The civic record
Read. Follow. Verify.Ohio Bill Modifies Liability and Background Check Rules for Ride-Hailing Companies
Last action · February 4, 2026: Referred to TransportationSponsors: Adam Mathews and 1 other
Track this bill to get notified when it advances a stage. One tap to stop, anytime.
What This Bill Would Do
Ohio House Bill 604 modifies state laws governing transportation network companies by setting specific driver disqualification criteria, clarifying company liability limits, and reaffirming statewide ion of local ride-hailing regulations.
Changes the legal liabilities for ride-hailing companies and sets uniform statewide standards for driver eligibility, preventing local municipalities from imposing individual licensing, taxing, or registration rules on ride-sharing drivers.
- Transportation network companies are commercial ride-sharing platforms connecting passengers with private vehicle drivers via digital applications. context
- Ohio regulates transportation network companies at the state level under Chapter 4925 of the Revised Code, establishing statewide operational standards. context
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Transportation network companies
Companies must enforce mandatory background check procedures, follow driver disqualification rules, and are protected from vicarious liability under specified conditions.
Transportation network company drivers
Drivers are subject to mandatory application, driving history, and criminal background evaluations, and must meet minimum age and insurance standards.
Public-use airport operators
Airport operators retain the authority to adopt reasonable standards, regulations, procedures, and fees for ride-hailing services on their property.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
What background checks are required for ride-hailing drivers in Ohio?
Can local cities pass their own taxes or regulations on ride-hailing companies?
Are ride-hailing vehicles considered taxicabs under Ohio law?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
Follow the record
Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.
Procedural history
2 actions- Feb 4, 2026HouseCommitteeReferred to Transportation
- Nov 18, 2025HouseIntroducedIntroduced
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Statewide Regulatory Uniformity
The legislation reinforces state-level preemption over local municipal regulations for transportation network companies, preserving authority only for public-use airports.
Connected Entities
Sources
www.legislature.ohio.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance65How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy40Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz25Current news / social attention level
Publisher tools