SB 55 Ohio Senate · 136th Legislature (2025-2026)

Regards operating under the influence of marihuana, OVI evidence

Summary

To amend sections 1547.11, 3701.143, and 4511.19 of the Revised Code to change the laws pertaining to operating a vehicle or watercraft while under the influence of marihuana and the admissibility of evidence for purposes of OVI statutes.

Issues: ✓ Transportation

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Oct 2025

Senate Passage

Oct 2025

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 28, 2025 Last action Oct 15, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

As Introduced → As Passed by the Senate · 7 edits · Oct 8, 2025

MODERATE

This bill amends Ohio's OVI laws to update controlled substance thresholds for watercraft operation, add new drug testing provisions, and expand penalties for repeat offenders. The changes modernize the statute to address emerging drugs like salvia divinorum and methamphetamine while maintaining strict penalties for impaired boating and driving.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope from only vehicles to include watercraft operation, adds new controlled substances to prohibited lists, and clarifies that field sobriety tests can be used for watercraft violations.

SCOPE

Updated section 4511.19 to include watercraft-related offenses as equivalent offenses to vehicle OVI violations, allowing similar penalties for impaired boating.

REQUIREMENT

Added new drug concentration thresholds for methamphetamine, phencyclidine, and salvia divinorum to the list of controlled substances that constitute impairment.

Updated marihuana concentration thresholds and testing methods to align with current scientific standards and include oral fluid testing.

Added new provisions for independent chemical testing at the expense of the person tested, with specific requirements for advising arrestees of this right.

DEFINITION

Changed section 4511.181 to include watercraft-related offenses in the definition of 'equivalent offense' for sentencing enhancement purposes.

ENFORCEMENT

Added provisions allowing field sobriety tests administered for vehicle OVI to be used as evidence in watercraft-related proceedings.

FISCAL

Added detailed provisions for how OVI fines must be distributed among enforcement agencies, political subdivisions, treatment funds, and indigent defense support.

Floor votes · Senate Oct 8, 2025

How they voted

28–0

Passed

Total votes 28

Oct 8, 2025

D Democratic8

8 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican20

20 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Oct 15, 2025

Committee

Referred to committee

lower

Oct 14, 2025

Introduced

lower

Oct 8, 2025

Upper · Passed

Passed

upper

Jan 29, 2025

Committee

Referred to committee

upper

Jan 28, 2025

Introduced

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors