The bill amends sections 4561.01 and 4561.11 of the Revised Code and introduces new sections 4561.60 to 4561.64 and 5501.84, establishing comprehensive regulations for the use and purchase of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) by law enforcement and public entities in Ohio. It expands the definition of aviation to encompass various facilities, including seaplane bases and spaceports, and sets forth conditions for law enforcement's use of UAVs, requiring search warrants in certain cases while allowing warrantless use in specific situations such as border patrol. Furthermore, the bill prohibits public entities from acquiring UAV systems from foreign adversaries and mandates documentation and retention of flight and surveillance data, which will be considered public records unless exempted. Additionally, the bill establishes a new registry of foreign adversaries and other persons that, based on the best information available to the secretary of state, constitute a threat to the agricultural production, critical infrastructure, security, or military defense of this state or the United States. This registry will be published on the secretary of state's website and compiled using input from various federal lists identifying individuals and entities posing national security risks. The bill also repeals existing sections 4561.01 and 4561.11, marking a significant update to the legal framework for managing national security threats. The new provisions are set to take effect forty-eight months after the bill's enactment, allowing time for the implementation of the registry and related processes.

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