SB 280 Ohio Senate · 136th Legislature (2025-2026)

Allow registration of a humvee as a historical motor vehicle

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Oct 2025
Committee Review
May 2026
Senate Passage
May 2026
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Oct 7, 2025 Last action May 27, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

As Introduced As Passed by the Senate · 8 edits · May 20, 2026
MODERATE
This bill expands Ohio's vehicle registration laws to allow Humvees (high-mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicles) to be registered and operated on public roads. It creates two distinct pathways: full registration for general use after safety inspection, and limited registration for club activities or maintenance trips without a full safety inspection. The bill also adds specific exemptions for Humvees regarding state equipment standards, emissions, and noise regulations.
Scope change
The bill significantly expands the scope of the Revised Code by adding new definitions for various vehicle types and creating a specific legal framework for Humvees, which were previously restricted to off-road use only.
DEFINITION

Added a new definition for 'Humvee' and expanded the definition of 'Historical motor vehicle' to explicitly include Humvees.

Added numerous new definitions for modern vehicle types including electric vehicles, low-speed micromobility devices, and various recreational vehicles.

ELIGIBILITY

Created a new registration process allowing Humvees to be registered for general transportation if they pass a safety inspection and meet standard vehicle requirements.

Created a limited registration option for Humvees used only for club activities or maintenance, which does not require a safety inspection but requires a $10 fee and an affidavit of limited use.

REQUIREMENT

Mandated that Humvees seeking full registration must be modified to meet Chapter 4513 safety equipment standards and obtain a certificate of title removing the 'OFF-ROAD USE ONLY' designation.

Modified inspection requirements to exempt Humvees from standard inspection if they are registered under the limited use pathway.

Required Humvees registered for limited use to display their registration numbers painted directly on the vehicle rather than on license plates.

ENFORCEMENT

Added exemptions for Humvees registered under the limited pathway from state equipment standards, emissions, noise control, and fuel usage laws.

Floor votes · Senate May 20, 2026

How they voted

300
Passed
Total votes 30
May 20, 2026
D Democratic8
8 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican22
22 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
6
Key actions
1
Committee
2
May 27, 2026
Committee
Referred to committee
lower
May 26, 2026
Introduced
Introduced
lower
May 20, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed
upper
Oct 8, 2025
Committee
Referred to committee
upper
Oct 7, 2025
Introduced
Introduced
upper
1 primary · 1 co-sponsor

Sponsors