HB 707 North Carolina House · 2025-2026 Session

Drones/Certain Vendor Purchases Prohibited.

HB 707 prohibits North Carolina state agencies and local governments from purchasing small drones (under 55 pounds) made or assembled by foreign vendors linked to China or Russia, or listed on U.S. sanctions lists. The bill directly affects all state and local government entities that buy drone technology, banning the use of state funds for such purchases starting July 1, 2027. Key provisions define "covered foreign entities" as those tied to Chinese/Russian governments, on U.S. sanctions lists, or controlled by those nations. This law aims to restrict drone acquisitions from specific foreign sources without altering existing drone usage policies.

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Apr 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Apr 2, 2025 Last action Apr 15, 2025

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What changed between versions

Edition 1 → Edition 2 · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to remove references to 'small' unmanned aircraft, broadening the prohibition to cover all unmanned aircraft regardless of size. The definition of 'unmanned aircraft' was updated to reference an existing state statute, and a new provision was added stating that contracts violating the ban are void. The effective date was clarified to apply to aircraft purchased or acquired on or after July 1, 2027.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded from prohibiting purchases of 'small' unmanned aircraft to prohibiting purchases of all 'unmanned aircraft', regardless of weight or size.

SCOPE

Removed the word 'small' from the prohibition language, expanding the ban to cover all unmanned aircraft manufactured or assembled by covered foreign entities rather than just those under 55 pounds.

DEFINITION

Changed the definition of 'small, unmanned aircraft system' to simply 'unmanned aircraft' and added a reference to G.S. 15A-300.1 for the legal definition.

ENFORCEMENT

Added a new provision stating that any contract entered into in violation of the section is void, providing clearer legal consequences for non-compliance.

TIMELINE

Clarified the effective date and applicability language to specify that the act applies to aircraft purchased or acquired on or after July 1, 2027.

TECHNICAL

Removed references to 'small, unmanned aircraft system' in the effective date section to align with the broader scope of the amendment.

Floor votes

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 15, 2025

Committee

Re-ref Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

lower

Apr 15, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reptd Fav Com Substitute

lower

Apr 9, 2025

Committee

Serial Referral To Finance Stricken

lower

Apr 3, 2025

Committee

Ref to the Com on State and Local Government, if favorable, Finance, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

lower

Apr 2, 2025

Introduced

Filed

lower

3 primary · 5 co-sponsors