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Bill Summary · SB 670

SB 670 — Drones / Certain Vendor Purchases Prohibited (North Carolina)

Status: Passed 1st Reading (introduced Feb 20, 2025).
Sponsor(s): Senators B. Newton, Brinson, and Daniel (primary sponsors listed in bill text).
Effective / Applicability: The act takes effect upon enactment; it applies to small unmanned aircraft purchased on or after July 1, 2027.

Main purpose

To prohibit North Carolina state government entities and political subdivisions from purchasing (or using state funds to acquire) certain small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) manufactured or assembled by specified foreign vendors or entities deemed a security or supply‑chain risk.

Key provisions

  • Prohibition on purchases and funding

    • Neither the State nor any political subdivision may purchase or otherwise acquire any small unmanned aircraft system manufactured or assembled by a “covered foreign entity.”
    • No State funds (including via contracts, grants, cooperative agreements) may be used for purchases or acquisitions of such sUAS.

  • Definitions

    • Covered foreign entity: any individual, foreign government, or party that meets one or more of the following:
    • Is listed on the U.S. Consolidated Screening List or Entity List;
    • Is domiciled in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) or the Russian Federation;
    • Is under the influence or control of the government of the PRC or the Russian Federation;
    • Is a subsidiary or affiliate of an individual, government, or party of the PRC or the Russian Federation.
    • Small, unmanned aircraft system (sUAS): an unmanned, powered aircraft that:
    • Is operated without the possibility of direct human intervention from on or within the aircraft;
    • May be expendable or recoverable;
    • Weighs less than 55 pounds (including anything attached or carried).

Who is affected

  • All State agencies and departments.
  • Political subdivisions of the State (counties, cities, towns, municipalities, local public authorities).
  • Public entities that use state funds or accept state contracts/grants for procurement of small UAS (e.g., local law enforcement, emergency services, public universities, school districts where applicable).
  • Drone manufacturers, suppliers, and contractors bidding on public procurements in North Carolina.

Timeline & implementation

  • Applies to sUAS purchases made on or after July 1, 2027.
  • Agencies and local governments will need to update procurement rules, vendor vetting, and contracting procedures to ensure compliance with the covered‑entity criteria (including checking federal lists and vendor domiciliation/ownership).
  • The bill text as provided does not specify penalties, enforcement mechanisms beyond the procurement prohibition, or transitional rules for existing equipment owned prior to the effective purchase date.

Practical implications / considerations

  • Likely to remove products from vendors domiciled in or controlled by the PRC or Russia (and vendors on U.S. federal Entity/Screening lists) from eligibility in public procurements — e.g., many commonly used commercial drones could be affected.
  • Agencies will need supply‑chain vetting capability and may face higher costs or procurement delays while sourcing compliant alternatives.
  • The law addresses future purchases; it does not explicitly mandate removal or disposal of sUAS already owned (unless those later purchases are required).
  • No explicit carve‑outs or exemptions are provided in the text (e.g., for research or temporary waivers).

Notes

  • The bill text focuses narrowly on purchase/acquisition and state funding for acquisition; operational use, retention, or third‑party procurement rules are not detailed.
  • Implementation will depend on administrative procurement guidance issued by State authorities after enactment.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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