North East Ohio UAS Coordination Group

06/05/2026

https://www.droneresponders.org/post/emerging-threats-to-public-safety-drones-cyber-and-synthetic-media-at-large-scale-events

06/05/2026

HB 251 Update

Thank you to everyone who took the time to submit opposition letters, provide testimony, make phone calls, and engage with your Representatives and Senators regarding HB 251.

Given the limited time available to respond and the fact that much of this process occurred with little public visibility, we were able to make a meaningful impact on the final amendment language. While the result is not perfect, it represents a significant improvement from the original proposal and, when viewed alongside current federal actions, should be considered a positive outcome.

As a reminder, the recent FCC action restricts the authorization of new foreign-manufactured drone models entering the U.S. market. Existing approved models may continue to be sold and operated. The original HB 251 amendment went much further, proposing that public safety agencies would only be permitted to operate drones purchased prior to December 20, 2025, for one additional year.

Following concerns raised by public safety stakeholders across Ohio, the amendment language was revised. The current version now allows agencies to continue purchasing eligible platforms that remain available on the market for 48 months (4 years) and permits continued operation of those aircraft through their normal end-of-life cycle.

While this does not exactly mirror the federal approach, the practical result is much closer to what we advocated for. We all recognize that a transition to NDAA-compliant platforms is likely in the future. The most critical element we needed was time—time to plan, budget, train, and transition responsibly without disrupting public safety operations.

Realistically, many of today's DJI platforms will reach end-of-life or be replaced by newer models within the next four years. Under the current amendment language, agencies should be able to continue operating existing aircraft until they naturally reach the end of their service life.

As always, legislation can change as it moves through the process, but this is the information that has been shared with us at this time.

We will discuss these developments in greater detail during upcoming regional meetings and at OHCON 2026 (Register at OHGRU.ORG), the Ohio Public Safety UAS Conference, this September.

Our focus will now shift toward working with state leaders to identify funding opportunities that can assist agencies with the eventual transition to NDAA-compliant platforms. Similar funding initiatives have been implemented in states such as Florida, and we believe Ohio agencies deserve the same level of support.

This effort demonstrated what can be accomplished when Ohio's public safety drone community is organized, engaged, and working together toward a common goal.

Thank you again for your support and involvement.

Respectfully,

Asst. Chief Scott Mlakar (Ret.)
Director, Ohio Public Safety UAS Coordination Group (OHGRU)
Director, North East Ohio Public Safety Unmanned Response Team (NEO-PSURT)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sQhYzzSkSrRh1IFfKzfp8VxFbClWqMx6/view?usp=sharing

06/03/2026

Live Broadcast at 230 if you want to watch and support the members testifying on your behalf.

06/02/2026

https://www.govtech.com/policy/ohio-drone-regulation-bill-hits-statehouse-turbulence

The proposed law, which easily cleared the House of Representatives last year, now faces serious questions over an exception around warrantless drones, use of foreign-made equipment and exemptions.

06/02/2026

Agencies please dont forget to send in opposition, and emails today to the Senate President regarding HB 251 TODAY before 230. Attached is a generic email that can be used and sent to the Senate President asking for support against HB 251 in the senate. Take 5 minutes and send an email to this address. The opposition link and info is in post below.

[email protected] or also 614-466-8150.

Your opposition letter and calls and emails are needed especially from larger organizations please distribute and share.

06/02/2026

06/02/2026

Please if you have not done so, please forward this and get in your opposition letters before 2:30 tomorrow. The info is below to help and forward to as many agencies and encourage them to take 5 mins to fill out and upload the document shared or write your own, we did the work for you help us help you. Please email this info out to any agencies around you.

05/30/2026

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE – HB 251 FINAL HEARING

HB 251 will have a 4th hearing for ALL TESTIMONY before the Senate Armed Services, Veterans Affairs and Public Safety Committee on Wednesday, June 3rd at 2:30 PM.

This is expected to be the final opportunity for public safety agencies, organizations, and stakeholders to provide testimony and submit letters of opposition regarding the amended UAS language contained in HB 251.

While changes have been made to the amendment, significant concerns remain.

The current proposal still includes:
• A prohibition on future purchases of affected UAS platforms by public entities
• Restrictions that go beyond current federal guidance
• An exemption process that has no clearly defined federal pathway
• An unfunded mandate requiring agencies to replace operational aircraft
• A 24-month compliance timeline with no funding assistance for replacement equipment

The concern is no longer whether a transition away from foreign-manufactured aircraft will eventually occur. Most public safety agencies understand that change is coming.

The concern is whether that transition can be accomplished in a realistic, affordable, and operationally responsible manner.

A 24-month transition period without a funding mechanism is not a transition plan—it is an unfunded mandate.

Public safety agencies across Ohio have invested millions of taxpayer dollars into drone programs that support search and rescue, fire response, disaster assessment, law enforcement operations, missing persons investigations, and other life-saving missions.

Many of these aircraft remain fully operational, federally authorized, and actively supporting public safety missions every day throughout Ohio.

Without funding assistance, many smaller agencies, volunteer fire departments, county emergency management agencies, and rural law enforcement organizations may lose drone capability entirely because they simply cannot afford replacement aircraft that often cost two to three times more than current systems.

We respectfully ask agencies, public officials, first responders, and stakeholders to make their voices heard.

Please consider:
• Submitting a letter of opposition
• Providing written testimony
• Attending the June 3rd hearing
• Providing in-person testimony
• Sharing real-world examples of how drone programs support your community
• Explaining the financial impact this legislation will have on your agency

This hearing may be the last opportunity for lawmakers to hear directly from the public safety professionals who will be responsible for implementing these requirements.

If your agency has benefited from a public safety drone program, now is the time to speak up..

This is your last chance as if this passes as written it will decimate your programs

Below is a sample oppostion letter and link to send in opposition as well as testify. Those that have testified need new faces to support them. Thank you all in advance.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cl7b_XESpXdfdsU_Qx0XrOn0jO-Ofmw8/view?usp=drivesdk

https://ohiosenate.gov/committees/armed-services-veterans-affairs-and-public-safety/meetings/cmte_s_armed_services_1_2026-06-03-0230_1340

05/28/2026

https://dspalliance.org/dji-audit-is-in-and-d-c-et-al-is-wrong/

Let’s get to the good part first: Independent Security Assessment Finds No Evidence of Hidden Backdoors or Foreign Data Transmission in DJI Drone Platforms! ____________________________________________________________________________________________ Let’s be honest — there’s been a lot of no...

05/28/2026

Counter UAS for the DJI M400.