Ohio HB251: Regards drone use by law enforcement; aviation facilities

What the bill says

An act To amend sections 4561.01 and 4561.11 and to enact sections 4561.60, 4561.61, 4561.62, 4561.63, 4561.64, and 5501.84 of the Revised Code to establish requirements related to the use and purchase of an unmanned aerial vehicle by law enforcement and other public entities and to expressly incorporate additional aviation facilities into the Aeronautics Law.

From the enrolled text, June 10, 2026:

AN ACT To amend sections 4561.01 and 4561.11 and to enact sections 4561.60, 4561.61, 4561.62, 4561.63, 4561.64, and 5501.84 of the Revised Code to establish requirements related to the use and purchase of an unmanned aerial vehicle by law enforcement and other public entities and to expressly incorporate additional aviation facilities into the Aeronautics Law. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Ohio: Section 1. That sections 4561.01 and 4561.11 be amended and sections 4561.60, 4561.61, 4561.62, 4561.63, 4561.64, and 5501.84 of the Revised Code be enacted to read as follows: Sec. 4561.01. As used in sections 4561.01 to 4561.27 of the Revised Code: (A) "Aviation" means transportation by aircraft; operation of aircraft; the establishment, operation, maintenance, repair, and improvement of airports, seaplane bases, heliports, vertiports, spaceports, landing fields, and other air navigation facilities; and all other activities connected therewith or incidental thereto. (B) "Aircraft" means any manned device used or intended for flight in the air. "Aircraft" does not include an ultralight vehicle as defined by 14 C.F.R. part 103. (C) "Airport" means any location either on land or water which is used for the landing and taking off of aircraft. (D) "Landing field" means any location either on land or water of such size and nature as to permit the landing or taking off …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Bernard Willis (R, 74) · primary sponsor
• Adam Bird (R, 63)
• Sean Brennan (D, 14)
• Thaddeus Claggett (R, 68)
• Jack Daniels (R, 32)
• Kellie Deeter (R, 54)
• Michael Dovilla (R, 17)
• Tex Fischer (R, 59)
• Derrick Hall (D, HD-034)
• Thomas Hall (R, 46)
• Mark Hiner (R, 98)
• Adam Holmes (R, 97)

Latest actions

1. October 6, 2026: Effective Certain provisions effective October 6, 2030
2. July 7, 2026: Signed By The Governor
3. July 1, 2026: Sent To The Governor
4. June 10, 2026: Passed
5. June 10, 2026: Reported - Substitute
6. June 10, 2026: Concurred in Senate amendments
7. June 10, 2026: The question being, Shall the amendments be concurred in?
8. June 10, 2026: Message Read
9. November 19, 2025: Referred to committee
10. November 18, 2025: Introduced

Votes

• Passed (June 10, 2026): 31 yea, 2 nay, passed
• Passed (June 10, 2026): 89 yea, 5 nay, passed
• Favorable Passage (June 10, 2026): 5 yea, 1 nay, failed
• Passed (November 12, 2025): 94 yea, 2 nay, passed
• Favorable Passage (October 29, 2025): 13 yea, 0 nay, failed

Common questions

What is HB251?

HB251 is a bill in the Ohio Legislature (136th General Assembly): Regards drone use by law enforcement; aviation facilities.

What does HB251 do?

In its own words: An act To amend sections 4561.01 and 4561.11 and to enact sections 4561.60, 4561.61, 4561.62, 4561.63, 4561.64, and 5501.84 of the Revised Code to establish requirements related to the use and purchase of an unmanned aerial vehicle by law enforcement and other public entities and to expressly incorporate additional aviation facilities into the Aeronautics Law.

What is the status of HB251?

Signed into law as of October 6, 2026. Latest action: Effective Certain provisions effective October 6, 2030 (October 6, 2026).

Who sponsored HB251?

Bernard Willis (R, 74), with 11 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for HB251?

On the Ohio Legislature website: https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/136/hb251