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sb398_02_PS
As Passed by the Senate
136th
General Assembly
Regular
Session
S. B. No. 398
2025-2026
Senators Blackshear, Wilson
Cosponsors: Senators Ingram, Brenner,
Smith, Antonio, Schaffer, Craig, DeMora, Gavarone, Hicks-Hudson,
Johnson, Landis, Manning, Patton, Reineke, Roegner, Romanchuk,
Timken, Wilkin
To
enact section 1546.33 of the Revised Code
to
create the Adopt a Trail Program.
BE
IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF OHIO:
Section
1.
That
section 1546.33 of the Revised Code be enacted to read as follows:
Sec.
1546.33.
(A)
The division of parks and watercraft shall establish and administer
the adopt a trail program to allow volunteer groups to assist in
maintaining and enhancing trails on state-owned land.
(B)
Except as otherwise provided in this section, volunteer groups in the
program may adopt any available trail or trail segment to engage in
any of the following activities:
(1)
Spring cleanup;
(2)
Litter collection;
(3)
Accessibility projects;
(4)
Special events;
(5)
Trail maintenance, enhancement, or realignment;
(6)
Public information and assistance;
(7)
Training.
(C)(1)
Volunteer groups seeking to participate in the program shall apply to
the chief of the division of parks and watercraft on a form
prescribed by the chief. The chief shall approve or deny such
application.
(2)
No volunteer group shall perform any activity on a trail or trail
segment without approval from the chief. If the chief approves
participation in the program, the chief shall enter into a written
agreement with a representative of the volunteer group. The chief may
allow more than one volunteer group to adopt one specific trail or
trail segment.
(D)
The chief shall adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the
Revised Code for the operation and implementation of the program. The
rules also shall establish requirements governing any agreement
entered into in accordance with division (C)(2) of this section,
including a requirement that the agreement contain all of the
following:
(1)
A provision that requires a volunteer group to participate in the
program for a minimum of two years;
(2)
A provision that specifies any required trail assistance or
maintenance when applicable;
(3)
A provision that requires compliance with all federal, state, and
local laws, regulations, and ordinances.
(E)
Volunteer groups shall consist of people who are eighteen years of
age or older. Participants seventeen years of age or younger shall be
accompanied by an adult who is at least eighteen years of age.
(F)
No volunteer group shall perform on any trail either of the
following:
(1)
Activities that reduce hours or compensation of a department of
natural resources employee;
(2)
Activities that are inconsistent with the terms of a collective
bargaining agreement.
(G)
If the division operates other programs in the vicinity of a trail
adopted by a volunteer group, the division shall coordinate such
programs to allow volunteer groups to participate.
(H)
The division may identify adopted trails with a sign at a location
along the adopted section after a volunteer group completes fifty
hours of service. The sign shall bear the name of the volunteer group
and the adopt a trail logo, which shall be created by the division.
(I)
The division shall coordinate with the closest solid waste management
district to ensure that trash and debris are properly disposed of
with proper documentation.
(J)
Volunteer groups shall place collected litter at designated locations
approved by the division. The division may coordinate with
volunteers, local authorities, and state agencies for the removal and
disposal of collected litter.
(K)
The division may provide garbage bags, safety training, and gloves to
volunteer groups in the program.