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 operating a UAS that interferes with emergency response operations or violates existing laws. More severe penalties include a class A misdemeanor for negligent operation that disrupts manned aircraft, a class B felony for causing damage to a manned aircraft, and a class A felony for causing a crash resulting in death or serious injury. Additionally, operating a UAS in FAA-restricted airspace over correctional facilities can lead to misdemeanor or felony charges depending on the intent.

The bill also specifies that possessing or operating a UAS equipped to cause harm can result in a class B felony. However, exemptions are provided for law enforcement and public safety personnel using UAS for specific purposes, such as bomb disposal. The act is set to take effect on January 1, 2026. The fiscal impact of the bill is indeterminable, as it may affect the judicial and correctional systems, potentially influencing costs related to prosecution, incarceration, and probation.