NE Ohio Times

COLUMBUS- The House Aviation and Aerospace Committee today began hearings on House Bill 185, legislation that will reform Ohio’s classification and regulation framework around airports, heliports, vertiports, and spaceports. The bill is sponsored by State Representatives Jamie Callender (R-Concord) and Sarah Fowler Arthur (R-Ashtabula).

House Bill 185 aims to update Ohio’s permitting laws for tall structures to ensure that navigable airspace and future expansion of airports are not hindered by new construction. The legislation addresses the need for streamlining the approval process to facilitate faster approval, greater regulatory consistency, and the protection of Ohio's airports.

Representative Callender highlighted the inefficiencies of the current process, stating, "The current process to approve new construction is cumbersome and does not serve airports, businesses, or the taxpayers well." House Bill 185 seeks to address these issues by implementing measures to protect Ohio's airspace competitiveness, local zoning, due process for projects, and collaboration between ODOT and the FAA.

Fowler Arthur emphasized the importance of prioritizing safety, airport operability, and business development in the aerospace industry, stating, “Throughout history, Ohio has been a leader in aviation.” She stressed the need to establish an airport and airspace permitting process that supports these priorities to position Ohio as a leader in the aerospace industry.

House Bill 185 is designed to ensure that Ohio's airspace remains friendly and competitive, protect local zoning with state and federal air space regulatory approval, streamline approval processes, and promote collaboration between ODOT and the FAA in air space planning for aviation development.

The legislation is set for further consideration by the committee as Ohio works towards modernizing its airspace protection regulations.