HB183 • 2026

Allow rearview mirror use instead of observer for water skiers

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Levi Dean
Last action
Official status: As Introduced
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.

Allow rearview mirror use instead of observer for water skiers

To amend section 1547.15 of the Revised Code to allow an operator of a vessel to use a rearview mirror to observe water skiers, barefoot skiers, and others who are being towed by the vessel as an alternative to having an additional person in the vessel for observation purposes.

What This Bill Does

To amend section 1547.15 of the Revised Code to allow an operator of a vessel to use a rearview mirror to observe water skiers, barefoot skiers, and others who are being towed by the vessel as an alternative to having an additional person in the vessel for observation purposes.

Limits and Unknowns

This entry is temporarily using official source text because the generated explanation could not be confirmed against the official bill text during the last sync.

Bill History

Ohio Legislature
As Introduced

Official Summary Text

To amend section 1547.15 of the Revised Code to allow an operator of a vessel to use a rearview mirror to observe water skiers, barefoot skiers, and others who are being towed by the vessel as an alternative to having an additional person in the vessel for observation purposes.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

As Introduced

136th
General Assembly

Regular
Session
H. B. No. 183

2025-2026

Representative Dean

Cosponsor: Representative Daniels

A
BILL

To
amend section 1547.15 of the Revised Code
to
allow an operator of a vessel to use a rearview mirror to observe
water skiers, barefoot skiers, and others who are being towed by the
vessel as an alternative to having an additional person in the vessel
for observation purposes.

BE
IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF OHIO:

Section
1.
That
section 1547.15 of the Revised Code be amended to read as follows:

Sec.
1547.15.
Any
person who operates a vessel towing any person riding or attempting
to ride upon one or more water skis or upon a surfboard or similar
device, or engaging or attempting to engage in barefoot skiing, on
the waters in this state shall have present in the vessel
a

one
or both of the following:

(A)
A
person
or persons other than the operator, ten years of age or older, who
shall at all times observe the progress of the person being towed
;

(B)
A rearview mirror that provides a wide field of vision to the rear
that is mounted so that the operator can observe the activities of
the person being towed
.

The

The

operator
of the towing vessel shall at all times observe the traffic pattern
toward which the vessel is approaching.

No
person shall operate or permit to be operated any vessel on the
waters in this state in violation of this section.

Section
2.
That
existing section 1547.15 of the Revised Code is hereby repealed.