Ohio legislation · 136th General Assembly
Ohio HB973: Create emergency vehicle access routes across railroads
Status: Introduced, July 13, 2026
To amend sections 307.203, 5589.20, 5589.22, 5589.23, 5589.24, and 5589.99; to amend, for the purpose of adopting new section numbers as indicated in parentheses, sections 5589.20 (5589.40), 5589.22 (5589.42), 5589.23 (5589.43), and 5589.24 (5589.44); to enact section 5589.41; and to repeal sections 5589.21 and 5589.211 of the Revised Code to create designated access routes across railroads for emergency vehicles.
What the bill says
To amend sections 307.203, 5589.20, 5589.22, 5589.23, 5589.24, and 5589.99; to amend, for the purpose of adopting new section numbers as indicated in parentheses, sections 5589.20 (5589.40), 5589.22 (5589.42), 5589.23 (5589.43), and 5589.24 (5589.44); to enact section 5589.41; and to repeal sections 5589.21 and 5589.211 of the Revised Code to create designated access routes across railroads for emergency vehicles.
From the introduced text, July 13, 2026:
To amend sections 307.203, 5589.20, 5589.22, 5589.23, 5589.24, and 5589.99; to amend, for the purpose of adopting new section numbers as indicated in parentheses, sections 5589.20 (5589.40), 5589.22 (5589.42), 5589.23 (5589.43), and 5589.24 (5589.44); to enact section 5589.41; and to repeal sections 5589.21 and 5589.211 of the Revised Code to create designated access routes across railroads for emergency vehicles. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF OHIO: Section 1. That sections 307.203, 5589.20, 5589.22, 5589.23, 5589.24, and 5589.99 be amended; sections 5589.20 (5589.40), 5589.22 (5589.42), 5589.23 (5589.43), and 5589.24 (5589.44) be amended for the purpose of adopting new section numbers as indicated in parentheses; and section 5589.41 of the Revised Code be enacted to read as follows: Sec. 307.203. A board of county commissioners may appropriate moneys from the general fund for any purposes for which moneys in the railroad grade crossing improvement fund of the county created pursuant to section [DELETED: 5589.24 ] 5589.44 of the Revised Code may be used. After appropriation, such moneys may be transferred to that fund. Sec. [DELETED: 5589.20] 5589.40. The general assembly finds that the improper obstruction of railroad grade crossings by trains is a direct threat to the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of this state and to the safety of railroad workers inasmuch as improper …
Sponsors
- Justin Pizzulli (R, 90) · primary sponsor
- Thomas Hall (R, 46) · primary sponsor
- Rachel Baker (D, 27)
- Sean Brennan (D, 14)
- Kellie Deeter (R, 54)
- Mark Johnson (R, 92)
- Brian Lorenz (R, 60)
- Joseph Miller (D, HD-053)
- Tristan Rader (D, 13)
- Kevin Ritter (R, 94)
- Blasdel, Monica Robb (R, 79)
- Jodi Salvo (R, 51)
Latest actions
- : Introduced
Subjects: Air and Rail Transport, Transportation, Public Safety, Highways, Roads, and Bridges
Common questions
- What is HB973?
- HB973 is a bill in the Ohio Legislature (136th General Assembly): Create emergency vehicle access routes across railroads.
- What does HB973 do?
- In its own words: To amend sections 307.203, 5589.20, 5589.22, 5589.23, 5589.24, and 5589.99; to amend, for the purpose of adopting new section numbers as indicated in parentheses, sections 5589.20 (5589.40), 5589.22 (5589.42), 5589.23 (5589.43), and 5589.24 (5589.44); to enact section 5589.41; and to repeal sections 5589.21 and 5589.211 of the Revised Code to create designated access routes across railroads for emergency vehicles.
- What is the status of HB973?
- Introduced as of July 13, 2026. Latest action: Introduced (July 13, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB973?
- Justin Pizzulli (R, 90), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB973?
- On the Ohio Legislature website: https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/136/hb973
Source: official Ohio record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.