SB 233 Ohio Senate · 135th Legislature (2023-2024)

Regards on-track equipment when approaching a railroad crossing

SB 233 amends state law to require drivers of vehicles and trackless trolleys to stop within fifty feet of a railroad crossing whenever specific safety conditions are present, such as active warning signals, lowered gates, flagperson signals, insufficient space on the other side, visible or audible approaching equipment, or low vehicle clearance. The bill mandates that these operators must not proceed through a crossing while any of these hazards exist and prohibits driving through closed gates unless directed by law enforcement or a flagperson. It establishes penalties for violations, including a fourth-degree misdemeanor, but allows courts to substitute fines or jail time with mandatory rail safety training. Additionally, the law requires buses, school vehicles, and slow-moving equipment to stop, listen, and look before crossing tracks, while also creating a process for the public utilities commission to designate specific crossings as exempt from these stop requirements after a public hearing.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2024
Committee Review
Nov 2024
Senate Passage
Nov 2024
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Mar 5, 2024 Last action Dec 17, 2024
Floor votes · Senate Nov 13, 2024

How they voted

310
Passed
Total votes 31
Nov 13, 2024
D Democratic7
7 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican24
24 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
9
Key actions
1
Committee
3
Nov 19, 2024
Committee
Refer to Committee
lower
Nov 13, 2024
Upper · Passed
Passed
upper
Nov 12, 2024
Committee
Re-referred
upper
Apr 10, 2024
Committee
Refer to Committee
upper
Mar 5, 2024
Introduced
Introduced
upper
2 primary · 15 co-sponsors

Sponsors