OHIO LEGISLATIVE SERVICE COMMISSION
Office of Research Legislative Budget
www.lsc.ohio.gov and Drafting Office
H.B. 477 Bill Analysis
135th General Assembly
Click here for H.B. 477’s Fiscal Note
Version: As Reported by House Aviation and Aerospace
Primary Sponsor: Rep. Willis
Effective date:
Margaret E. Marcy, Attorney
SUMMARY
 Includes specific references to several locations used for the landing and takeoff of
aircraft within Ohio Aeronautics Law by adding seaplane bases, heliports, vertiports, and
spaceports to that Law.
 Incorporates the establishment, operation, maintenance, repair, and improvement of
seaplane bases, heliports, vertiports, and spaceports into the meaning of aviation.
 Clarifies that the Ohio Department of Transportation must issue a certificate of approval
before any seaplane base, heliport, vertiport, or spaceport may be used for commercial
purposes.
DETAILED ANALYSIS
Aeronautics
The bill includes specific references to several locations used for the landing and
takeoff of aircraft within Ohio Aeronautics Law. Specifically, it defines seaplane bases,
heliports, vertiports, and spaceports, and specifies that the establishment, operation,
maintenance, repair, and improvement of seaplane bases, heliports, vertiports, and spaceports
is encompassed within the meaning of aviation. By doing so, the bill separates these aviation
facilities from the more general meaning of “airport,” which includes any location on land or
water that is used for the landing or takeoff of aircraft.1
 This analysis was prepared before the report of the House Aviation and Aerospace Committee appeared
in the House Journal. Note that the legislative history may be incomplete.
1 R.C. 4561.01(A), (C), and (L) through (O).
June 25, 2024
Office of Research and Drafting LSC Legislative Budget Office
Additionally, the bill clarifies that the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) must
issue a certificate of approval for any seaplane base, heliport, vertiport, or spaceport before it is
used for commercial purposes. Under current law, these facilities likely are already required to
obtain the certificate of approval, but as a kind of airport or landing area, rather than as their
more precise terms. The bill specifies that current laws applicable to ODOT’s approval process
for a commercial airport, landing field, and landing area apply to the approval process for the
additional aviation facilities. Those current laws, which likely already apply, include requirements
for filing complete plans for the facility, public access to the facility, information to be included
with rejected applications, and appeals processes.2
The bill also changes an antiquated reference to the Civil Aeronautics Administration to
its current successor, the Federal Aviation Administration.3
Aviation facilities
The aviation facilities defined by the bill are as follows:
 Seaplane base – a designated area of water used or intended to be used for the landing
and takeoff of seaplanes, including shore side access and any appurtenant buildings and
facilities.
 Heliport – the area of land, water, or a structure that is used or intended to be used for
the landing and takeoff of helicopters, including any appurtenant buildings and facilities.
 Vertiport – the identifiable ground or elevated areas, including the facilities thereon, that
are designed to be used for the landing and takeoff of rotorcraft, tilt-rotor aircraft, or
other powered lift aircraft.
 Spaceport – any facility in Ohio at which space vehicles may be landed or launched,
including all facilities and support infrastructure related to the launch, landing, and
payload processing.4
HISTORY
Action Date
Introduced 04-08-24
Reported, H. Aviation & Aerospace ---
ANHB0477RH-135/ts
2 R.C. 4561.11.
3 R.C. 4561.11(D)(1).
4 R.C. 4561.01(L) through (O).
P a g e |2 H.B. 477
As Reported by House Aviation and Aerospace


Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 4561.01, 4561.11
As Reported By House Committee: 4561.01, 4561.11