Willis Introduces Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Legislation

COLUMBUS – State Representative Bernie Willis (R-Springfield) has introduced legislation that will create a framework for drone operations in the State of Ohio. 

Piloting a drone and regulations surrounding the operation of an unmanned aircraft in federal airspace are already regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration, but Willis wants to take the regulation of drone operations a step further by requiring standards for operations in Ohio.

“Ohio is the birthplace of aviation,” Willis said. “We are proud of that title. Now we are heading into the next era of aviation and we must establish requirements and prohibitions to establish a framework that makes us ready for the tomorrow of aviation.”

Willis’, who is the vice-chair of the House Aviation and Aerospace Committee, legislation will establish penalties for the use of a drone to survey critical infrastructure for criminal intent, provide regulations under which local governments are permitted to further restrict drone activity and will task the Ohio Department of Transportation Office of Aviation to post all regulations relating to drone activity in the state.       

The legislation has been assigned to the House Aviation and Aerospace Committee and is awaiting its first hearing.

House committees can be streamed live on www.ohiochannel.org.