Read the full stored bill text
As Introduced
136th
General Assembly
Regular
Session
S. B. No. 180
2025-2026
Senator Johnson
Cosponsors: Senators Brenner, Cirino
To
enact section 5501.84 of the Revised Code
to
prohibit the purchase of small unmanned aircraft systems manufactured
or assembled by a covered foreign entity.
BE
IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF OHIO:
Section
1.
That
section 5501.84 of the Revised Code be enacted to read as follows:
Sec.
5501.84.
(A)
As used in this section:
(1)
"Foreign adversary" means
a
country listed on the registry published by the secretary of state
under division (C) of this section.
(2)
"Public entity" means the state and all political
subdivisions of the state, including all boards, authorities,
commissions, agencies, committees, councils, state colleges or
universities, and other state entities created by the Ohio
Constitution or the Revised Code.
(3)
"Small unmanned aircraft system" means a powered, aerial
vehicle to which all of the following apply:
(a)
The vehicle does not carry a human operator and is operated without
the possibility of direct human intervention from within or on the
vehicle.
(b)
The aircraft uses aerodynamic forces to provide lift.
(c)
The vehicle can fly autonomously or be piloted remotely.
(d)
The vehicle is either expendable or recoverable.
"Small
unmanned aircraft system" is commonly referred to as a drone and
does not include a satellite.
(B)(1)
A public entity shall not purchase or otherwise acquire a small
unmanned aircraft system that is manufactured or assembled by a
foreign adversary.
(2)
No state funds shall be used in connection with small unmanned
aircraft systems manufactured or assembled by a foreign adversary,
including state funds that are awarded through a contract, grant, or
cooperative agreement or that are otherwise made available.
(3)
On or after May 1, 2027, a public entity shall not operate a small
unmanned aircraft system manufactured or assembled by a foreign
adversary.
(C)(1)
The secretary of state shall compile and update at least one time
every six months a 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.
(2)
The registry shall be published on the secretary of state's web site.
(3)
The secretary of state shall consult all of the following in
compiling the registry:
(a)
The list of persons determined by the secretary of commerce of the
United States to have engaged in a long-term pattern or serious
instances of conduct significantly adverse to the national security
of the United States or the security and safety of United States
persons and, therefore, to constitute foreign adversaries for the
purposes of Executive Order 13873, issued by the president of the
United States on May 15, 2019;
(b)
The terrorist exclusion list compiled by the secretary of state of
the United States in consultation with the attorney general of the
United States under 8 U.S.C. 1182;
(c)
The list of countries determined by the secretary of state of the
United States that have repeatedly provided support for acts of
international terrorism under 50 U.S.C. 4813(c) and 22 U.S.C.
2780(d);
(d)
The list of individuals and entities designated by or in accordance
with Executive Order 13224, issued by the president of the United
States on September 23, 2021, or Executive Order 13268, issued by the
president of the United States on July 2, 2002.
(4)
The secretary of state shall not include on the registry any person
that does not appear on at least one of the federal lists described
in division (C)(3) of this section.