Bill > HB468

This bill establishes comprehensive legal restrictions and criminal penalties for the unlawful use of small unmanned aircraft systems (drones) in New Hampshire. The legislation creates several tiers of offenses, ranging from violations to felonies, depending on the severity of the drone operation. For a first offense of operating a drone in violation of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations, an individual would receive a violation, while subsequent offenses would be considered misdemeanors. More serious offenses include negligently interfering with aircraft flight operations (class A misdemeanor), causing damage to a human-occupied aircraft (class B felony), and causing an aircraft crash resulting in death or serious bodily injury (class A felony). The bill also specifically prohibits operating drones in restricted airspace over correctional facilities, with enhanced penalties if the purpose is to deliver contraband or aid prisoner escape. Additionally, possessing a drone equipped with devices capable of causing serious injury or damage is classified as a class B felony, though with exemptions for public safety and law enforcement personnel. The legislation does not apply to law enforcement officers acting within their official capacity and is set to take effect on January 1, 2026.

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https://gc.nh.gov/bill_status/legacy/bs2016/bill_status.aspx?lsr=708&sy=2025&sortoption=&txtsessionyear=2025&txtbillnumber=HB468