This bill amends RSA 216-A to permit the use of drones or small unmanned aircraft in state parks for both commercial and recreational purposes, contingent upon certain conditions. Operators must possess either a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) 14 C.F.R. Part 107 certificate or have passed the Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST). The bill outlines specific exceptions where drone operation is prohibited, including interference with park enjoyment, during ski season at Cannon Mountain, and at Flume Gorge from May to October. Additionally, the commissioner has the authority to waive these exceptions for good cause. Operators are held liable for any damages caused by their drones and must retrieve drones that land in state parks, with a potential retrieval fee of up to $100.

The bill also establishes a fee structure for commercial drone operations, allowing the Department of Natural and Cultural Affairs to charge up to $25 per day for drone use, with fines for violations reaching up to $300. Notably, the bill prohibits the use of drones for video surveillance of private citizens without consent. The effective date for this legislation is set for January 1, 2026. The fiscal impact of the bill is currently indeterminable, as it is unclear how many commercial operators will utilize the parks or how many violations may occur, which could affect both revenue and expenditures for the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.