Ohio legislation · 136th General Assembly
Ohio HB851: Enact the Paul Payne Safe Zone Act
Status: In committee, May 13, 2026
To enact section 4955.37 of the Revised Code to establish "Safe Zones" on railroad tracks for the safety of railroad employees and to name this act the Paul Payne Safe Zone Act.
What the bill says
From the introduced text, May 12, 2026:
As Introduced 136th General Assembly Regular Session H. B. No. 851 2025-2026 Representatives Grim, Pizzulli Cosponsors: Representatives Piccolantonio, Synenberg, McNally, Bryant Bailey, Brewer, Rogers To enact section 4955.37 of the Revised Code to establish "Safe Zones" on railroad tracks for the safety of railroad employees and to name this act the Paul Payne Safe Zone Act. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF OHIO: Section 1. That section 4955.37 of the Revised Code be enacted to read as follows: Sec. 4955.37. (A) As used in this section: (1) "Obstruction" includes scrap, lumber, debris, vegetation that exceeds four inches in height, marked unevenness of terrain, buildings, structures, or any other material or condition which endangers a railroad employee. (2) "Railhead" means the rounded uppermost part of a rail. (3) "Railroad" has the same meaning as in section 4907.02 of the Revised Code. (4) "Safe zone" means the immediate area surrounding railroad tracks with the following parameters: (a) A vertical distance of twenty-two feet and six inches from the top of the railhead; (b) A horizontal distance of fifteen feet in either direction from the center line of the railroad track; (c) When occupied by railroad equipment in motion, a horizontal distance of not less than thirty feet in either direction from the center line of the railroad …
Sponsors
- Michele Grim (D, 43) · primary sponsor
- Justin Pizzulli (R, 90) · primary sponsor
- Darnell Brewer (D, 22)
- Lauren McNally (D, 58)
- Beryl Piccolantonio (D, 4)
- Elgin Rogers (D, 42)
- Eric Synenberg (D, 21)
Latest actions
- : Referred to committee
- : Introduced
Subjects: Air and Rail Transport, Transportation
Common questions
- What is HB851?
- HB851 is a bill in the Ohio Legislature (136th General Assembly): Enact the Paul Payne Safe Zone Act.
- What does HB851 do?
- To enact section 4955.37 of the Revised Code to establish "Safe Zones" on railroad tracks for the safety of railroad employees and to name this act the Paul Payne Safe Zone Act.
- What is the status of HB851?
- In committee as of May 13, 2026. Latest action: Referred to committee (May 13, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB851?
- Michele Grim (D, 43), with 6 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB851?
- On the Ohio Legislature website: https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/136/hb851
Source: official Ohio record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.