OH HB71

Applies to contract carriers transporting on-duty railroad employees within Ohio and to other states, requiring vehicles equipped with adequate seating, heating, and direct communication capability between employees and the railroad company.

Mandates driver requirements including valid driver's license, alcohol and drug screening under 49 C.F.R. Part 40, criminal records checks, completed employment applications, and annual driving record reviews with personal file maintenance.

Establishes hours of service limits restricting drivers to ten hours on-duty following eight consecutive hours off-duty, with additional restrictions of 60 hours per seven days or 70 hours per eight days depending on operational schedule.

Requires daily vehicle inspections with completion of Public Utilities Commission prescribed checklists, maintenance records retained for 18 months, and vehicles maintained according to manufacturer schedules; time records for drivers must be kept for six months.

Mandates minimum insurance coverage of $5 million for vehicles carrying 16+ passengers and $1.5 million for vehicles carrying 15 or fewer passengers, with compliance to all state and federal safety laws; violations subject to penalties under Ohio Revised Code section 4923.99.