Citizen in a RepublicNH Bill Briefing
← All bills

HB 1444 · 2026 · House · Commerce and Consumer Affairs Committee

Banning certain government drone purchases

AI-generated

relative to the purchase or acquisition of certain unmanned aircraft systems.

Prohibits state and local governments from acquiring certain unmanned aircraft systems after January 1, 2028.AI-generated

Status

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

Analysis

This bill prohibits the state or local governments from acquiring certain drones or unmanned aircraft systems after January 1, 2028.

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

“As used in this chapter, “unmanned aircraft system” or “drone” means the same as "aircraft" as defined in RSA 422:3, VI.”
RSA 162-V:1
“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:3.”
RSA 162-V:2
“To the extent practicable, state agencies shall purchase or acquire only those drones and unmanned aircraft systems cleared pursuant to RSA 162-V:3 prior to January 1, 2028.”
RSA 162-V:2
“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.”
RSA 162-V:2

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Michael MoffettRPrimeChair· State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs
  • Rep. Lisa FreemanRAssistant Majority Whip
  • Rep. Jennifer MandelbaumDClerk· State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs
  • Rep. Jeanine NotterRAssistant Majority Leader
  • Rep. James CreightonRChair· Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services
  • Sen. Howard PearlRChair· Executive Departments and Administration
  • Sen. Victoria SullivanRVice Chair· Education

Also: Rep. Jose CambrilsR, Rep. Melissa LitchfieldR

Public testimony

2 signed in online · 1 wrote testimony

0% support100% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Opposition Testimony Against HB 1444 The proposed HB 1444 stands to disproportionately amplify state surveillance under the guise of security, unnecessarily profiting select manufacturers while neglecting the voices of impacted communities.…”
— georgina Lambert, Belmontopposes

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 4, 2026HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0558h14–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Feb 19, 2026HouseVoice voteAmendment 2026-0558hadopted
  • Feb 19, 2026HouseVoice voteOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0558hadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the House
  • Apr 16, 2026SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass4–1
    Overall
    80% yea
  • Apr 16, 2026SenateVoice voteOught to Passadopted
  • May 14, 2026SenateVoice voteEnrolledadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 15, 2026Public hearingHouse Commerce and Consumer Affairs1:17–8:287m 11slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Jan 22, 2026Public hearingHouse Commerce and Consumer Affairs3:49:42–3:54:495m 7slocated in the stream transcriptSubcommittee Work Session
  • Feb 4, 2026Public hearingHouse Commerce and Consumer AffairsWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0558h; Subcommittee Work Session; Executive Session
  • Feb 19, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0558h — adopted, voice vote; Amendment # 2026-0558h — adopted, voice vote; Referred to Finance
  • Mar 10, 2026Public hearingSenate Judiciary54:14–58:304m 16slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Apr 16, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Ought to Pass — adopted, voice vote
  • May 14, 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 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Commerce and Consumer Affairs HJ 1 P. 20
  2. Jan 15, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/15/2026 10:00 am GP 229
  3. Jan 22, 2026HouseSubcommittee Work Session: 01/22/2026 01:15 pm GP 229
  4. Feb 4, 2026HouseSubcommittee Work Session: 02/04/2026 10:15 am GP 229
  5. Feb 4, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/04/2026 01:00 pm GP 229
  6. Feb 4, 2026House: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0558h 02/04/2026 (Vote 14-0; CC) HC 7 P. 4
  7. Feb 19, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-0558h: AA VV 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 5
  8. Feb 19, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0558h: MA VV 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 5
  9. Feb 19, 2026HouseReferred to Finance 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 39
  10. Feb 19, 2026HouseReferral Waived by Committee Chair per House Rule 47(f) 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 112
  11. Feb 19, 2026SenIntroduced 02/19/2026 and Referred to Judiciary; SJ 5
  12. Mar 10, 2026SenHearing: 03/10/2026, Room 100, SH, 01:45 pm; SC 9
  13. Apr 16, 2026SenCommittee Report: Ought to Pass, 04/16/2026; Vote 4-1; CC; SC 14
  14. Apr 16, 2026SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 04/16/2026; SJ 9
  15. May 14, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 05/14/2026); SJ 13
  16. May 14, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 147
  17. May 28, 2026HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 05/28/2026; Chapter 95; eff. 07/27/2026

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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