New Hampshire Public Safety Grants

State Purchases: RSA 162-V:2

Beginning January 1, 2028, a New Hampshire state agency may purchase or acquire only a drone cleared pursuant to RSA 162-V:3. Before that date it must buy such systems to the extent practicable. From the cutoff, state funds may not pay for a purchase prohibited by the state-agency provision. A contract made in violation of this section is void and unenforceable.

The cross-reference to RSA 162-V:3 matters: the enacted text does not establish a separate Blue UAS clearance list for state agencies. Verify the federal and FCC criteria and any additional agency procurement rules for the actual system.

Local Purchases: RSA 162-V:3

From January 1, 2028, a county, city, town or other political subdivision may not purchase or acquire a drone that fails the requirements of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2024, Public Law 118-31, or that has been included on the FCC Covered List. A purchase or acquisition contract violating this section is void and unenforceable.

The statute is an acquisition rule. It does not create the pre-2028 “to the extent practicable” direction for local buyers, and it does not expressly make operation of an already acquired fleet unlawful. The actual NDAA provisions, FCC listing, agency policy and funding terms require a product-specific assessment.

Executive Order 2025-04: Broader Technology

Governor Ayotte’s October 2025 order addresses foreign-adversary cybersecurity risks in state agencies and their computer systems, including procurement or use of covered risky hardware and software. State-agency buyers should check DoIT/CISO guidance and the current prohibited-technology list before connecting camera systems, networking gear, controllers or applications to a state network.

It is a separate executive-branch measure, not a blanket municipal camera ban. Review any contract, exceptions and security approval with the state IT and procurement offices.

Federal Award and Surveillance Clauses

OMB M-26-02, Appendix D implements the American Security Drone Act restriction on federal award funds to procure or operate FASC-prohibited UAS, subject to applicable exemptions and waivers. BJA requires express prior approval and certifications for UAS purchases with BJA awards.

Section 889 covers specified telecommunications and video-surveillance equipment and services in its own federal context. FCC equipment authorization, the FCC Covered List, TAA and Blue UAS serve different purposes. The New Hampshire statute explicitly names the 2024 NDAA and FCC Covered List; do not substitute an unrelated “NDAA compliant” marketing label.

Build a Cybersecurity Record

Capture the aircraft, payload, camera, radio, controller, firmware and cloud providers. Document vendor access, update source, data routing and residency, encryption, authentication, retention, logging and incident response. Have state IT review executive-branch network connections and seek grant administrator approval for award-funded technology.

Practical New Hampshire UAS Procurement Checklist

1. 1Identify the buyer and money. Record whether the purchaser is a New Hampshire state agency or a county, city, town or other political subdivision, and whether any federal or state funds pay for the system.
2. 2Apply the correct 2028 test. For state agencies, follow RSA 162-V:2 and its cross-reference to RSA 162-V:3; for local governments, check the 2024 NDAA requirements and the FCC Covered List as RSA 162-V:3 specifies.
3. 3Plan for the transition now. Before January 1, 2028, state agencies are directed to buy cleared aircraft to the extent practicable. Document that assessment and the purchase date; do not claim this phrase creates a local exception.
4. 4Review state-network technology. For an executive-branch buyer, check Executive Order 2025-04 and current DoIT/CISO guidance before procuring, installing or connecting cameras, radios, controllers, software or cloud components.
5. 5Check federal terms separately. Screen any federal award-funded UAS against the ASDA/OMB restriction; evaluate Section 889 surveillance/telecom clauses, FCC authorization, TAA and Blue UAS only where applicable.
6. 6Document cybersecurity and allowability. Capture the aircraft and component bill of materials, firmware source, data residency, cloud access, encryption, updates, retention and grant administrator approval; seek BJA prior UAS approval if applicable.
7. 7Keep procurement and flight records. Preserve vendor attestations, Covered List checks, contract terms, grant and agency approvals, FAA authorization and operator records with the file.

Justice and investigations

BJA’s direct Local JAG formula program serves listed jurisdictions. NH DOJ’s state JAG program is administered around state priorities, including its statewide drug task force; do not assume every local agency can apply for a separate open technology subaward.

Homeland security and response

New Hampshire Department of Safety administers homeland-security funding under state and federal priorities. Proposals for interoperable systems, preparedness equipment and training need an eligible applicant, current state notice, approved capability and documented costs.

Municipal cybersecurity

NH DoIT’s SLCGP supports municipal and school-district cyber resilience, including shared services. Define the information-system risk, controls and provider review. A drone or camera should not be counted as an eligible cyber expense without written program approval.

Traffic safety equipment

NH Office of Highway Safety publishes programs for crash-reporting terminals, speed equipment and collision analysis as well as broader enforcement and education. Those program-specific pages are stronger equipment matches than an unspecified general technology grant.

Schools, body cameras and fire

COPS SVPP, BJA body cameras and FEMA AFG have distinct applicant and equipment rules. COPS TEP is a congressional-designation invitation, not a grant open to all departments. The FY2026 COPS SVPP round has closed.