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HB 317

Prohibit purchase of drones made by a covered foreign entity

136th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Monica Blasdel and 10 co-sponsors

Ohio bill prohibits state purchases of drones from covered foreign entities to address supply chain security concerns, though enforcement and cost impacts remain undefined.

Referred to committee
#publicsafety #stateandlocalgovernment
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Bill Summary · HB 317

Legislative bill overview

HB 317 would prohibit the purchase of drones manufactured by "covered foreign entities" in Ohio. The bill establishes restrictions on government procurement of such drones, though the specific definition of "covered foreign entity" and enforcement mechanisms would depend on the bill's full text details. This follows similar legislation introduced in other states addressing supply chain security concerns.

Why is this important

Drone procurement decisions affect public safety, infrastructure inspection, emergency response, and other critical government functions. Supply chain vulnerabilities in drone technology have raised national security concerns, particularly regarding data collection and potential surveillance risks. This bill attempts to manage those risks through purchasing restrictions at the state level.

Potential points of contention

  • Definition ambiguity: The term "covered foreign entity" is undefined in available materials—it could target China specifically, all foreign manufacturers, or be defined so broadly it eliminates most commercial drone options
  • Cost and availability: Restricting suppliers may significantly increase procurement costs or limit equipment options available to Ohio agencies, potentially delaying critical operations
  • Interstate commerce concerns: Such restrictions may conflict with federal commerce clause protections and could face legal challenges if they discriminate against particular countries without federal authorization
  • Implementation gaps: The bill lacks clarity on enforcement, penalties, existing contracts, and which state agencies are bound by these restrictions

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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