Senate Bill 670 would prohibit North Carolina state government and its political subdivisions from purchasing or otherwise acquiring small unmanned aircraft systems, commonly known as drones, if they are manufactured or assembled by a “covered foreign entity.” The bill also bars the use of state funds, including funds passed through contracts, grants, or cooperative agreements, for those purchases. The prohibition applies to drones weighing less than 55 pounds and operated without direct human intervention.
The bill defines covered foreign entities broadly to include individuals or parties on the U.S. Consolidated Screening List or Entity List, as well as entities domiciled in, controlled by, or affiliated with the governments or parties of the People’s Republic of China or the Russian Federation. The act would take effect when it becomes law, but it would apply only to drone purchases made on or after July 1, 2027.
Impact
The bill would add a new section to Chapter 143 of the North Carolina General Statutes, creating a statewide procurement restriction for small unmanned aircraft systems. It would affect state agencies, local governments, and other political subdivisions by limiting what drone vendors they may buy from and by restricting the use of state money in related transactions. The practical effect is to steer public procurement toward non-covered vendors and away from drones tied to China, Russia, or entities identified on federal screening lists.
Sentiment
No committee transcripts or recorded votes were provided, so there is no direct evidence of debate or formal support/opposition in the available materials. Based on the bill text and sponsor list, the measure appears to reflect a security-focused policy approach aimed at reducing foreign supply-chain and surveillance risks in public drone purchases. The delayed application date suggests an effort to give agencies and vendors time to adjust procurement practices.
Contention
The likely points of contention are the breadth of the “covered foreign entity” definition and the procurement burden it could place on state and local governments. Supporters would likely emphasize cybersecurity, national security, and supply-chain integrity concerns involving Chinese and Russian-linked manufacturers, while critics may question whether the restrictions are too broad, whether they could limit competition or raise costs, and how agencies will verify ownership, control, or affiliation across complex vendor networks.
An Act Concerning Interactions Between School Personnel And Immigration Authorities, The Purchase And Operation Of Certain Drones, Grants To Certain Nonprofit Organizations, And Student Athlete Compensation Through Endorsement Contracts And Revenue Sharing Agreements.