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On April 9, 2025, the Ohio House of Representatives passed its version of the state’s biennial budget, also known as House Bill 96, which introduces substantial revisions to Ohio’s pesticide application laws. These updates aim to bring the state into closer alignment with current federal regulations and carry significant implications—particularly for family farms that involve youth workers. As the school year ends and more minors begin working regularly on farms, the timing of these proposed changes raises concerns about how they may limit the roles young people can legally perform—especially when it comes to pesticide-related tasks. 

Changes on the Horizon?
One of the most notable changes is the proposed restriction that only licensed commercial or private pesticide applicators may “use” Restricted Use Pesticides (“RUPs”). This would eliminate the previous allowance for trained service persons, immediate family members, or employees to apply RUPs under the direct supervision of a licensed applicator.

Additionally, House Bill 96 expands the definition of “use” of RUPs to include not only the act of application but also:

1. Pre-application activities such as mixing and loading;
2. The application itself, performed by a licensed commercial or private applicator;
3. Other pesticide-related tasks, including transporting or storing opened containers, cleaning equipment, and disposing of leftover pesticides, spray mixtures, rinse water, containers, or any materials containing pesticides.

The bill makes clear that no individual may use RUPs unless they are properly licensed under Ohio law, reinforcing the importance of formal certification for anyone involved in pesticide handling.

What Does this Mean for Youth on the Farm?
Under current Ohio law, immediate family members—including minors—are permitted to apply RUPs as long as they are under the direct supervision of a licensed applicator. For years, agricultural families have relied on this exemption to allow youth to assist with farm duties involving pesticide use. However, the proposed changes in House Bill 96 would eliminate this exception by requiring that anyone handling RUPs be individually licensed. Because Ohio law mandates that pesticide applicators be at least 18 years old, minors would no longer be permitted to perform any pesticide-related tasks, even under direct supervision. Of course, this provision is not just geared toward youth on the farm—it also affects employees and trained service persons who previously operated under a licensed applicator’s supervision. If the proposed changes go through, a violation of the law could result in significant civil penalties. 

Given the proposed changes in House Bill 96, it’s an appropriate time to take a broader look at the full range of youth labor regulations that apply to farm work. While pesticide use is just one area impacted by legal restrictions, there are numerous federal and state laws that govern what tasks minors can perform, what equipment they can operate, and how many hours they can legally work—especially during the school year versus summer months. These rules can vary based on the age of the minor and their relationship to the farm owner. With regulatory changes potentially tightening in one area, it’s essential for farm families and employers to ensure they are in compliance across the board to avoid penalties and ensure safe, lawful participation of youth in agricultural work. Read more about employing youth on the farm here. 

Next Steps
Farm families and employers should begin preparing for the upcoming changes to Ohio’s pesticide rules. While these changes aren't law yet—they won’t take effect until the Governor signs the bill—they are needed to align Ohio’s regulations with federal law. If Ohio wants to keep its authority to enforce the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act ("FIFRA"), these updates are a forgone conclusion.

To review the specific pesticide-related provisions in House Bill 96, begin on page 903 of the bill text. Alternatively, for an overview of the proposed budget and potential changes, you can consult the summary prepared by the Ohio Legislative Service Commission.

Not long ago, an official looking letter arrived addressed to my deceased father. Inside was a message from “Attorney Patterson” stating that a man named Nicholas Moore had died in Canada. No heirs. No next of kin. But, conveniently, a $10 million life insurance policy just waiting to be claimed.

The letter was vague on details and how my family was related to Nicholas Moore was even more ambiguous. But “Mr. Patterson’s” letter was optimistic, and the proposition was simple: if I agreed to pose as a relative, we’d split the payout 50/50. It was a win/win proposition, we would both receive half of the unclaimed life insurance policy.

My branch of the Moore family tree is pretty small so I was quite sure I was not related to Nicholas Moore of Ontario, Canada.  Furthermore, I am not in the habit of replying to Canadian estate lawyers who contact me out of the blue regarding long lost relatives. But curiosity got the better of me. I sent an email to “Attorney Patterson” — not because I believed any part of the story, but because I wanted to see how this scam was played.

The email response did not disappoint. I was assured that this was all legitimate, there was no risk to me, and my “partner” would do all the work. All that was required of me was my full name, address, occupation, marital status, and age.  Of course, it was very important that I keep this all a secret. 

I knew what was coming in the next email - requests for funds to pay for filing fees, expenses and other costs required to collect the $10 million insurance policy, so I ended my email exchange with “Mr. Patterson”.  Still, this scam did get me thinking about some real issues with life insurance policies.

How Life Insurance Policies Really Work

In the real world, life insurance is not handled by sketchy attorneys with gmail addresses probably working from a dimly lit basement. Life insurance companies are a suspicious group, and rightly so.  Before any money goes out, they require two things: proof that the insured has indeed passed away, and confirmation that the person asking for the money is the one actually listed as the beneficiary. That’s it, no exceptions.  Ask anyone who has made a death benefit claim to a life insurance company, they can attest that it is a deliberate, formal process and the insurance company will not send funds until all I’s are dotted and T’s are crossed.  “Attorney Patterson” will be disappointed that his scam will not work.

Due to the inflexible nature of life insurance policies, it is very important to make sure that each life insurance policy has up-to-date beneficiaries.  Parents who forgot to add their second child to their life insurance policy would be disappointed to find that that their first child will receive the entire payout from the policy.  Life insurance companies will not make exceptions for “I meant to” or “I should have”.  Make sure that every person you want to receive the death benefit is identified as a beneficiary.

Life insurance policies will typically allow for contingent beneficiaries.  A contingent beneficiary will receive the death benefit if the primary beneficiary dies before the insured dies and the policy pays out.  It is important to have a contingent beneficiary for each primary beneficiary.

If there are no beneficiaries or all primary and contingent beneficiaries have died, the death benefit will be paid to the insured’s estate.  Then, the will or laws of the state will direct how the death benefit proceeds are distributed.  The death benefit proceeds will be treated just like any other asset in the estate.  The probate process will require verification of all heirs of the estate before the funds are released.  “Attorney Patterson” will be further disappointed to learn that probate court is also scam-resistant.

 Useful Tips for Life Insurance Policy

The following tips may not be as exciting as discovering you are the long-lost heir of a $10 million insurance policy, but they are useful for any life insurance policies you may own:

• Locate the policy and check the primary and contingent beneficiaries. Are they current? Alive? People you still like?  If you cannot find the policy, contact the life insurance company or your insurance/financial advisor.  It is relatively easy to add or change beneficiaries.
• Determine the cash value (if any), death benefit, premium and any other relevant information you may need for the policy.  Do these numbers still match the goals of your estate plan?
• Tell someone you have a life insurance policy. This can be a spouse, child, executor, or trusted advisor. Life insurance companies do not contact you to start a death benefit claim, someone must contact them.  There are life insurance policies that never get claimed because no one knows to file a claim.

A Scam’s Silver Lining

Even with scams, there is something we can learn.  “Attorney Patterson’s” letter reminds us to keep our life insurance policies up-to-date so we don’t have to search across international borders for heirs.  If you haven’t reviewed your life insurance policy for a few years, pull out the policy and review its terms and beneficiaries.  If you can’t find the policy or are confused about some of its terms, contact your insurance agent or financial advisor.  They will be able to explain your policy to you in a brief conversation.  Keeping your life insurance policy current and accurate will make life much simpler for the beneficiaries of your policy.

Unidentified drones flying over property have raised many concerns recently, but new laws in Ohio may ease those concerns. The new laws aim to enhance safety, protect privacy, and align state laws with federal regulations for “unmanned aerial vehicles” (UAVs), or “drones.” Passed late last year as H.B. 77 and effective on April 9, 2025, the new laws amend Ohio’s aircraft safety laws to prohibit operating UAVs in certain ways and also address local government use and regulations for UAVs.

​Legal definition of UAV

A UAV, according to the new law, is commonly referred to as a drone and is  a vehicle that does not carry a human operator, is operated without the possibility of direct human intervention from within or on the vehicle, uses aerodynamic forces to provide lift, can fly autonomously or be piloted remotely, and is either expendable or recoverable. The law clarifies that a satellite is not a UAV.

Prohibited drone operations 

The law establishes four prohibited actions by UAV operators in Ohio and sets penalties for violating the prohibitions:

1. Knowing endangerment.  A person shall not operate a UAV “on the land or water or in the air space over this state in a manner that knowingly endangers any person or property or purposely disregards the rights or safety of others.” A violation of this provision can result in a $500 fine and/or up to six months of imprisonment. ​
2. Interference with law enforcement and emergency responders.  The law prohibits operating a drone in a way that disrupts, interrupts, or impairs the operations or activities of law enforcement, fire department, or emergency medical services.  Criminal misdemeanor or felony charges are possible, depending on whether the interference was committed knowingly or the result of recklessness.
3. Operation over critical facilities.  Two new provisions apply to “critical facilities,” which includes hospitals that receive air ambulance services; military installations; commercial distribution centers; courts, jails, and prisons; and police stations, sheriff’s offices, state highway patrol stations, and premises controlled by the bureau of criminal investigation.  The law prohibits a person from operating a drone to photograph, record, or loiter over or near a critical facility in two situations.  The first situation is operating a drone with the purpose of tampering with or destroying the facility and the second is operating a drone to further another criminal offense involving harm to a person.  Violations of these laws can lead to criminal misdemeanor and felony charges, depending on the operator’s intent and whether the action is a repeated violation.
4. Compliance with federal law.  The new law ties into federal law and regulations that require registration of UAVs and licensing for certain UAV operators.  Ohio law prohibits a person from operating a UAV in Ohio if those federal laws or FAA regulations would prohibit the operation, which allows the state to enforce the federal law requirements.

Local governments and drones

Another provision of the new law provides authority to municipalities, counties, townships, and park districts.  These local governments can now adopt local ordinances or regulations for UAVs in two situations: for hobby or recreational uses of drones above a park or other public property and for the use and operation of drones by the local government.

What do the new laws mean for agriculture?  The laws place new responsibilities on drone operators to use drones responsibly and for legitimate purposes while providing remedies for those whose safety or privacy are endangered by drone operations.  In those situations, a person should contact local law enforcement. Federal law requires registration and “Remote ID” tracking technology for UAVs, which can allow identification of the drone operator from an on-the-ground transmitter.  With the new laws, there are now legal options for pursuing enforcement against bad actors.  Local governments can also now enact additional laws to ensure safe drone operation in their public areas. 

What the laws don’t do is authorize the “shooting down” of suspicious drones. It is a federal crime to shoot or intentionally harm a drone, even if the drone is flying over someone’s private property. Shooting a drone from the sky can also create safety risks and potential civil liability. Read more about options for dealing with suspicious drone activity in our  previous blog post.

Information about House Bill 77 is available on the Ohio General Assembly’s website.

We're preparing for another edition of our monthly webinar, Farm Office Live, on Friday, April 25 at 10 a.m.  Our featured guest this month is Dr. Margaret Jodlowski, Asst. Professor in the Dept. of Agricultural Environmental and Development Economics, who will discuss farm labor issues with us.  Our remaining agenda features the Farm Office team addressing these topics:

• Strategies for Developing the Next Leader of Your Farm Operation - David Marrison, Farm Management Field Specialist
• Crop Profit Outlook - Barry Ward, Production Business Management Leader
• Farm Business Analysis Update - Clint Schroeder, Farm Business Analysis Program Manager
• State and Federal Legislative Update - Peggy Hall, Agricultural & Resource Law Program Director
• New Laws: Paystub Protection Act and Operation of Drones - Jeff Lewis, Agricultural & Resource Law/Tax Schools Attorney
• Tax Update: Are Avian Flu Indemnifications Exempt? - Barry Ward and Jeff Lewis
• Upcoming Events and Deadlines - David Marrison

Join in for this free webinar by registering at farmoffice.osu.edu/farmofficelive, where replays of previous webinars are also available. We hope to see you there!