Veto Sub. HB 251 - Say No to Warrentless Drone Surveillance of Ohioans

Veto Sub. HB 251 - Say No to Warrentless Drone Surveillance of Ohioans Sub. HB 251 represents a dangerous expansion of government surveillance at the expense of the privacy and constitutional rights of Ohioans. Rather than establishing meaningful limits on drone use by law enforcement, Sub. HB 251 effectively grants broad authority to conduct aerial surveillance of people's movements, activities, and destinations without requiring a warrant. Ohioans should not have to accept constant monitoring simply because technology makes it possible. The Fourth Amendment exists to protect citizens from unreasonable government searches, and any expansion of surveillance powers should be accompanied by strong judicial oversight, NOT weakened protections. This bill also places troubling restrictions on private drone use that could chill free speech and the ability of citizens, journalists, and advocates to document matters of public interest. At the same time, the bill allows government-collected surveillance data to become public record, creating the possibility that sensitive information about individuals' travel patterns and daily lives could be accessed and misused by stalkers, abusive former partners, or others with malicious intent. Ohio can support public safety without sacrificing the civil liberties that define a free society. Expanding warrantless surveillance while exposing personal data is not the right path forward. I respectfully ask you to stand up for the privacy, freedom, and constitutional rights of all Ohioans by vetoing Sub. HB 251.