Birdsell Moved to Remove From Tableadopted
  • Jun 5, 2025SenateVoice voteSen. Birdsell Floor Amendment # 2025-2484sadopted
  • Jun 5, 2025SenateVoice voteOught to Pass with Amendment #2025-2484sadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the Senate
  • Jun 12, 2025HouseDivisionLay HB468 on Table (Rep. McFarlane)Failed66–279
    Overall
    19% yea
  • Jun 12, 2025HouseRoll callHouse Concurs with Senate Amendment 2025-2484s (Rep. Roy)Adopted265–83How they voted
    Overall
    76% yea
    Republicans
    112–8158% yea
    Democrats
    153–299% yea
    Resulting text: Bill as adopted by both chambers
  • Jun 26, 2025SenateVoice voteEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2025-2903eadopted
  • Jun 26, 2025SenateVoice voteEnrolledadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 31, 2025Public hearingHouse Criminal Justice and Public Safety4:29:44–4:34:424m 58slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing; Executive Session
  • Feb 20, 2025Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-0290h — adopted, voice vote; Amendment # 2025-0290h — adopted, voice vote
  • Apr 1, 2025Public hearingSenate Judiciary2:05:30–2:08:222m 52slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • May 1, 2025Floor debateSenate floor1:45:38–1:47:261m 48slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Pending Motion Ought to Pass; HB 468 was Removed from the Consent Calendar
  • Jun 5, 2025Floor debateSenate floor8:41:32–8:44:523m 20slocated in the stream transcriptOught to Pass with Amendment #2025-2484s — adopted, voice vote; Sen. Birdsell Floor Amendment # 2025-2484s — adopted, voice vote; Sen. Birdsell Moved to Remove From Table — adopted, voice vote
  • Jun 12, 2025Floor debateHouse floor27:11–35:488m 37slocated in the stream transcriptHouse Concurs with Senate Amendment 2025-2484s (Rep. Roy) — adopted, roll call 265-83; Lay HB468 on Table (Rep. McFarlane) — failed, division 66-279
  • Jun 26, 2025Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2025-2903e Adopted — voice vote; Enrolled Adopted — voice vote
  • Jun 26, 2025Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2025-2903e — adopted, voice vote; Enrolled (in recess)

Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.

Legislative history

  1. Jan 9, 2025HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 01/09/2025 and referred to Criminal Justice and Public Safety HJ 3 P. 12
  2. Jan 31, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 01/31/2025 02:30 pm LOB 202-204
  3. Jan 31, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 01/31/2025 02:30 pm LOB 202-204
  4. Feb 5, 2025House: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0290h 02/05/2025 (Vote 13-0; CC) HC 12 P. 4
  5. Feb 20, 2025HouseAmendment # 2025-0290h: AA VV 02/20/2025 HJ 6 P. 3
  6. Feb 20, 2025HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-0290h: MA VV 02/20/2025 HJ 6 P. 3
  7. Mar 6, 2025SenIntroduced 03/06/2025 and Referred to Judiciary; SJ 7
  8. Mar 18, 2025SenHearing: 03/18/2025, Room 100, SH, 02:30 pm; SC 13
  9. Apr 1, 2025SenHearing: 04/01/2025, Room 100, SH, 02:00 pm; SC 15
  10. May 1, 2025SenCommittee Report: Ought to Pass, 05/01/2025; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 19
  11. May 1, 2025SenHB 468 was Removed from the Consent Calendar; 05/01/2025; SJ 11
  12. May 1, 2025SenSen. Birdsell Moved Laid on Table, MA, VV; 05/01/2025; SJ 11
  13. May 1, 2025SenPending Motion Ought to Pass; 05/01/2025; SJ 11
  14. Jun 5, 2025SenSen. Birdsell Moved to Remove From Table, MA, VV; 06/05/2025; SJ 15
  15. Jun 5, 2025SenSen. Birdsell Floor Amendment # 2025-2484s, AA, VV; 06/05/2025; SJ 15
  16. Jun 5, 2025SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2025-2484s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 06/05/2025; SJ 15
  17. Jun 12, 2025HouseLay HB468 on Table (Rep. McFarlane): MF DV 66-279 06/12/2025 HJ 17 P. 2
  18. Jun 12, 2025HouseHouse Concurs with Senate Amendment 2025-2484s (Rep. Roy): MA RC 265-83 06/12/2025 HJ 17 P. 2
  19. Jun 26, 2025SenEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2025-2903e Adopted, VV, (In recess of 06/26/2025); SJ 18
  20. Jun 26, 2025HouseEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2025-2903e: AA VV (in recess of) 06/26/2025 HJ 18 P. 60
  21. Jun 26, 2025SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/26/2025); SJ 18
  22. Jun 26, 2025HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/26/2025 HJ 18 P. 63
  23. Aug 1, 2025HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 08/01/2025; Chapter 278; eff.01/01/2026

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.