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 offenses related to the operation of small UAS. A person can be charged with a misdemeanor for a first offense if they operate a UAS that interferes with law enforcement or emergency operations, or violates existing laws. Subsequent offenses escalate to felony charges, with specific penalties for negligent operation that disrupts manned aircraft, damages aircraft, or causes crashes resulting in serious injury or death. Additionally, operating a UAS in restricted airspace over correctional facilities or military installations carries its own set of penalties, including felony charges for delivering contraband.

The bill also includes exemptions for law enforcement officers acting within their lawful authority and for public safety bomb squad personnel using UAS for disposal of hazardous devices. The effective date for this legislation is set for 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 for the state and local governments.