State-Level UAP Legislation
State-level UAP legislation tracks U.S. state (subnational) efforts to establish UAP research programs, distinct from federal disclosure legislation tracked in uap-disclosure.
Enacted
| State | Law | Effective | Provision |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | UAP Research Center Act | January 2026 | Partners higher-education institutions with state agencies to study UAP |
Proposed
| State | Bill | Status | Provision |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | H.B. 5422 | Appropriations Committee hearing March 12, 2026 | Directs UConn to partner with state agencies to study UAP and explore a dedicated state center |
Connecticut would become the second state to legislate UAP study if H.B. 5422 passes. The bill has bipartisan support from joe-hoxha (R) and aundre-bumgardner (D). See src-connecticut-uap-disclosure-bill-2026.
Context
State-level efforts emerged alongside the 2024 New Jersey drone wave and federal uap-disclosure momentum. They complement but do not duplicate federal programs like aaro, instead focusing on localized data collection, public reporting mechanisms, and academic research partnerships.