March 25, 2026 · Armed Services, Veterans Affairs and Public Safety Committee · 2,084 words · 7 speakers · 73 segments
The Armed Services, Veterans Affairs, and Public Safety Committee to order. Clerk will call the roll. Chair Johnson.
Here.
Vice Chair Wilson.
Present.
Ranking Member Weinstein.
Senator Craig. Here.
Senator Schaefer.
Here. Senator Patton.
Here.
Okay, we do have a quorum. We'll be proceeding as a full committee.
The minutes from the last meeting are on your iPad. add, does anyone have any objections or discussion of those minutes? Seeing none, they'll stand approved. We always begin with prayer and a pledge, and I would be so honored if my esteemed colleague Senator Craig would offer the prayer today.
Let us pray. God, we are grateful for your goodness and your mercy, your kindness to us. God, help us to conduct our business with respect and dignity. all of this we pray in your holy name Amen
Thank you sir and we'll have Senator Schaefer lead us in the pledge
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all
All right, so we're going to begin with governor's appointments. We have five individuals to the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission, ten individuals to the State Board of Emergency Medical Fire and Transportation Services, five individuals to the State Emergency Response Commission, one individual to the State Fire Council. Please review those governor's appointments on your iPads. Do we have any objections to these appointments?
Object.
You may proceed, sir.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I move to separate out the appointment of Sheriff Vernon Stanford to the Ohio Peace Officer Commission and vote on it separately.
Okay, very good. That's your motion?
That's my motion.
Okay, very good. I recognize Senator Wilson for a motion.
Mr. Chairman, I would move to table.
Okay. We'll take a vote, clerk, on the tabling. Chair Johnson. Yes.
Vice Chair Wilson. Yes.
Senator Craig. No.
Senator Patton. Yes.
Senator Schaefer. Yes.
Okay, so the amendment is tabled. We'll now vote on the slate of governor's appointments. Clerk, call the roll. Senator Johnson. Yes.
Senator Wilson. Yes.
Senator Craig. Yes.
Senator Patton. Yes.
Senator Schaefer. Yes.
Okay, so the Governor's appointments stand approved, and those will be referred on to the Committee on Rules and Reference, of course. Next we're going to have first sponsor hearing on sub-House Bill 251, that's Representative Willis, regarding drone use by law enforcement law enforcement and aviation facilities. Unfortunately, Representative Willis can't be with us today, so we do have Logan and I can quite decipher the Sanskrit that my aide wrote here What your last name sir It Hanum Very good
Thank you very much, and we're delighted to have you.
Yes, sir. And this does occasionally happen. I had to do it one time when I was over in the house, and we had like four things going at once that day.
Yes, some things come up that are unexpected, so you just kind of have to step up when you're asked to.
That's right.
Happy to do so.
Delighted to have you. Is this the first time you've done this?
This is my first time, so if I stutter, just blame the representative.
Just to let you know you're under extreme scrutiny.
Okay, good. That's all I ask for.
All right. All right.
Chairman Johnson, Vice Chair Wilson, Ranking Member Weinstein, and members of the Senate Armed Services, Veteran Affairs, and Public Safety Committee, thank you for the opportunity to speak on Sub-House Bill 251, which updates Ohio law to address the use of unmanned aerial vehicles, UAVs, by law enforcement. This legislation also modernizes the state's aviation definitions to better align the expanding field of advanced air mobility. My name is Logan Hannum, and I serve as a legislative aide to Representative Bernie Willis. Unfortunately, he is unable to make it to today's committee hearing, so I'll be providing sponsored testimony on his behalf. As technology advances, our laws must keep pace to protect both public safety and constitutional rights. The Fourth Amendment protects all citizens from unreasonable searches and seizures. that principles don't disappear simply because technology changes. While officers do not need a warrant to view what's visible from a manned aircraft, drones change that equation. They can hover lower, stay longer, and collect far more detailed data than ever before. That's why HB 251 establishes a clear warrant requirement. If a law enforcement officer would need a warrant to enter or observe a property in person, they'd also need to obtain a warrant to observe it with a drone. Evidence gathered without a drone, when it is required, cannot be used in court. This safeguard ensures the integrity of our justice system and reinforces the rule of law. However, this bill also recognizes the flexibility is sometimes needed. UAVs can save lives and improve safety when used responsibly. This legislation outlies specific exceptions where warrantless drone use is permitted, such as during natural disasters, weather-related disasters, for traffic accident investigations, in extradition circumstances or for research, education, and training purposes. Some additions were added that can provide an important clarification, allowing UAVs to operate in navigable airspace in a physically non-intrusive manner to observe what is already visible to the naked eye. This mirrors long-standing aviation precedents and gives the law enforcement clear guidance when operating reasonably in public airspace. To maintain transparency and accountability, the bill requires agencies to document every UAV flight and under this amendment to record flight data and surveillance data. These records must be retained, verified, and made available as public records unless an existing exemption applies. Beyond, sorry, this bill also makes it clear that UAVs cannot be armed and that law enforcement cannot authorize private-to-private surveillance without consent. These provisions keep Ohio focused on safety, not overreach. Beyond UAV policy, House Bill 251 strengthens Ohio's leadership in aviation by updating our definitions of law. It formally recognizes heliports, vertebra ports, seaplane bases, and spaceport facilities that would define the next era of flight. This aligns with our statutes with today industry and standards and supports continued growth in Ohio aviation and aerospace economy from Dayton to Springfield and spaceports developments now emerging across our state This bill also includes technical changes that were made from House Bill 77 of the 135th General Assembly, ensuring our aviation code remains accurate and consistent across Ohio laws. Additionally, there's a substitute bill in the work that will be coming soon, which will include safety safeguards regarding the use and procurement of unmanned aerial vehicle systems manufactured by foreign adversaries. By restricting the purchase and operation of foreign-made drones by public entities, this legislation strengthens Ohio's commitment to protecting sensitive data, critical infrastructure, and national interest. These provisions ensure that we expand our use of UAV technology. We do so in a way that prioritizes both innovation and security. This legislation reflects thoughtful bipartisan collaboration. It balances innovation, privacy, and accountability, ensuring Ohio remains both the national model for UAV policy and a global leader in aerial development. Ohio is not just the birthplace of aviation. I will repeat this because this is what the representative would do. We are not just the birthplace of aviation. We are the home of aviation. And because of that, 251 helps honor this legacy. Ohio continues to lead with foresight, integrity, and responsibility. We encourage the passage of this bill, and I'm happy to take any questions. Thank you.
So even under intense scrutiny, you did great.
Thank you. I appreciate it.
Every once in a while, we can step up.
Yeah, it's a good deal.
Any questions for the witness? Senator Patton.
Thank you, Chairman. I'm not going to let you off without a question.
Of course not.
Was there any opponents when the bill was in the House?
Through the chair, through the senator.
So when we initially brought this bill up, there were a couple people who came out. The Fraternal Order of Police came out, and they had some questions that they wanted us to address. We never actually made it to opponent testimony with them because we were able to mend in some of the changes that they want and sought. We were even able to turn some of our initial opponents into interested parties. So when it comes to actual opposition, we have received none.
Follow-up, sir. So how would you say your relationship is with the FOP?
Have they become interested parties?
Are they still, as one sitting in the room right behind you, I want to remind you. So let me know what they think.
Of course. Through the chair, through the senator. So our last conversations with the FOP were good. They wanted to learn more about the bill when we had a final sit-down conversation back in February. But from our understanding, they have been in support of this bill, and we're looking forward to this. We've also been updating everyone with any changes that have been coming towards it.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Any other questions? Seeing none, thank you very much for coming in today. And we really appreciate you pinch-hitting. You did a great job.
I appreciate it. Thank you guys very much. Thank you.
Okay, that will conclude the first hearing on substitute House Bill 251. We now moving on to fourth hearing no testimony on Senate Bill 321 Senator Schaefer regarding carrying of firearms by certain special police officers I recognize Senator Schaefer with an amendment Thank you Mr Chairman I move to amend the bill with AM2084
That amendment
is in order and you may proceed.
Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. This amendment came at the request of the two agencies, the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities and the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health. and it does the following. And I'll just refer to the two agencies if you don't mind as I describe it. The amendment clarifies that the bill applies to on-duty special police officers at the two agencies rather than just on an institution's premises. It adds additional firearms training requirements at the request of the two agencies in addition to the existing OPATA training requirements. Gives both agencies the authority over issuing or approving firearms used by the special police officers, gives the two agencies authority to prohibit a special police officer who is under investigation from carrying or possessing a firearm, and specifies that the state does not waive its sovereign immunity regarding the possession or use of a firearm by a special police officer, and the amendment has been agreed to by both agencies as well as the fraternal order of police. Thank you, sir.
Excellent explanation. Thank you very much. are there any objections to this amendment being adopted? Seeing no objections, the amendment is adopted. I recognize Chairman Wilson for a motion.
Vice Chair, I move to favorably report SB 321 to the Committee on Rules and Reference.
Clerk will call the roll. Chair Johnson. Yes.
Vice Chair Wilson. Yes.
Ranking Senator Craig. Yes.
Senator Patton. Yes.
Senator Schaefer. Yes.
Okay, so with a unanimous vote by the committee, This will be moved on to Rules and Reference and Senate Bill 321, and that will conclude the fourth hearing of Senate Bill 321. Next on to second hearing proponent of House Bill 297, Representatives Newman and Ritter, regarding funds provided by county for Memorial Day expenses. We have proponent testimony today by David Root, VFW. So probably our schedule kind of went in the ditch there. Okay, so we have that testimony from David Root. It is on our iPads. This will conclude the second hearing of House Bill 297. Let's move on to third hearing opponent IP on House Bill 311, represented as White and Hoops, designate EMS Week in Ohio. Is there anyone here today that wants to testify on House Bill 311? Seeing no one, that will conclude the third hearing on House Bill 311. Let's move on to third hearing opponent IP on House Bill 359, representatives Gross and Thomas, regarding emergency Joshua Alert system for certain missing kids. Is there anyone here today that wants to testify on this particular piece of legislation? Seeing none. This is reversing the trend we've had for most of the day. This will conclude the third hearing of House Bill 359. Is there any business other than this to bring before the committee? Seeing none, we do stand adjourned.