Representative Dovilla Votes in Support of House Transportation Budget

State Representative Mike Dovilla (R-Berea) voted yesterday in support of House Bill 54 – the House’s version of the State Transportation Budget – which passed unanimously. The bill allocates funding for Ohio’s extensive transportation system, prioritizing efforts that keep Ohio moving forward. 

"I am pleased to support this transportation budget, which passed the House by a unanimous, bipartisan vote," said Dovilla. "Of particular importance in the bill is an amendment I authored to require the Department of Transportation to conduct a study to develop a traffic congestion management strategic plan for an area along I-71 in the 17th House District. This language repeals a provision in the last transportation budget that, if fully implemented, would have a detrimental impact on residents in the southern parts of Strongsville and North Royalton and our neighbors in northern Medina County."

House Bill 54 is the primary mechanism to fund transportation infrastructure development and maintenance for FY 2026-2027. 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. 

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 of Ohio.  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 also commits over $4.1 billion for maintenance operations on Ohio’s current highway system, including roadway replacement, culvert inspections, and bridge maintenance.

ELECTION INTEGRITY

House Bill 54 prohibits the BMV from offering voter registration to a person who, according to the BMV’s own records, is ineligible to register to vote. 

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 now goes to the Ohio Senate for consideration.