Bill > HB317

This bill prohibits Ohio public entities from purchasing, acquiring, or operating small unmanned aircraft systems (drones) manufactured or assembled by "covered foreign entities", specifically targeting companies from China and Russia. A "covered foreign entity" is defined as an individual, government, or organization that is either on a U.S. Department of Commerce screening list, domiciled in China or Russia, under the influence of those governments, or a subsidiary of such an entity. The bill defines a small unmanned aircraft system (drone) as an unmanned, remotely piloted or autonomous aerial vehicle that uses aerodynamic forces for lift and can be either expendable or recoverable. The restrictions are comprehensive: public entities cannot purchase such drones using any state funds, and by May 1, 2027, they must cease operating any existing drones manufactured by covered foreign entities. This legislation appears aimed at addressing potential national security concerns by limiting the use of drone technology from countries deemed potentially adversarial, and applies to all Ohio public entities, including state agencies, universities, and local government bodies.

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https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/136/hb317