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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 establishes the crime of and penalties for unlawful use of small unmanned aircraft systems. This bill is at the request of the department of safety.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

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

Hearings

  • 2025-01-281:00 pmSenate JudiciarySH 100Public hearing
  • 2025-04-0910:00 amHouse Criminal Justice and Public SafetyLOB 202-204Public hearing
  • 2025-04-2311:00 amHouse Criminal Justice and Public SafetyLOB 202-204Public hearing
  • 2025-04-2510:00 amHouse Criminal Justice and Public SafetyLOB 202-204Public hearingcancelled
  • 2025-10-2210:00 amHouse Criminal Justice and Public SafetyGP 230Public hearingrescheduled
  • 2025-10-221:00 pmHouse Criminal Justice and Public SafetyGP 230Public hearingrescheduled

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.