Senate committee hears bill to bar purchase of foreign-made drones by public entities

Senator Cherry Johnson opened the first hearing on Senate Bill 180, telling the Senate Transportation Committee the bill would “prohibit[] purchasing small unmanned aircraft systems manufactured by a covered foreign entity, such as manufacturers based in the People's Republic of China or the Russian Federation.”

The bill would bar Ohio public entities, including state agencies and law enforcement, from buying covered foreign-made small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) and provide a phased compliance window through May 1, 2027, Johnson said: “it does not impose an immediate replacement requirement. Instead, it provides a transition period until 05/01/2027.”

Why it matters: supporters framed the measure as a security and supply-chain response to widespread foreign market share in commercial drones and to reported…