To enact section 5533.106 of the Revised Code to designate a portion of State Route 47 in Darke County as the "PFC John Wayne Richard Memorial Highway."
Summary
HB50 is a memorial highway designation bill. It enacts section 5533.106 of the Revised Code to name the northbound and southbound lanes of State Route 47 between McGreevey Road and Long Road in Darke County as the "PFC John Wayne Richard Memorial Highway." The bill also authorizes the Ohio Department of Transportation to erect appropriate markers along the route identifying the new memorial name.
Substantively, the bill does not change traffic rules, roadway jurisdiction, funding formulas, or other regulatory provisions. Its legal effect is limited to adding a commemorative highway designation to the Ohio Revised Code for a specific segment of state highway in Darke County, and it allows, but does not require, the placement of signage by the transportation director.
Impact
HB50 amends Ohio law by creating a new memorial highway designation in section 5533.106 of the Revised Code. The practical impact is limited to signage and official recognition of a roadway segment in Darke County; it does not alter ownership, maintenance responsibilities, or transportation policy beyond the naming provision. The affected parties are primarily local residents, travelers on State Route 47, and those honoring PFC John Wayne Richard and his family or community.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have been broadly and unanimously supported. It passed both chambers with no recorded dissent, moving through the House Transportation Committee 8-0, the House 92-0, the Senate committee 7-0, and the Senate 32-0. The voting history suggests a noncontroversial commemorative measure with strong bipartisan agreement.
Contention
There is no recorded substantive contention in the available materials. Because the bill is a ceremonial highway naming measure, any discussion would likely have centered on the appropriateness of honoring PFC John Wayne Richard and the location of the memorial designation rather than on policy disagreements. The unanimous committee and floor votes indicate that no significant opposition emerged.