Ohio House Bill 851 establishes railroad track clearance 'Safe Zones' and fines for obstructions

Original title: Enact the Paul Payne Safe Zone Act

Last action · May 13, 2026: Referred to TransportationSponsors: Michele Grim and 7 others

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What This Bill Would Do

Ohio House Bill 851 requires railroads to keep designated 'safe zones' around tracks clear of obstructions like debris, overgrown vegetation, and structures to protect railroad employees. Railroads that fail to remove obstructions and do not obtain approval to install warning signs face fines ranging from $100 to $500 per violation, with each day of a continued violation counted as a separate offense.

Why it matters

Railroad operating and maintenance personnel gain mandatory vertical and horizontal clearance buffers around tracks, while rail companies must dedicate resources to inspection compliance and hazard removal or warning sign installation.

Background

The bill is named the Paul Payne Safe Zone Act and establishes mandatory clearance zones around railway tracks to protect workers. 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.

Directly affected

railroad employees

Railroad workers gain mandatory clearance zones free of hazards or warning signs during active operations and maintenance.

Directly affected

railroads

Rail companies must maintain clearance zones, seek commission approval for warning signs, allow inspections, and face fines for noncompliance.

Directly affected

Public Utilities Commission

The commission is tasked with conducting inspections, approving warning signs, and promulgating implementation rules.

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 dimensions define a railroad 'Safe Zone' under this bill?

A safe zone extends vertically 22 feet and 6 inches from the top of the and horizontally 15 feet in either direction from the track center line. When equipment is in motion at 10 mph or less, the horizontal distance is at least 30 feet; when moving faster than 10 mph, it is at least 50 feet and includes a direct evacuation means.

What happens if a railroad cannot remove an obstruction from a safe zone?

The railroad must obtain approval from the Public Utilities Commission to install a sign warning railroad employees of the .

What are the penalties for violating the safe zone requirements?

Violators face a fine of not less than $100 and not more than $500 for each violation, with each day of a continued violation constituting a separate offense.

What else do you want to know?

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Where This Stands

Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.

Procedural history

2 actions

May 13, 2026HouseCommittee
Referred to Transportation
May 12, 2026HouseIntroduced
Introduced

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

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