COLUMBUS – The Ohio House of Representatives today unanimously passed House Bill 54 – the House’s version of the State Transportation Budget. The bill allocates funding for Ohio’s extensive transportation system, prioritizing efforts to keep Ohio moving forward.
House Bill 54 is the primary mechanism to fund transportation infrastructure development and maintenance for FY 2026 and 2027. It invests more than $11.48 billion over the biennium into highway construction and maintenance and provides funding for safety upgrades on Ohio roadways. As compared to the Executive proposal introduced earlier this year, the House-passed version reduces appropriations by $49 million. Passed on the floor with bipartisan support, House Bill 54 includes provisions that aim to preserve Ohio’s vital infrastructure, promote economic development, and boost public safety.
“This fiscally responsible transportation budget ensures we can fund important road and bridge projects in every corner of Ohio and literally keep our state moving,” said Representative Brian Stewart (R-Ashville), who serves as Chair of the House Finance Committee. “I’m grateful to our members who engaged in the process by offering many great policy amendments that improved the bill.”
“Planes, trains, and automobiles—that’s what the transportation budget is about,” said Representative Bernie Willis (R-Springfield), who serves as Chair of the House Transportation Committee. “It’s designed to strengthen our infrastructure and really drives our economy here in Ohio. This has been one of the cleanest budgets we’ve ever run, and I’m proud to say it has been a success.”
PRESERVING INFRASTRUCTURE
House Bill 54 invests more than $393 million for new highway construction, improving the state’s transportation infrastructure for generations to come. The bill also establishes the Ohio Airport Improvement Program Fund to help airports that do not receive federal grants, aiming to improve infrastructure and the day-to-day operations at Ohio airports.
PROMOTING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & INNOVATION
House Bill 54 appropriates $15 million each fiscal year to continue the Ohio Workforce Mobility Partnership Program, which supports public workforce transportation in rural and urban areas. The program provides funding for infrastructure, equipment, technology, vehicles, and planning projects. The bill also increases funding for Transportation Improvement Districts (TIDs) to $9 million each fiscal year, promoting economic development through job creation. As part of continuing Ohio’s leadership in innovation, House Bill 54 creates the Division of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) within the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT).
BOOSTING PUBLIC SAFETY
House Bill 54 provides $382 million for targeted safety upgrades to Ohio’s roadways over the biennium. The bill alsocommits over $4.1 billion for maintenance operations on Ohio’s current highway system, including roadway replacement, culvert inspections, and bridge maintenance.
Additional provisions include:
- Designating $1 million in FY 26 for ODOT to conduct a pilot program to distribute private transit vouchers to low-income individuals and to submit a report to the General Assembly by January 1, 2027.
- Joining Ohio to the Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Compact, which includes membership to the Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Commission and earmarks $25,000 in each fiscal year to pay for the costs associated with joining the compact.
- Authorizing a person to register a replica motor vehicle for limited operation on public roads and highways.
- The E-Check Ease Act which creates a system where an owner of a motor vehicle may comply with the federal E-Check program by obtaining an alternative emissions certificate.
Ohio is home to a widespread infrastructure and transportation system. According to ODOT, the state has the fifth largest interstate system with more than 8,000 lane miles. Ohio is centrally located within a day’s drive of more than 60% of the U.S. and Canadian populations. The state has the nation’s third largest total number of bridges at 26,729 and is fourth in the nation in total active rail miles with 5,081 miles.
House Bill 54 passed unanimously and goes to the Ohio Senate for consideration.
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