relative to the purchase or acquisition of certain unmanned aircraft systems.
HB 1444 requires New Hampshire state agencies and local governments (counties, cities, towns) to stop purchasing or acquiring drones not on an official "cleared list" after January 1, 2028. The bill mandates the Department of Safety to create and maintain a public list of security-compliant drones by that date, including models cleared by the Defense Department, meeting federal security standards, or proven incapable of unauthorized data transmission. All state and local procurement must prioritize drones on this list, with contracts for non-listed drones deemed void. The bill has no new funding impact, as noted in its fiscal analysis.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Dec 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2026
House Passage
Feb 2026
Senate Passage
Apr 2026
Signed into Law
Jun 2026
Introduced Dec 4, 2025
Signed Jun 1, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons
What changed between versions
Version adopted by both bodies
→
CHAPTERED FINAL VERSION
·
4 edits
MODERATE
The bill was finalized as Chapter 95, replacing the previous 'Version Adopted by Both Bodies' header and adding an official approval date and effective date. The core policy text regarding the prohibition on purchasing certain drones by state and local governments remains substantively unchanged, with only minor formatting adjustments to the chapter numbering and spacing.
Scope change
The bill's scope and applicability remain unchanged; it still prohibits state and local governments from acquiring specific drones starting January 1, 2028.
TECHNICAL
The document header was updated from 'Version Adopted by Both Bodies' to 'CHAPTER 95' and 'FINAL VERSION', indicating the bill has been enacted into law.
Minor formatting adjustments were made to the chapter title and section numbering, changing 'New Chapter' to '95:1 New Chapter' and aligning the text layout.
The 'HB 1444-FN - VERSION ADOPTED BY BOTH BODIES' title and associated fiscal note section were removed as they are no longer relevant to the enacted law.
TIMELINE
An official approval date (May 28, 2026) and effective date (July 27, 2026) were added to the final version, clarifying when the legislative process concluded.
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
17
Key actions
7
Committee
8
Amendments
1
Jun 1, 2026
Signed into law
Signed by Governor Ayotte 05/28/2026; Chapter 95; eff. 07/27/2026
lower
Apr 10, 2026
Upper · Passed
Ought to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 04/16/2026; SJ 9
upper
Apr 9, 2026
Upper · Passed
Committee Report: Ought to Pass, 04/16/2026; Vote 4-1; CC; SC 14
upper
Feb 25, 2026
Introduced
Introduced 02/19/2026 and Referred to Judiciary; SJ 5
upper
Feb 19, 2026
Committee
Referral Waived by Committee Chair per House Rule 47(f) 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 112
lower
Feb 19, 2026
Committee
Referred to Finance 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 39
lower
Feb 19, 2026
Lower · Passed
Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-0558h: MA VV 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 5
lower
Feb 19, 2026
Introduced
Amendment # 2026-0558h: AA VV 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 5
lower
Feb 11, 2026
Lower · Passed
Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0558h 02/04/2026 (Vote 14-0; CC) HC 7 P. 4
lower
Jan 29, 2026
Lower · Passed
Subcommittee Work Session: 02/04/2026 10:15 am GP 229
lower
Jan 15, 2026
Lower · Passed
Subcommittee Work Session: 01/22/2026 01:15 pm GP 229
lower
Dec 4, 2025
Introduced
Introduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Commerce and Consumer Affairs HJ 1 P. 20
lower
1 primary · 8 co-sponsors
Sponsors
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