Would Put Hobbyist Drones In The Same Category As Manned Aircraft For Enforcement Purposes

A bill under consideration by the New Hampshire legislature would add "small unmanned aircraft" to the New Hampshire Aeronautics Act, making the state DOT the primary enforcement agency.

The bill was originally sponsored by State Senator David Watters (D-Dover), who said small (under 55 pound) drones need to be included in the state statute to allow the state to enforce federal regulations.

The Concord Monitor reports that Watters wrote the bill at the request of the state DOT, which acts as the enforcement agency for aviation in the state in concert and consultation with the FAA. The bill would make drones weighing under 55 pounds equivalent to manned aircraft for the purposes of setting and enforcing rules.

National drone advocacy groups have expressed concerns about the bill, which has already passed the State Senate. The opponents say that the bill could lead to New Hampshire having different rules than the rest of the country.

The bill passed the House Transportation Committee on a rare 8-8 vote. Representative Steven Smith (R-Charlestown), who voted against the bill, said there are conflicts in definitions between federal regulations and the proposed state law. "More time is needed to get this language right," Smith wrote in a dissenting statement.

The tie vote means the bill goes to the floor of the State House of Representatives without a recommendation concerning its passage.

(Image from file)

FMI: Source report