Rep. Pyrtle files bill in North Carolina House restricting drone purchases from certain foreign vendors

A new bill filed by State Rep. A. Reece Pyrtle Jr. seeks to prevent North Carolina and its subdivisions from acquiring small unmanned aircraft systems from vendors linked to certain foreign governments, according to the North Carolina State House.

The bill, filed as HB 707 on April 2 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Drones/Certain Vendor Purchases Prohibited.’

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill prohibits the state of North Carolina and its political subdivisions from purchasing or acquiring small unmanned aircraft systems manufactured or assembled by certain foreign vendors. Specifically, the restriction applies to vendors that are on the United States’ Consolidated Screening List or Entity List, are domiciled in the People’s Republic of China or the Russian Federation, are under the influence or control of these governments, or are their subsidiaries or affiliates. The ban is comprehensive, stating that no state funds, including those through contracts, grants, or cooperative agreements, may be used in acquiring such systems. This act takes effect upon becoming law and is applicable to purchases made on or after July 1, 2027.

Of the four sponsors of this bill, Charles W. Miller proposed the most bills (34) during the 2025 regular session.

Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.

You can read more about the bills and other measures here.

Pyrtle graduated from Appalachian State University in 1989 with a BAS.

Pyrtle, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2021 to represent the state’s 65th House district, replacing previous state representative Jerry Carter.