Require ODOT to install and maintain rest stop security cameras

As Introduced

136th
General Assembly

Regular
Session
H. B. No. 63

2025-2026

Representatives McNally, Abdullahi

Cosponsors: Representatives Brent,
Baker, Brennan, Synenberg, Rader, Sigrist, Cockley

A
BILL

To
amend section 5501.03 of the Revised Code
to
require ODOT to install and maintain security camera systems at rest
stops.

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

Section
1.
That
section 5501.03 of the Revised Code be amended to read as follows:

Sec.
5501.03.
(A)
The department of transportation shall:

(1)
Exercise and perform such other duties, powers, and functions as are
conferred by law on the director, the department, the assistant
directors, the deputy directors, or on the divisions of the
department;

(2)
Coordinate and develop, in cooperation with local, regional, state,
and federal planning agencies and authorities, comprehensive and
balanced state policy and planning to meet present and future needs
for adequate transportation facilities in this state, including
recommendations for adequate funding of the implementation of such
planning;

(3)
Coordinate its activities with those of other appropriate state
departments, public agencies, and authorities, and enter into any
contracts with such departments, agencies, and authorities as may be
necessary to carry out its duties, powers, and functions;

(4)
Cooperate with and assist the public utilities commission in the
commission's administration of sections 4907.47 to 4907.476 of the
Revised Code, particularly with respect to the federal highway
administration;

(5)
Cooperate with and assist the Ohio power siting board in the board's
administration of Chapter 4906. of the Revised Code;

(6)
Give particular consideration to the development of policy and
planning for public transportation facilities, and to the
coordination of associated activities relating thereto, as prescribed
under divisions (A)(2) and (3) of this section;

(7)
Conduct, in cooperation with the Ohio legislative service commission,
any studies or comparisons of state traffic laws and local traffic
ordinances with model laws and ordinances that may be required to
meet program standards adopted by the United States department of
transportation pursuant to the "Highway Safety Act of 1966,"
80 Stat. 731, U.S.C.A. 401;

(8)
Prepare, print, distribute, and advertise books, maps, pamphlets, and
other information that, in the judgment of the director, will inform
the public and other governmental departments, agencies, and
authorities as to the duties, powers, and functions of the
department;

(9)
In its research and development program, consider technologies for
improving safety, mobility, aviation and aviation education,
transportation facilities, roadways, including construction
techniques and materials to prolong project life, being used or
developed by other states that have geographic, geologic, or climatic
features similar to this state's, and collaborate with those states
in that development
.
;

(10)
Not later than June 30, 2031, install and maintain a system of
security cameras at each rest area over which the department has
jurisdiction. The director of transportation shall consult with the
director of public safety and the attorney general in determining an
appropriate schedule for the installation and maintenance of the
security cameras.

(B)
Nothing contained in this section shall be held to in any manner
affect, limit, restrict, or otherwise interfere with the exercise of
powers relating to transportation facilities by appropriate agencies
of the federal government, or by counties, municipal corporations, or
other political subdivisions or special districts in this state
authorized by law to exercise such powers.

(C)
The department may use all appropriate sources of revenue to assist
in the development and implementation of rail service as defined by
division (C) of section 4981.01 of the Revised Code.

(D)
The director of transportation may enter into contracts with public
agencies including political subdivisions, other state agencies,
boards, commissions, regional transit authorities, county transit
boards, and port authorities, to administer the design, qualification
of bidders, competitive bid letting, construction inspection,
research, and acceptance of any projects or transportation facilities
administered by the department, provided the administration of such
projects or transportation facilities is performed in accordance with
all applicable state and federal laws and regulations with oversight
by the department.

(E)
The director may enter into cooperative or contractual agreements
with any individual, organization, or business related to the
creation or promotion of a traveler information program. The traveler
information program shall provide real-time traffic conditions and
travel time information to travelers by telephone, text message,
internet, or other similar means at no cost to the traveler. The
director may contract with a program manager for the traveler
information program. The program manager shall be responsible for all
costs associated with the development and operation of the traveler
information program. The compensation due to a program manager or
vendor under any of these agreements may include deferred
compensation in an amount determined by the director. Excess revenue
shall be remitted to the department for deposit into the highway
operating fund.

(F)
Any materials or data submitted to, made available to, or received by
the director of transportation, to the extent that the materials or
data consist of trade secrets, as defined in section 1333.61 of the
Revised Code, or commercial or financial information, are
confidential and are not public records for the purposes of section
149.43 of the Revised Code.

Section
2.
That
existing section 5501.03 of the Revised Code is hereby repealed.