This bill establishes the crime of unlawful operation or use of small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and outlines the associated penalties. It introduces a new section, RSA 644:23, which categorizes various offenses related to the operation of small UAS. A person can be charged with a misdemeanor for a first offense and a felony for subsequent offenses if they operate a UAS that interferes with emergency operations, military installations, or violates existing laws. Additional penalties include a class A misdemeanor for negligent operation that disrupts manned aircraft, a class B felony for causing damage to such aircraft, and a class A felony for causing crashes resulting in death or serious injury.

The bill also specifies penalties for operating a UAS in FAA-restricted airspace over correctional facilities or military installations, with harsher penalties for those attempting to deliver contraband or aid in prisoner escapes. Furthermore, it criminalizes the possession or operation of a UAS equipped to cause serious harm, while exempting certain law enforcement activities. The act is set to take effect on January 1, 2026. The fiscal impact of the bill is indeterminable, as it may affect judicial and correctional systems, potentially influencing costs related to prosecution and incarceration.