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HB 1291 · 2026 · House · Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee

Banning drones over critical infrastructure

AI-generated

criminalizing the use of small unmanned aircraft systems for the purposes of flying over critical infrastructure and events without authorization.

Adds prohibited uses to the offense of unlawful operation of small unmanned aircraft systems by criminalizing unauthorized flights over critical infrastructure and events.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · March 5, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill adds additional prohibited uses to the offense of unlawful operation or use of small unmanned aircraft system.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Clayton WoodRPrime
  • Rep. Lisa PostRClerk· Commerce and Consumer Affairs
  • Sen. Regina BirdsellRMajority Leader

Also: Rep. Jeffrey TenczarR, Rep. Sandra PanekR

Public testimony

4 signed in online · 1 wrote testimony

50% support50% oppose0% neutral

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Jan 30, 2026HouseCommittee report· consent calendarCommittee report: Inexpedient to Legislate10–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 5, 2026HouseVoice voteInexpedient to Legislateadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 30, 2026Public hearingHouse Criminal Justice and Public Safety0:40–5:034m 23slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate; Public Hearing; Executive Session
  • Mar 5, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamInexpedient to Legislate — adopted, voice vote

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

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Criminal Justice and Public Safety HJ 1 P. 14
  2. Jan 30, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/30/2026 10:00 am GP 159
  3. Jan 30, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 01/30/2026 10:00 am GP 159
  4. Jan 30, 2026House: Inexpedient to Legislate 01/30/2026 (Vote 10-0; CC) HC 9 P. 6
  5. Mar 5, 2026HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 03/05/2026 HJ 6 P. 6

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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