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Bill

SB 449

Adopt the Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Compact

136th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Nickie Antonio and 1 co-sponsor

Creates a multistate Commission with Ohio to coordinate, advocate for, fund, and implement intercity/high-speed rail development across the Midwest.

Referred to committee
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Bill Summary · SB 449

Overview

  • Bill: SB 449
  • Session: 136th General Assembly (Ohio)
  • Introduced: 2026-06-01
  • Purpose: Enact the Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Compact into Ohio law and establish Ohio’s participation in a multistate commission to promote intercity and high-speed passenger rail in the Midwest.

Main purpose and intent

  • Ratify and adopt the Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Compact, creating a formal multi-state framework to coordinate, advocate for, and develop intercity and high-speed rail in the Midwest.
  • Facilitate cooperative action among Midwestern states and relevant public and private stakeholders to plan, fund, and implement passenger rail improvements.

Key provisions and changes

Section 4981.36 – Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Compact

  • Ratifies the Compact and sets forth its purposes, including:
    • Promoting development and implementation of intercity and high-speed rail in the Midwest.
    • Coordinating interaction among Midwest state officials and designees on rail issues.
    • Developing long-range plans for high-speed rail regionally and with other U.S. regions.
    • Facilitating coordination among public/private sector entities at federal, state, and local levels.
    • Supporting transportation agencies involved in Midwest rail efforts.
  • Establishes a multistate Commission to carry out duties under the Compact.
  • Authorizes multistate advocacy, partnerships with rail industry and labor, and development of long-term interstate rail plans.
  • Requires adoption of bylaws, governance procedures, and budgeting practices.
  • Empowers the Commission to raise funds, work with federal and state partners, and report annually to member states’ legislatures and governors.
  • Allows the Commission to:
    • Provide multistate advocacy and public engagement.
    • Coordinate with local and regional entities to raise visibility of rail benefits.
    • Educate officials and the public about intermodal rail integration.
    • Recommend funding and authorization for interstate rail plans.
    • Implement or oversee specific rail projects if requested by participating states under formal agreements.
    • Establish offices, hire staff, contract services, assess dues, conduct research, and form committees.

Article VIII – Participation and Effectiveness

  • Eligible states for joining: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin; others may join per bylaws.
  • The compact becomes effective in a participating state once its legislature enacts it into law, and becomes effective for all states after at least three party states enact it.
  • Amendments require enactment by all compacting states.

Article IX – Withdrawal and Default

  • Withdrawal requires a statute repealing the Compact, effective one year after enactment; withdrawing state remains liable for pre-withdrawal obligations.
  • Default by a state can trigger suspension of rights until remediation; persistent default can lead to termination of the compact for that state, with possible reinstatement if obligations are met.

Article VII – Finances

  • General funding for the Commission comes from equal apportionment by the compacting states, subject to each state’s laws.
  • The Commission may receive donations, grants, and other funding from federal, state, or private sources.
  • The Commission shall not issue debt; budgetary oversight is required to be reported to each state’s designated official.

Ohio-specific (Sec. 4981.361)

  • Ohio shall have four Commission members:
    • Governor appoints two members (per Article III of the Compact).
    • Speaker of the House and President of the Senate each appoint one member; these two appointees must be from different political parties.
  • Terms align with Article III of the Compact; vacancies filled as original selections were made.
  • Members serve without compensation but are reimbursed for reasonable expenses.
  • Appointees may be removed for misfeasance, malfeasance, or willful neglect of duty.

Who and what is affected

  • State government actors: Governor, Speaker of the House, President of the Senate, and their respective appointees, along with Ohio-based legislators who participate on the Commission.
  • Multistate collaboration: Ohio joins with other Midwest states to form a Commission focused on intercity/high-speed rail development, funding advocacy, and project oversight.
  • Potential rail projects: The Commission may oversee or implement rail projects upon formal agreement with participating states.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Effective date contingent on enactment by Ohio and at least three other party states; once the requirement is met, the compact becomes active for participating members.
  • Annual reporting to member state legislatures and governors is required.
  • Amendments require unanimous enactment by all compacting states.
  • Withdrawal or default procedures establish a one-year wind-down period or specified remediation timelines, with potential termination for default.

Potential impact

  • Creates a formal Ohio role in regional rail planning and advocacy, potentially accelerating intercity/high-speed rail discussions, funding, and project development in the Midwest.
  • Establishes governance, funding mechanisms, and procedural rules to coordinate across states, federal agencies, and private partners.
  • Could influence state budgets and policy by facilitating multistate collaboration, joint planning, and potential interstate rail investments.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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