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SB 49 · 2026 · Senate · Judiciary Committee

Drone operation rules

AI-generated

(New Title) relative to the unlawful operation or use of unmanned aircraft systems.

Clarifies which version of federal regulations operators of small unmanned aircraft systems must follow.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · March 23, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓Senate
  3. ✓House
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill clarifies the version of the federal regulation with which operators of small unmanned aircraft systems must comply.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Sen. Regina BirdsellRPrimeMajority Leader
  • Rep. Terry RoyRChair· Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Public testimony

No one submitted online testimony on this bill. See the record

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 28, 2025Public hearingSenate Judiciary32:12–37:245m 12slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Mar 13, 2025Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0754s; Ought to Pass with Amendment #2025-0754s — adopted, voice vote; Committee Amendment # 2025-0754s — adopted, voice vote
  • Apr 9, 2025Public hearingHouse Criminal Justice and Public Safety4:01:31–4:05:213m 50slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Apr 23, 2025Public hearingHouse Criminal Justice and Public SafetyWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full stream==RECESSED== Executive Session
  • Oct 22, 2025Public hearingHouse Criminal Justice and Public SafetyWatchnamed in a list of bills, not taken up — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-3024h (NT); ==RESCHEDULED== Full Committee Work Session; ==RESCHEDULED== Executive Session
  • Jan 7, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-3024h — adopted, voice vote; Amendment # 2025-3024h — adopted, voice vote
  • Feb 5, 2026Floor debateSenate floor1:55:34–1:56:2248slocated in the stream transcriptSen. Gannon Moved to Concur with the House Amendment — adopted, voice vote; Special Order to the Present Time, Without Objection — adopted
  • Mar 5, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled Adopted — voice vote

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

Legislative history

  1. Jan 9, 2025SenIntroduced 01/09/2025 and Referred to Judiciary; SJ 3
  2. Jan 28, 2025SenHearing: 01/28/2025, Room 100, SH, 01:00 pm; SC 7
  3. Mar 13, 2025SenCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0754s, 03/13/2025; Vote 4-0; CC; SC 12
  4. Mar 13, 2025SenCommittee Amendment # 2025-0754s, AA, VV; 03/13/2025; SJ 7
  5. Mar 13, 2025SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2025-0754s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/13/2025; SJ 7
  6. Mar 27, 2025HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 03/27/2025 and referred to Criminal Justice and Public Safety HJ 11 P. 110
  7. Apr 9, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 04/09/2025 02:00 pm LOB 202-204
  8. Apr 23, 2025House==RECESSED== Executive Session: 04/23/2025 11:00 am LOB 202-204
  9. Apr 25, 2025House==CANCELLED== Executive Session: 04/25/2025 10:00 am LOB 202-204
  10. Apr 24, 2025HouseRetained in Committee
  11. Oct 22, 2025House==RESCHEDULED== Full Committee Work Session: 10/22/2025 10:00 am GP 230
  12. Oct 22, 2025House==RESCHEDULED== Executive Session: 10/22/2025 01:00 pm GP 230
  13. Oct 22, 2025House: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-3024h (NT) 10/22/2025 (Vote 16-0; CC) HC 51 P. 7
  14. Jan 7, 2026HouseAmendment # 2025-3024h: AA VV 01/07/2026 HJ 1 P. 48
  15. Jan 7, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-3024h: MA VV 01/07/2026 HJ 1 P. 48
  16. Feb 5, 2026SenSpecial Order to the Present Time, Without Objection, MA; 02/05/2026; SJ 3
  17. Feb 5, 2026SenSen. Gannon Moved to Concur with the House Amendment, MA, VV; 02/05/2026; SJ 3
  18. Mar 11, 2026HouseEnrolled 03/11/2026 HJ 7
  19. Mar 5, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 03/05/2026); SJ 6
  20. Mar 20, 2026SenSigned by the Governor on 03/20/2026; Chapter 6; Effective 05/19/2026

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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