The Legislative Service Commission staff updates the Revised Code on an ongoing basis, as it completes its act review of enacted legislation.
Updates may be slower during some times of the year, depending on the volume of enacted legislation.
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Section 4907.01 | Definitions.
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 487 - 129th General Assembly
As used in sections 4907.01 to 4907.63 of the Revised Code: (A) "Public utility" has the same meaning as in section 4905.02 of the Revised Code. (B) "Telephone company," "street railway company," and "interurban railroad company" have the same meanings as in section 4905.03 of the Revised Code. (C) "Railroad" has the same meaning as in section 4907.02 of the Revised Code. (D) "Public highway" has the same meaning as in section 4921.01 of the Revised Code.
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Section 4907.02 | Railroad defined.
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 487 - 129th General Assembly
As used in Chapters 4901., 4903., 4905., 4907., 4909., and 4959. of the Revised Code, "railroad" includes any corporation, company, individual, or association of individuals, or its lessees, trustees, or receivers appointed by a court, which owns, operates, manages, or controls a railroad or part of a railroad as a common carrier in this state, or which owns, operates, manages, or controls any cars or other equipment used on such a railroad, or which owns, operates, manages, or controls any bridges, terminals, union depots, sidetracks, docks, wharves, or storage elevators used in connection with such a railroad, whether owned by such railroad or otherwise, and means and includes express companies, water transportation companies, freight-line companies, sleeping car companies, and interurban railroad companies, and all persons and associations of persons, whether incorporated or not, operating such agencies for public use in the conveyance of persons or property within this state. All duties required of, and penalties imposed upon, a railroad or an officer or agent thereof insofar as they are applicable, are required and imposed upon express companies, water transportation companies, and interurban railroad companies, and upon their officers and agents. The public utilities commission has the power of supervision and control of express companies, water transportation companies, and interurban railroad companies to the same extent as railroads.
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Section 4907.03 | Regulation of service.
Effective:
October 1, 1953
Latest Legislation:
Senate Bill 361 - 100th General Assembly
Regulation of service applicable to railroads shall include: (A) The transportation of passengers and property between points within this state; (B) The receiving, switching, delivering, storing, and handling of such property; (C) All charges connected with divisions (A) and (B) of this section, including icing charges and mileage charges; (D) All railroad companies, sleeping car companies, equipment companies, express companies, car companies, freight and freight-line companies, and all associations of persons, whether incorporated or otherwise, which do business as common carriers, upon or over a line of railroad within this state; (E) A common carrier engaged in the transportation of passengers or property wholly by rail, partly by rail and partly by water, or wholly by water; (F) The regulation of all other duties, services, practices, and charges of the railroad company, incident to the shipping and receiving of freight, which are proper subjects of regulation. Such regulation shall not include or apply to the regulation of commerce with foreign nations, commerce among the several states, and commerce with the Indian tribes.
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Section 4907.04 | Exception.
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 487 - 129th General Assembly
Chapters 4901., 4903., 4905., 4907., and 4909. of the Revised Code do not apply to street and electric railways engaged solely in the transportation of passengers within the limits of cities, or to other private railroads not doing business as common carriers.
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Section 4907.05 | Power to confer with commissioners of other states.
Effective:
October 1, 1953
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly
The public utilities commission may confer on any matters relating to railroads by correspondence, by attending conventions, or otherwise, with the railroad commissioners of other states and with the interstate commerce commission.
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Section 4907.06 | Commission may inquire into management of railroads.
Effective:
October 1, 1953
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly
The public utilities commission may inquire into the management of the business of any railroad, and shall keep itself informed as to the manner and method in which it is conducted. It may obtain from a railroad the information necessary to enable it to perform the duties and carry out the objects for which it was created.
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Section 4907.07 | Investigation into violations of the interstate commerce law.
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 48 - 108th General Assembly
The public utilities commission may, and on complaint shall, investigate any freight rates on interstate traffic on railroads in this state. If in its opinion they are excessive, discriminatory, levied in violation of the interstate commerce law, or in conflict with the rulings, orders, or regulations of the interstate commerce commission, it shall present the facts to the railroad with the request to make such changes as the public utilities commission advises. If such changes are not made within a reasonable time, the public utilities commission shall apply by petition to the interstate commerce commission for relief.
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Section 4907.08 | Commission to inquire into neglect or violations of laws.
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 487 - 129th General Assembly
The public utilities commission shall inquire into any neglect or violation of the laws of this state by a railroad doing business in this state, by its officers, agents, or employees, or by any person operating a railroad. The commission shall enforce Chapters 4901., 4903., 4905., 4907., 4909., and 4959. of the Revised Code, as well as all other laws relating to railroads, and report violations thereof to the attorney general. If, upon complaint or otherwise, the commission has reason to believe that a railroad or any officer, agent, or employee of a railroad has violated or is violating any law of this state, or if it has reason to believe that differences have arisen between citizens of the state and any railroad operating as a common carrier within this state, it shall examine into the matter.
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Section 4907.09 | Power of commission to regulate in cases not designated.
Effective:
October 1, 1953
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly
If, after hearing and investigation as provided by Chapters 4901., 4903., 4905., 4907., 4909., 4921., 4923., and 4925. of the Revised Code, the public utilities commission finds any charge, regulation, or practice affecting the transportation of passengers or property, or any service in connection therewith, not specifically designated, unreasonable or unjustly discriminatory, it may regulate it as provided by such chapters in such cases.
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Section 4907.10 | Commission may make examinations.
Effective:
October 1, 1953
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly
Upon demand, the public utilities commission, a public utilities commissioner, or any person employed by the commission for that purpose, may inspect the books and papers of a railroad and examine under oath any officer, agent, or employee of a railroad, in relation to any matter which is the subject of complaint and investigation. A person, other than one of the commissioners, who makes such demand shall produce his authority to make such inspection, under the hand of a commissioner, or of the secretary, and under the seal of the commission.
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Section 4907.11 | Commission may require production of books and papers.
Effective:
October 1, 1953
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly
By order or subpoena served on a railroad as a summons is served in a civil action in the court of common pleas, the public utilities commission may require, at such time and place within this state as it designates, the production of books, papers, or accounts relating to any matter which is the subject of complaint or investigation, kept by such railroad in any office or place outside of this state, or verified copies thereof, in order that an examination of such books, papers, or accounts may be made by the commission or under its direction. Such subpoena may issue to a sheriff of any county of this state.
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Section 4907.12 | Forfeiture for refusal to comply with subpoena.
Effective:
October 1, 1953
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly
A railroad failing or refusing to comply within a reasonable time with an order or subpoena from the public utilities commission issued under section 4907.11 of the Revised Code shall forfeit and pay into the state treasury, for each day it so fails or refuses, not less than one hundred nor more than one thousand dollars, to be recovered in a civil action in the name of the commission.
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Section 4907.13 | Annual statement under oath to commission.
Effective:
October 1, 1953
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly
Every railroad company, incorporated or doing business in this state, shall file with the public utilities commission a full and true statement of the affairs of such company relative to this state, covering the yearly period fixed by the commission. Such statement shall be made under oath of the proper officers of such company and shall be similar in character and detail to the annual report required to be made by railroad companies to the interstate commerce commission. If any such report is defective or erroneous, the public utilities commission may order it to be amended within a prescribed time. Such annual reports shall be preserved in the office of the public utilities commission, which commission may require specific answers to questions upon which it desires information. A railroad company which violates this section is subject to the forfeiture provided in section 4905.12 of the Revised Code.
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Section 4907.14 | List of officers and directors.
Effective:
September 13, 2010
Latest Legislation:
Senate Bill 162 - 128th General Assembly
Within thirty days after the election of the directors of a railroad doing business in this state, the secretary of the railroad shall forward to the public utilities commission a list of the officers and directors thereof, giving the place of residence and post-office address of each. If a change occurs in the organization of the officers or board of directors of a railroad, the secretary shall notify the commission of such change and the residence and post-office address of each of the officers and directors.
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Section 4907.15 | Map and profile of new railroad.
Effective:
October 1, 1953
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly
Within a reasonable time after the construction of a railroad, or at any time when required by the public utilities commission, such railroad shall make and file with the commission a map and profile of such railroad, which shall be drawn on a scale, and certified and signed by the president or engineer of such railroad. A railroad company which violates this section is subject to the forfeiture provided in section 4905.12 of the Revised Code.
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Section 4907.16 | Commission shall be furnished copies of certain leases, contracts, and agreements.
Effective:
October 1, 1953
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly
On demand of the public utilities commission, each railroad within this state shall furnish copies of all leases, contracts, and agreements with express, sleeping car, freight, or rolling stock companies, or other companies doing business upon or in connection with such road, to the commission. The commission or its authorized agent may examine any officer, agent, or employee of a railroad or of such other companies, under oath, relative to the stock which he has in any of such companies, and his pecuniary interests, direct or indirect, in such companies.
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Section 4907.17 | Report of free transportation.
Effective:
October 1, 1953
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly
On the first Monday in February in each year, and oftener if required by the public utilities commission, each railroad shall file with the commission a verified list of all railroad tickets, passes, and mileage books issued free or for other than actual bona fide money consideration at full established rates during the preceding year, with the names of the recipients thereof, the amount received therefor, and the reason for issuing them. This section does not apply to the sale of tickets at reduced rates open to the public, or tickets, passes, or mileage books issued to persons not residents of the state, or tickets, passes, or mileage books issued free pursuant to authority conferred in sections 4907.30, 4907.31, and 4907.34 of the Revised Code.
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Section 4907.18 | Commission may demand copies of transportation contracts.
Effective:
October 1, 1953
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly
When required by the public utilities commission and within a time fixed by it, each railroad shall deliver to the commission for its use copies of all contracts which relate to the transportation of persons or property or any service in connection therewith, made or entered into by such railroad with any other railroad, terminal, depot, car or equipment company, express or other transportation company, bridge company, or any shipper, producer, consumer, or other person doing business with it.
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Section 4907.19 | Commission shall prepare blank forms for railroad.
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 487 - 129th General Assembly
The public utilities commission shall cause blank forms to be prepared suitable for the purposes designated in Chapters 4901., 4903., 4905., 4907., and 4909. of the Revised Code which shall conform as nearly as practicable to the forms prescribed by the interstate commerce commission, and, when necessary, furnish such blank forms to each railroad.
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Section 4907.20 | Forms - completion and verification.
Effective:
January 1, 1974
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 511 - 109th General Assembly
A railroad receiving blank forms from the public utilities commission shall cause them to be properly filled, answering fully and correctly each question therein. In case it is unable to answer any question, such railroad shall give a good and sufficient reason for not answering it. Such answers shall be verified under oath by the proper officer of the railroad and returned to the commission within the time fixed by it.
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Section 4907.21 | Refusal to fill blank forms.
Effective:
October 1, 1953
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly
No officer, agent, or employee of a railroad company shall willfully fail to fill out and return a blank form required by the public utilities commission, or by law, or willfully fail to answer a question propounded in a blank form, knowingly give a false answer to such question or evade the answer to it, if the fact inquired of is within his knowledge, or, upon proper demand, willfully fail to exhibit a book, paper, or account of such railroad which is in his possession or under his control, to a public utilities commissioner or other person authorized to examine it.
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Section 4907.22 | Prohibition against directing violation.
Effective:
October 1, 1953
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly
No railroad shall, by itself or by a general officer thereof, by direction, instruction, or request, cause an officer, agent, or employee of such railroad to violate section 4907.21 of the Revised Code.
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Section 4907.23 | Duty of railroad to report certain accidents.
Effective:
October 1, 1953
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly
Whenever an accident attended with loss of human life occurs within this state upon the line of any railroad, or on the depot grounds or yards of any railroad, such railroad shall give immediate notice of such accident to the public utilities commission. In case of such accident, the commission, if it deems the public interest requires it, shall cause an investigation to be made forthwith, which shall be held in the locality of the accident, unless for greater convenience of those concerned, the commission orders such investigation held at some other place. Such investigation may be adjourned from place to place as is necessary and convenient. The commission shall give reasonable notice to an officer or station agent of the company of the time and place of the investigation. The cost of such investigation shall be certified by the chairman of the commission, and audited and paid by the state as other expenses. The commission shall keep a record or file of the proceedings and evidence.
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Section 4907.24 | Adequate service and facilities.
Effective:
October 1, 1953
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly
Each railroad shall furnish reasonably adequate service and facilities. The charges made for any service rendered or to be rendered in the transportation of passengers or property, for any service in connection therewith, or for the receiving, switching, delivering, storing, or handling of such property, shall be reasonable and just. Every unjust and unreasonable charge for such service is prohibited.
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Section 4907.25 | Railroad shall file schedules.
Effective:
October 1, 1953
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly
Each railroad shall print in plain type and file with the public utilities commission, within a time fixed by the commission, schedules, showing all rates, fares, and charges for transportation of passengers and property, and any service in connection therewith, which such railroad has established and which are in force at such time between all points in this state upon its railroad, or upon any railroad controlled or operated by it. Such schedules shall be open to public inspection. Such schedules shall plainly state the places upon such railroad or upon any railroad controlled or operated by it in this state between which passengers and property will be carried, and there shall be filed with such schedule the classification of freight in force. As a part of such schedules, each railroad shall publish the rules and regulations affecting the rates charged or to be charged for transportation of passengers or property, and also its charges for delay in loading or unloading cars, for track and car service, rental, demurrage, switching, terminal or transfer service, or for any other service in connection with transportation of persons or property. Two copies of such schedules, in such form and places as are accessible for inspection by the public, shall be filed and kept on file in every depot, station, and office of such railroad where passengers or freight are received for transportation.
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Section 4907.26 | Schedules of joint rates.
Effective:
October 1, 1953
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly
When passengers or property are transported over connecting railroads in this state operated by two or more railroads which establish joint rates, fares, and charges, a schedule thereof, compiled as provided in section 4907.25 of the Revised Code, shall be printed, filed with the public utilities commission, and filed in every depot, station, and office of such railroads where passengers or property are received for transportation.
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Section 4907.27 | Changes in schedules.
Effective:
October 1, 1953
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly
After schedules are filed as provided in sections 4907.25 and 4907.26 of the Revised Code, no change shall be made in any schedule, including a schedule of joint rates, or in any classification, except upon thirty days' notice to the public utilities commission. All such changes shall be plainly indicated upon existing schedules, or by filing new schedules thirty days prior to the time they are to take effect. The commission may, for good cause shown, allow changes upon less than the notice specified in this section, or modify the requirements of this section in respect to publishing, posting, and filing of tariffs, either in particular instances or by a general order applicable to special or peculiar circumstances or conditions. Copies of all new schedules shall be filed as provided in section 4907.26 of the Revised Code in every depot, station, and office of such railroad thirty days prior to the time they are to take effect, unless the commission prescribes a less time. When a change is made in an existing schedule, including schedules of joint rates, the railroad shall post a notice in a conspicuous place in every depot, station, and office, stating that changes have been made in the schedules on file, specifying the class or commodity affected, and stating the date when such changes will take effect.
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Section 4907.28 | Charges shall conform to schedule.
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 487 - 129th General Assembly
No railroad shall charge, demand, collect, or receive a greater or less compensation for the transportation of passengers or property, or for any service in connection therewith, than is specified in the printed schedules referred to in sections 4907.25 to 4907.27 of the Revised Code, including schedules of joint rates, as being then in force. The rates, fares, and charges named in such schedules shall be the lawful rates, fares, and charges until they are changed as provided in Chapters 4901., 4903., 4905., 4907., and 4909. of the Revised Code.
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Section 4907.29 | Commission shall prescribe forms.
Effective:
October 1, 1953
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly
The public utilities commission may prescribe such changes in the form in which schedules are issued by a railroad as are expedient. Such schedules, as far as practicable, shall conform to the forms prescribed by the interstate commerce commission.
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Section 4907.30 | Free transportation prohibited - exceptions.
Effective:
September 13, 2010
Latest Legislation:
Senate Bill 162 - 128th General Assembly
No railroad company owning or operating a railroad wholly or partly within this state shall, directly or indirectly, issue or give a free ticket, free pass, or free transportation for passengers, except to: (A) Its employees and their families, its officers, agents, surgeons, physicians, and attorneys at law; (B) Ministers of religion, traveling secretaries of railroad young men's or young women's Christian associations, inmates of hospitals and charitable institutions, and persons exclusively engaged in charitable work; (C) Indigent, destitute, and homeless persons, and to such persons when transported by charitable societies or hospitals, and the necessary agents employed in such transportation; (D) Residents of the national homes or state homes for disabled volunteer soldiers, and residents of veterans' homes, including those about to enter and those returning home after discharge, and boards of managers of such homes; (E) Necessary caretakers of livestock, poultry, and fruit; (F) Employees on sleeping cars or express cars; (G) Line workers of telephone companies; (H) Railway mail service employees, post-office inspectors, custom inspectors, and immigration inspectors; (I) News carriers on trains, baggage agents, witnesses attending any legal investigation in which the railroad is interested, persons injured in wrecks, and physicians and nurses attending such persons. As used in this section, "employee" includes furloughed, pensioned, and superannuated employees, persons who have become disabled or infirm in the service of any such common carrier, the remains of a person killed in the employment of a carrier, and ex-employees traveling for the purpose of entering the service of any such common carrier, and "families" includes the families of such persons and also the surviving spouses and dependent children of employees who died while in the service of any common carrier.
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Section 4907.31 | Passes may be interchanged.
Effective:
October 1, 1953
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly
Section 4907.30 of the Revised Code does not prohibit the interchange of passes for the officers, agents, and employees and their families. Such section does not prohibit any railroad company from carrying passengers free in order to provide relief in cases of general epidemics, pestilence, or other calamitous visitation.
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Section 4907.32 | Prohibition.
Effective:
October 1, 1953
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly
No railroad company shall violate sections 4907.30, 4907.31, and 4907.34 of the Revised Code. No person, other than the persons excepted in such sections, shall use a free ticket, free pass, or free transportation.
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Section 4907.33 | Uniform classification of freight.
Effective:
October 1, 1953
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly
The classification of freight in this state shall be uniform on all railroads.
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Section 4907.34 | Exceptions as to freight rates.
Effective:
October 1, 1953
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly
Chapters 4901., 4903., 4905., 4907., 4909., 4921., 4923., and 4925. of the Revised Code do not prevent the carriage, storage, or handling of freight free or at reduced rates, for the United States, this state, any political subdivision thereof, for charitable purposes, to and from fairs and expositions for exhibition thereat, or the property of railroad employees for their own exclusive use or consumption or that of their families. Such chapters do not prevent the issuance of mileage, commutation, or excursion passenger tickets, if obtainable by any person applying therefor without discrimination, or of party tickets, if obtainable by all persons applying therefor under like circumstances and conditions.
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Section 4907.35 | Unjust discrimination - forfeiture.
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 487 - 129th General Assembly
If a railroad, or an agent or officer of a railroad, by special rate, rebate, drawback, or by means of false billing, false classification, false weighing, or other device, charges, demands, collects, or receives, either directly or indirectly, from any person, firm, or corporation, a greater or less compensation for service rendered or to be rendered by such railroad for the transportation of persons or property or any service in connection therewith, than that prescribed in the published tariffs then in force, or established as provided in Chapters 4901., 4903., 4905., 4907., and 4909. of the Revised Code, or a greater or less compensation than it charges, demands, collects, or receives from any other person, firm, or corporation for a like and contemporaneous service in the transportation of a like kind of traffic, under substantially similar circumstances and conditions, the railroad is guilty of unjust discrimination, which is hereby prohibited. Upon conviction of unjust discrimination, such railroad shall forfeit and pay into the state treasury not less than one hundred nor more than five thousand dollars for each offense. No agent or officer of a railroad shall violate this section.
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Section 4907.36 | Illegal concessions.
Effective:
October 1, 1953
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly
No railroad shall demand, charge, collect, or receive from a person, firm, or corporation a less compensation for the transportation of property or for a service rendered or to be rendered by such railroad in consideration of such person, firm, or corporation furnishing a part of the facilities incident thereto. This section does not prohibit a railroad from procuring facilities or service incident to transportation and paying a reasonable compensation therefor.
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Section 4907.37 | Unlawful preference.
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 487 - 129th General Assembly
No common carrier subject to Chapters 4901., 4903., 4905., 4907., and 4909. of the Revised Code shall make or give undue or unreasonable preference or advantage to a particular person, company, firm, corporation, or locality, or to any particular description of traffic, or subject any particular person, company, firm, corporation, or locality, or any particular description of traffic, to any undue or unreasonable prejudice or disadvantage in any respect.
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Section 4907.38 | Rebate or concessions prohibited.
Effective:
October 1, 1953
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly
No person, firm, or corporation, shall knowingly accept or receive a rebate, concession, or discrimination in respect to transportation of property wholly within this state or for service in connection therewith, whereby such property, by false billing, false classification, false weighing, or other device, is transported at a less rate than that named in the published tariffs in force, or whereby any service or advantage is received other than that specified in such tariffs.
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Section 4907.39 | Depots, switches, and sidetracks.
Effective:
October 1, 1953
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly
Each railroad shall provide and maintain adequate depots and depot buildings at its regular stations for the accomodation of passengers. Such depot buildings shall be kept clean, well-lighted, and warmed, for the comfort and accomodation of the traveling public. Each railroad shall provide and maintain adequate and suitable freight depots, buildings, switches, and sidetracks for receiving, handling, and delivering freight, transported or to be transported by such railroad.
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Section 4907.40 | Control over private tracks.
Effective:
October 1, 1953
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly
The public utilities commission has the same control over private tracks, so far as such tracks are used by common carriers in connection with a railroad for the transportation of freight, as it has over the tracks of such railroad.
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Section 4907.41 | Supply of cars.
Effective:
October 1, 1953
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly
Upon reasonable notice, each railroad shall furnish suitable cars for all persons who may apply therefor, for the transportation of any and all kinds of freight in carload lots, if it is within its power to do so. In case of insufficiency of cars at any time to meet all requirements, such cars as are available shall be distributed among the applicants therefor in proportion to their respective immediate requirements, without discrimination between shippers, or between competitive or noncompetitive places. Preference may be given to shipments of livestock and perishable property. The public utilities commission may enforce reasonable regulations for furnishing cars to shippers, switching, loading, and unloading cars, and the weighing of cars and freight offered for shipment over any railroad.
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Section 4907.42 | Interchange of traffic.
Effective:
October 1, 1953
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly
Railroad companies as between themselves, and interurban railroads and electric railways as between themselves, shall afford reasonable and proper facilities for interchange of traffic between their respective lines, for forwarding and delivering passengers and property, and shall transfer and deliver, without unreasonable delay or discrimination, loaded or empty cars, freight, or passengers, destined to a point on its own or connecting lines. Precedence over other freight may be given to livestock and perishable freight.
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Section 4907.43 | Railroad track connection.
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 487 - 129th General Assembly
When the tracks of a railroad and the tracks of an interurban or suburban railway cross, connect, or intersect, and such tracks are of the same gauge, the companies owning such railroads may connect such tracks so as to admit the passage of cars from one to the other with facility. If any such railroads fail to make such connection, upon complaint of any party authorized by Chapters 4901., 4903., 4905., 4907., and 4909. of the Revised Code to file complaint, the public utilities commission shall proceed to hear and determine the same in a manner provided for making investigations upon complaint. If upon such hearing the commission finds that it is practicable and reasonably necessary to accommodate the public, to connect such tracks and that when so connected it will be practicable to transport cars over such railroad without endangering the equipment, tracks, or appliances of either company, the commission shall make an order requiring such railroads to make connection. Such order shall describe the terms and conditions and shall apportion the cost of making such connection between the railroads. When such connection is made, the railroads parties to it, according to their respective powers, shall afford all reasonable and proper facilities for the interchange of traffic between their respective lines for forwarding and delivering passengers and property, and without unreasonable delay or discrimination shall transfer, switch, and deliver freight or passenger cars destine to a point on its own or connecting lines. Precedence may be given to livestock and perishable freight over other freight. Whenever a derailing device is required at the intersection of any railroads mentioned in this section, it shall be installed, maintained, and operated as required by the commission, which may prescribe the necessary rules and regulations for such operation, and designate the companies that shall be responsible for the operation of such derailing device.
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Section 4907.44 | Duty of commission as to dangerous structures.
Latest Legislation:
Senate Bill 480 - 107th General Assembly
A railroad subject to regulation by the public utilities commission shall, in accordance with American railway engineers association codes of rules for inspection or other standards approved by the public utilities commission, inspect annually every bridge used for transportation of freight, passengers, or railroad crews on which the railroad performs all or part of the structural maintenance work. Inspection shall be made or supervised by a professional engineer. If at any time a bridge is found to be dangerous or unfit for transportation of passengers, freight, or railroad crews, the railroad shall immediately report the condition of the bridge to the public utilities commission. When the bridge passes over a public highway, such report shall also be given to the public authority having jurisdiction over such highway. The railroad shall file the annual inspection report with the commission on forms furnished by the commission or in a form acceptable to the commission. The commission shall examine all inspection reports. If, as a result of examination of inspection reports, on complaint, or otherwise, the public utilities commission has reasonable grounds to believe that any of the tracks, bridges, or other structures of a railroad are in a condition which renders them dangerous or unfit for the transportation of passengers, freight, or railroad crews, it shall forthwith inspect and examine them. If the commission is of the opinion that such structures are unfit for the transportation of passengers, freight, or railroad crews with safety, it shall immediately give to the superintendent, or other executive officer of the company operating such railroad, notice of the condition thereof, and of the repairs or reconstruction necessary to place them in a safe condition. The commission shall prescribe the time within which such repairs or reconstruction must be made, and the rate of speed for trains passing over such dangerous or defective track, bridge, or other structure, until the repairs or reconstruction required are made. If of the opinion that it is needful and proper, the commission shall forbid the running of all trains over such defective track, bridge, or other structure.
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Section 4907.45 | Repair of defective track.
Effective:
October 1, 1953
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly
No superintendent or other executive officer of a company operating a railroad who receives from the public utilities commission notice of a prescribed rate of speed for trains passing over a defective track, bridge, or other structure, or notice forbidding the running of passenger trains over such defective track, bridge, or other structure, shall neglect, within two days after receiving such notice, to direct the proper subordinate officers to run the passenger trains over such defective track, bridge, or other structure at a speed not greater than that so prescribed, or, if the running of a passenger train is so forbidden, to stop running passenger trains over it. No engineer, conductor, or other employee shall knowingly disobey such an order.
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Section 4907.46 | Forfeiture in case of noncompliance.
Effective:
October 1, 1953
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly
If the company operating a railroad neglects or without good cause fails to make the repairs or reconstruction prescribed by the public utilities commission within the time limited by it under sections 4907.44 and 4907.45 of the Revised Code, such company shall forfeit to the state one hundred dollars for each day that such repairs or reconstruction is delayed beyond the time prescribed.
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Section 4907.47 | Installing crossing signals.
Effective:
October 29, 1989
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 111 - 118th General Assembly
(A) If, after public hearing as to the necessity for installing protective devices at a public railroad highway grade crossing, written notice of which is published once a week for three consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the county in which the crossing is located and is given the railroad and public authority involved at least thirty days in advance of such hearing, it is the opinion of the public utilities commission that the public safety requires a gate, automatic alarm bell, or other mechanical device to be erected and maintained at any place where a public road or street is crossed at the same level by a railroad, and the crossing has been declared by the commission to be so dangerous and hazardous as to require additional protective devices, or the public safety requires that a flagman be stationed and maintained at such crossing, the commission shall give the superintendent, manager, or other officer in charge of such railroad a written order of what is required, and shall assign the cost of installing any such device between the railroad and the public in any proportion it determines proper that is consistent with any applicable federal requirements, after giving due consideration to the factors listed in division (B) of this section. (B) In assigning the cost of any such device the commission shall consider factors of volume of vehicular traffic, volume of train traffic, train type and speed, limitations of view and the causes thereof, savings, if any, which will inure to the railroad as the result of the installation, benefits to the public resulting from the reduction of hazard at the crossing, the probable cost of the installation, the future cost to the railroad of maintaining any such device, and any other special factors and conditions that the commission considers relevant. The commission may accept a railroad's agreement to maintain the installation as being its share of the cost for the protection. If any part of the cost is assigned to the public, it shall be apportioned to the state agency or political subdivision having jurisdiction over such crossing, and may be paid from any funds levied and made available for highway or street purposes; provided, that funds from the grade crossing protection fund created by section 4907.472 of the Revised Code may be used to pay the public's share of the cost. After the commission has issued an appropriate order requiring that additional protective devices be installed by a specific date, which shall be a reasonable time from the date of the order, the railroad concerned shall erect or install the additional protective devices or station the flagman within the time prescribed by the order. If the additional protective devices are not erected or installed within that time, the commission may reduce or eliminate the amount of any funds in the grade crossing protection fund obligated to pay the public's share of the costs relating to the erection, installation, and maintenance of the additional protective devices and, consistent with any applicable federal requirements, may assign to the railroad concerned any amount, up to one hundred per cent, of the total amount of the costs of erecting, installing, and maintaining the additional protective devices. Any person owning or operating a railroad and neglecting or refusing to erect or maintain such gate, automatic alarm bell, or other mechanical device, or to maintain such flagman, when required by the commission pursuant to this section or section 4907.471 of the Revised Code, and after the commission has issued an appropriate order finding that the public funds will be made available with respect to any protective device it has ordered installed, shall forfeit to the state, for every such neglect or refusal, one thousand dollars, and in addition, shall forfeit one thousand dollars for each day such neglect or refusal continues.
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Section 4907.471 | Surveys determining probability of accident at crossing.
Effective:
November 28, 1991
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 248 - 119th General Assembly
(A) The public utilities commission shall survey all public crossings of railroads at grade, whether on state, county, or township highways or on streets or ways within municipal corporations. The commission shall devise a formula according to sound highway engineering practice for determining the probability of accident at each such crossing and may include in the formula factors representing volume of vehicular traffic, volume of train traffic, history of previous accidents, train type and speed, limitations of view, intersection angle, number of tracks, highway alignment, and such other special factors and conditions as are in its opinion relevant. The commission shall submit the formula to the director of transportation, who shall review it to ensure that it is consistent with applicable federal requirements. The commission shall classify all such public crossings according to that formula and shall prepare a priority list for the protection of such crossings, giving highest priority to the crossings at which the commission finds the highest probability of accident, and lowest priority to the ones at which it finds the least probability of accident, provided that for the purposes of this section the commission shall place first on the list any crossing that meets all of the following criteria: (1) The crossing is at a section of railroad track that is being reactivated on or after May 1, 1990, and that has not been used for at least three years prior to the reactivation as determined by the commission; (2) The territory abutting the railroad's right-of-way for a distance of three hundred feet or more has been improved with residences during the period of time the track was not being used; (3) The commission has designated the crossing as dangerous and hazardous under division (A) of this section. The priority list shall be for the use of the commission in carrying out this section and sections 4907.47, 4907.474, and 4907.475 of the Revised Code and shall not be admissible in evidence in any action to recover damages for negligence arising out of the use of such grade crossings. The list shall be made available to the department of transportation for use in carrying out sections 4511.61 and 4955.33 of the Revised Code. The survey shall be continuous, and after the original list is prepared, the commission may change the respective priority ratings as it may from time to time determine. When new crossings at grade are opened, the commission shall survey them and place them on the priority list at such places as in its opinion the probability of accident at those crossings warrants. The commission may, pursuant to the priority ratings established as provided in this section, designate as dangerous and hazardous any railroad highway grade crossing it determines to be in need of additional protective devices. With respect to a high priority crossing so designated, the commission may negotiate with the railroad concerned, and with the state agency or political subdivision having jurisdiction over the crossing, an agreement providing for the installation at the crossing of appropriate luminous reflecting warning signs, luminous flashing signals, crossing gates illuminated at night, or other protective devices. The number, type, and location of the signs, signals, gates, or other protective devices, which shall conform with generally recognized national standards, shall be determined by agreement among the commission, the railroad concerned, and the state agency or political subdivision. The assignment of any part or all of the cost of the installation and subsequent maintenance of such signs, signals, gates, or other protective devices to the railroad and to the state or the political subdivisions shall be by the commission in any proportion it determines proper that is consistent with any applicable federal requirements, after giving due consideration to the factors listed in division (C) of this section. (B) In cases where the railroad does not agree that the installation of additional protective devices is necessary, or where no agreement can be reached with the railroad as to the number, type, or location of such devices or the proportion of cost to be assigned to the railroad, the commission shall hold a public hearing as to the necessity for installing additional protective devices at the crossing at issue. Written notice of the hearing shall be given to the railroad at least thirty days in advance of the hearing, and notice of the hearing shall be published once a week for three consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the county in which the crossing at issue is located. If, after the hearing, it is the opinion of the commission that the public safety requires additional protective devices to be erected and maintained at the crossing, the commission shall give the superintendent, manager, or other officer in charge of the railroad a written order of the protective devices required and the date by which any action shall be completed, and shall assign to the parties the cost of installing and maintaining the protective devices in any proportion it determines proper that is consistent with any applicable federal requirements, after giving due consideration to the factors listed in division (C) of this section. (C) In assigning the cost of additional protective devices, the commission shall consider factors of volume of vehicular traffic, volume of train traffic, train type and speed, limitations of view and the causes thereof, savings, if any, which will inure to the railroad as the result of the installation, benefits to the public resulting from the reduction of hazard at the crossing, the probable cost of the installation, the future cost to the railroad of maintaining the devices, and any other special factors and conditions that the commission considers relevant. The commission may accept a railroad's agreement to maintain the additional protective devices as being its share of the cost for the protection. If any part of the cost of installation is assigned by the commission to the state agency or political subdivision having jurisdiction over the crossing, that cost may be paid from any funds levied and made available for highway or street purposes, provided that funds from the grade crossing protection fund created by section 4907.472 of the Revised Code may be used to pay the public's share of the cost. After the commission has issued an appropriate order requiring that additional protective devices be installed by a specific date, which shall be a reasonable time from the date of the order, the railroad concerned shall erect or install the additional protective devices within the time prescribed by the order. If the additional protective devices are not erected or installed within that time, the commission may reduce or eliminate the amount of any funds in the grade crossing protection fund obligated to pay the public's share of the costs relating to the erection, installation, and maintenance of the additional protective devices and, consistent with any applicable federal requirements, may assign to the railroad concerned any amount, up to one hundred per cent, of the total amount of the costs of erecting, installing, and maintaining the additional protective devices.
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Section 4907.472 | Grade crossing protection fund.
Effective:
January 1, 2018
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 26 - 132nd General Assembly
(A) There is hereby created in the state treasury the grade crossing protection fund for the purpose of paying: (1) The public share of the cost of reducing hazards at public highway-railway crossings at any location where a railway and a public highway intersect each other at a common grade, when such protection is ordered by the public utilities commission pursuant to section 4907.47, 4907.471, or 4907.49 of the Revised Code; (2) The costs incurred by the commission in administering sections 4907.47 to 4907.476 of the Revised Code. (B) Moneys for the fund shall be provided from the motor fuel tax levied under section 5735.05 of the Revised Code and any federal funds apportioned and allocated to the state for the reduction of hazards at railroad grade crossings. One hundred thousand dollars shall be transferred to the fund each month as provided for in section 5735.051 of the Revised Code, and may be expended by the commission to pay the public share of the costs for reducing hazards at railway crossings with highways, roads, or streets on the state, county, township, or municipal highway and street systems and the costs incurred by the commission in administering sections 4907.47 to 4907.476 of the Revised Code, provided that not more than ten per cent of the amounts thus transferred each fiscal year may be used for paying such administrative costs that fiscal year.
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Section 4907.473 | Removing or defacing protective device prohibited.
Effective:
October 29, 1989
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 111 - 118th General Assembly
No person shall unlawfully remove, displace, injure, or deface any sign, signal, gate, or other protective device required to be installed under Chapter 5523. of the Revised Code.
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Section 4907.474 | Closing crossings to vehicular traffic.
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 152 - 120th General Assembly
(A) In making the survey provided for by section 4907.471 of the Revised Code, the public utilities commission shall determine as to each crossing whether there is a demonstrable need for such crossing to exist and whether the crossing could be closed to vehicular traffic, or to pedestrian traffic, or to both, and the travel over the crossing diverted to other crossings. In making this determination, the commission shall consider all of the following: (1) The daily vehicular and train traffic at the crossing to be closed; (2) The daily vehicular and train traffic at any alternate crossings; (3) The daily increase in vehiclular traffic at alternate crossings resulting from proposed crossing closures; (4) The nature of the roadway at any alternate crossings; (5) The total number of crossings within one linear mile of the crossing to be closed; (6) The type of advance warning devices at any alternate crossings; (7) The sight distances at any alternate crossings, including any permanent obstruction affecting distance of view; (8) The impact of closure on vehicular traffic, emergency vehicles, commercial enterprises, and any other factors pertinent to municipal corporations and other populated areas; (9) Any other factor the commission determines appropriate. (B) If the commission finds that there is not a demonstrable need for a crossing to exist according to the factors listed in divisions (A)(1) to (9) of this section and that the crossing could be closed, and if the crossing is on a street or way within a municipal corporation, the commission shall hold a public hearing on the issue of the possible closing of the crossing to vehicular traffic, or to pedesterian traffic, or both, and invite comments on the closing and the effects the closing would have on the vehicular and pedestrian traffic patterns within the municipal corporation. The commission also shall hold such a hearing upon application of the municipal corporation within which a crossing is located, or upon application of the railroad having jurisdiction over a crossing, if the municipal corporation or railroad believes that there is not a demonstrable need for the crossing to exist and that the crossing should be closed to the public. Any such application filed by a municipal corporation or railroad shall be on a form provided by the commission. Notice of the hearing shall be published once a week for three consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the municipal corporation in which the crossing at issue is located. The hearing shall be held at a location within the boundaries of the municipal corporation. If, after the hearing, it is the opinion of the commission that there is not a demonstrable need for the crossing to exist according to the factors listed in divisions (A)(1) to (9) of this section and that the crossing should be closed, the commission shall issue an order to the legislative authority of the municipal corporation in which the crossing is located directing it to discontinue the crossing and close it to vehicular traffic, or to pedestrian traffic, or both, by ordinance. The commission shall enter the order upon its journal. The legislative authority of the municipal corporation, within thirty days after receipt of the order from the commission, shall discontinue the crossing and close it to vehicular traffic, or to pedestrian traffic, or both, as specified in the order of the commission. (C) The municipal corporation or railroad may file with the commission an application for a rehearing of the commission's order issued under division (B) of this section. Any application for a rehearing of an order issued by the commission under this section shall be filed in accordance with and meet the requirements contained in section 4903.10 of the Revised Code, and any rehearing held by the commission shall be conducted in accordance with that section. The municipal corporation or railroad may appeal the order of the commission, as affirmed or modified by the commission after the rehearing, to the supreme court. (D) The commission shall assess the costs, as determined by the commission, of the closure of a crossing under this section against the railroad having jurisdiction over the crossing. If a municipal corporation or railroad applies for closure of a crossing under division (B) of this section, the commission may assess the costs of any investigation conducted under this section to make the determination required by division (A) of this section against the municipal corporation or railroad that applies for the closure.
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Section 4907.475 | Closing rural crossings.
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 152 - 120th General Assembly
(A) If the public utilities commission finds that there is not a demonstrable need for the crossing to exist according to the factors listed in divisions (A)(1) to (9) of section 4907.474 of the Revised Code and that the crossing could be closed to vehicular traffic, or to pedestrian traffic, or to both, and the travel over the crossing diverted to other crossings, and if the crossing is on a road or highway other than a state highway and is outside the limits of a municipal corporation, the commission shall hold a public hearing on the issue of the possible closing of the crossing to vehicular traffic, or to pedestrian traffic, or both, and invite comments on the closing and the effects the closing would have on the traffic and pedestrian travel patterns within the county. The commission also shall hold such a hearing upon application of the county within which a crossing is located, or upon application of the railroad having jurisdiction over a crossing, if the county or railroad believes that there is not a demonstrable need for the crossing to exist and that the crossing should be closed to the public. Any such application filed by a county or railroad shall be on a form provided by the commission. Notice of the hearing shall be published once a week for three consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the county in which the crossing at issue is located. The hearing shall be held at a location within the boundaries of the county. If, after the hearing, it is the opinion of the commission that there is not a demonstrable need for the crossing to exist according to the factors listed in divisions (A)(1) to (9) of section 4907.474 of the Revised Code and that the crossing should be closed, the commission shall issue an order to the board of county commissioners of the county in which such crossing is located directing it to discontinue the crossing and to close it to vehicular traffic, or to pedestrian traffic, or to both, by resolution as provided by sections 5553.01 to 5553.07 of the Revised Code. The board, within thirty days after receipt of the order from the commission, shall discontinue the crossing and close it to vehicular traffic, or to pedestrian traffic, or both, as specified in the order of the commission. (B) The board or railroad may file an application with the commission for a rehearing of the commission's order issued under division (A) of this section. Any application for a rehearing of an order issued by the commission under this section shall be filed in accordance with and meet the requirements contained in section 4903.10 of the Revised Code, and any rehearing held by the commission shall be conducted in accordance with that section. The county or railroad may appeal the order of the commission, as affirmed or modified by the commission after the rehearing, to the supreme court. (C) The commission shall assess the costs, as determined by the commission, of the closure of a crossing under this section against the railroad having jurisdiction over the crossing. If a county or railroad applies for closure of a crossing under division (A) of this section, the commission may assess the costs of any investigation conducted under this section to make the determination required by division (A) of section 4907.474 of the Revised Code against the county or railroad that applies for the closure.
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Section 4907.476 | Use of federal funds.
Effective:
October 29, 1989
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 111 - 118th General Assembly
In its administration of sections 4907.47 to 4907.475 of the Revised Code, the public utilities commission shall, to the extent that it uses federal funds in connection with the erection, installation, or maintenance of any grade crossing protective devices or additional grade crossing protective devices, adhere to all pertinent federal laws and regulations. Where such laws or regulations require that the department of transportation make final decisions for the state in matters regarding grade crossing protective device projects or additional grade crossing protective device projects, or enter into contracts and agreements for such projects on behalf of the state, or take other actions regarding such projects on behalf of the state that are necessary to comply with such laws and regulations, the commission shall work with and through the department, and may make agreements with the department, in its administration of sections 4907.47 to 4907.475 of the Revised Code. As a means of simplifying its administration of such sections, the commission may elect to use only state funds for the design or administrative costs associated with any such project. As a means of enforcing its orders under such sections, the commission may, as allowed by federal law and regulation, elect to use no federal funds in connection with the erection, installation, or maintenance of particular grade crossing protective device or additional grade crossing protective device projects.
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Section 4907.48 | Regulation of crossing signals.
Effective:
October 1, 1953
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly
All gates, bells, or devices erected under the direction of the public utilities commission shall be built within the time, in the manner, and of materials approved by the commission. Such devices so authorized shall be located in the highway or street on one or both sides of the railroad tracks, as the commission deems the public safety requires. Such gates shall be so constructed that when closed they obstruct or prevent passage across such railroad from the side on which a gate is located. Such bell must be so constructed that it will ring before the approach of every train of cars or locomotive within three hundred feet or more of such crossing, and continue to ring until such train or locomotive has reached the crossing. A person shall be in charge of such gate who shall close it at the approach of each train or locomotive and keep it open at all other times. If an automatic bell or other mechanical device is required at such crossing, the railroad shall keep such bell or device in good working order. For every neglect of duty imposed by this section such railroad shall forfeit twenty-five dollars.
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Section 4907.49 | Dangerous crossings.
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 487 - 129th General Assembly
When two or more railroads cross a public highway or street at a dangerous crossing, the expenses incurred in the erection and maintenance of gates, bells, or other devices, and of necessary gatekeepers or flaggers, and apportioned by the public utilities commission as railroad expense, shall be shared equally by the railroads. Chapters 4901., 4903., 4905., 4907., and 4909. of the Revised Code do not prevent the use of automatic bells or other mechanical devices by a railroad at a public crossing not declared dangerous by the public utilities commission, nor do they prevent state, county, township, or municipal officials from entering into an agreement with a railroad to pay all or part of the expense of erecting a warning device. Any funds levied and made available for highways or street purposes may be used to pay the public share of the cost under such an agreement. If a gate is erected or a flagger is stationed and maintained by a railroad, either alone or pursuant to such an agreement, the gate or flagger shall not be abandoned nor an automatic bell or other mechanical device substituted for the gate or flagger, unless the commission consents to the abandonment or substitution.
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Section 4907.50 | Engines or trains may pass crossings without stopping.
Effective:
October 1, 1953
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly
When two or more railroads, or a railroad and an electric railway, erect a system of interlocking works or fixtures at the place where such railroads, or railroad and railway, cross each other at a common grade, or when a railroad erects such works or fixtures at a swing bridge or drawbridge where it crosses a stream, and such works or fixtures render it safe for engines or trains to pass over such crossing or bridge without stopping, such railroads may run engines or trains over such works or fixtures without stopping if such system of interlocking works or fixtures was approved by the public utilities commission, and a plan thereof prepared by such railroads and filed with the commission.
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Section 4907.51 | Unsafe interlocking works or fixtures.
Effective:
October 1, 1953
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly
If in the opinion of the public utilities commission any system of interlocking works or fixtures referred to in section 4907.50 of the Revised Code proves to be unsafe or impracticable, the commission may order than no engines or trains shall pass over any such crossing or bridge without stopping, and the laws regulating the running of engines and trains shall apply. Before such order is made or enforced the commission shall give such railroads opportunity to be heard as to the propriety of the order.
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Section 4907.52 | Safety devices at grade crossings.
Effective:
October 1, 1953
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly
When two railroads, a railroad and an interurban railroad or electric or street railway, two interurban railroads, or a railroad or electric railway and a street or highway cross at grade, if, in the opinion of the public utilities commission, public safety requires protection, the commission, upon its own motion or upon complaint, after notice to the railroads interested and full investigation, may make an order requiring the railroads so intersecting and crossing to install such devices as in the opinion of the commission will properly protect such crossing. The commission may make any other orders regulating the speed and running of trains or of cars and the switching of cars over such crossing or street, and it shall apportion the expense of installation or maintenance of such devices between the railroad companies whose tracks are thus protected.
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Section 4907.53 | Hearing as to necessity of safety device.
Effective:
October 1, 1953
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly
At the time and place named for hearing, unless continued for good cause, the public utilities commission shall try the question of whether a crossing referred to by section 4907.52 of the Revised Code shall be protected by interlocking or other safety devices, and shall give all companies or parties interested an opportunity to be fully heard. After such hearing, the commission shall enter upon a record book or docket kept for that purpose an order granting or denying the petition. If the petition is granted, such order shall prescribe the interlocking or other safety devices for such crossing and all other matters deemed proper for the efficient protection of such crossing, and shall prescribe the proportion of the cost of construction and of the expense of maintaining and operating such device which each company or person concerned shall pay. The order shall also fix the time within which such appliance shall be put in and the time within which such order shall be complied with.
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Section 4907.54 | Compulsory interlocking.
Effective:
October 1, 1953
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly
If the tracks of a railroad or electric railway cross at grade the tracks of a railroad or electric railway previously constructed, the former shall provide interlocking works or other fixtures satisfactory to the public utilities commission at such crossing, and pay the costs of such fixtures and the expenses of installing them. The maintenance and operation of such fixtures shall be apportioned equally between the railroads by the commission. This section does not apply to crossings of sidetracks only.
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Section 4907.55 | Crossing without stopping.
Effective:
October 1, 1953
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly
When interlocking works or other fixtures are constructed and maintained in compliance with law by railroads and electric railways where railroads referred to in section 4907.54 of the Revised Code cross each other, engines, trains, or cars of an electric railway may be run over such crossing without stopping.
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Section 4907.56 | Forfeiture for noncompliance with order.
Effective:
October 1, 1953
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly
A railroad or electric railway refusing or neglecting to comply with an order of the public utilities commission concerning the protection of persons and property from danger at grade crossings of any such railroad over another, or over a swing bridge or drawbridge and at junction points, by providing interlocking works or other fixtures, shall forfeit five hundred dollars per week for each week such railroad refuses or neglects to obey such orders. Such forfeiture shall be recovered in an action in the name of the state, and, when collected, paid into the treasury of the county in which such suit was brought.
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Section 4907.57 | Damage claims.
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 487 - 129th General Assembly
All claims, charges, or demands against a railroad for loss of or damage to property occurring while in the custody of such railroad and unreasonable delay in transportation and delivery, for overcharges upon a shipment, or for any other service in violation of Chapters 4901., 4903., 4905., 4907., and 4909. of the Revised Code, if not paid within sixty days from the date of the filing thereof with such railroad, may be submitted to the public utilities commission by a formal complaint. Such complaint shall be made upon blank forms which the commission shall provide upon demand of the claimant. Such complaint shall be verified as petitions in civil actions and may be accompanied by the sworn statements of any witnesses who have knowledge of any fact material to the inquiry. Upon the filing of such complaint the commission shall forthwith cite the railroad to answer the complaint, and the citation shall be accompanied with a brief statement of the claim. The answer of the railroad shall be filed within three weeks from the service of the citation and shall be verified as answers in civil cases, and may be accompanied with the affidavits of any witnesses having knowledge of facts material to the inquiry. The burden of proof shall be upon the railroad to show that loss or damage to property was not due to its negligence. The railroad to which property is delivered for shipment shall prima facie be liable for loss or damage occurring to such property in transit notwithstanding such property may be delivered to other railroads before reaching its destination. The claim referred to in this section for loss of or damage to property may be made to any carrier over whose lines the lost or damaged property was consigned, and such claimant may at the claimant's option join all of such railroads as parties defendant in the complaint before said commission. The railroad shall furnish the claimant with a copy of its answer and affidavits, and within two weeks from the filing of such answers the claimant may file a reply, with affidavits in support thereof, verified as replies in civil cases. At the expiration of said period of two weeks the commission shall proceed summarily to examine the complaint, answer, reply, and affidavits, and shall determine the existence and validity of the claim presented. If the commission finds in favor of the claimant it shall certify its findings to the clerk of the court of common pleas of the county in which the claimant resides or where the railroad or any of its offices is maintained.
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Section 4907.58 | Immediate trial.
Effective:
October 1, 1953
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly
Within thirty days from the receipt of the findings referred to in section 4907.57 of the Revised Code, by the clerk of the court of common pleas, the railroad may by motion cause the matter to be docketed as a civil action in said court in which case the original pleadings shall be used and the case shall be advanced for immediate trial. If no such motion is filed, the clerk shall enter up the finding of the public utilities commission as a judgment which shall be in all respects treated as a judgment at law with all the incidents thereof and upon which execution may issue as in other cases. If said matter is docketed for trial the action shall proceed as in other civil actions for damages except that upon trial a copy of the findings and order of the commission, duly certified by the secretary of the commission, is competent testimony and is prima-facie evidence of the facts stated in such finds and order, and except that the plaintiff shall not be liable for any costs unless they accrue upon his appeal.
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Section 4907.59 | Counsel for commission.
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 487 - 129th General Assembly
Upon request of the public utilities commission, the attorney general or the prosecuting attorney of the proper county shall aid in an investigation, prosecution, hearing, or trial had under Chapters 4901., 4903., 4905., 4907., and 4909. of the Revised Code, and shall institute and prosecute necessary actions or proceedings for the enforcement of such chapters and of other laws of this state relating to railroads, and for the punishment of all violations of such chapters and such other laws.
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Section 4907.60 | Forfeiture for violation.
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 487 - 129th General Assembly
If a railroad fails to perform a duty enjoined upon it by Chapter 4901., 4903., 4905., 4907., 4909., or 4959. of the Revised Code, or does any act prohibited by any of those chapters, for which failure or act no penalty or forfeiture has been provided by law, or fails to obey a lawful requirement or order made by the public utilities commission or order of any court upon application of the commission, the railroad, except as otherwise specifically provided in section 4905.95 of the Revised Code, shall forfeit into the state treasury not less than one hundred nor more than ten thousand dollars for each violation or failure. In construing and enforcing this section, the act, omission, or failure of any officer, agent, or other person acting for or employed by a railroad, while acting within the scope of the officer's, agent's, or other person's employment, is the act, omission, or failure of the railroad.
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Section 4907.61 | Venue of forfeiture action by attorney general.
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 487 - 129th General Assembly
Except as otherwise specifically provided in sections 4905.96 and 4923.99 of the Revised Code, when the attorney general prosecutes an action for the recovery of a forfeiture provided for in Chapter 4901., 4903., 4905., 4907., 4909., 4921., 4923., or 4959. of the Revised Code, the attorney general may bring the action in the court of common pleas of Franklin county or of any county having jurisdiction of the defendant.
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Section 4907.62 | Punitive damages.
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 487 - 129th General Assembly
If a railroad does, causes, or permits anything prohibited by Chapters 4901., 4903., 4905., 4907., and 4909. of the Revised Code to be done, or omits doing anything required to be done by such chapters, such railroad is liable to the person, firm, or corporation injured thereby in treble the amount of damages sustained in consequence of such violation or omission. A recovery provided by this section shall not affect a recovery by the state of the penalty prescribed for such violation.
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Section 4907.63 | Violation.
Effective:
October 1, 1953
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly
No officer, agent, or employee in an official capacity of a public utility or railroad shall knowingly violate section 4907.43 of the Revised Code, or willfully fail to comply with any lawful order or direction of the public utilities commission made with respect to any public utility or railroad. Each day's continuance of such failure is a separate offense.
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Section 4907.99 | Penalty.
Latest Legislation:
Senate Bill 2 - 121st General Assembly
(A) Whoever violates section 4907.21 of the Revised Code shall be fined not less than one hundred nor more than one thousand dollars. (B) Whoever violates section 4907.22 of the Revised Code shall be fined not less than five hundred nor more than one thousand dollars. (C) Whoever violates section 4907.32 of the Revised Code shall be fined not less than fifty nor more than five hundred dollars. (D) Whoever violates section 4907.35 or 4907.38 of the Revised Code shall be fined not less than fifty nor more than one thousand dollars. (E) Whoever violates section 4907.45 of the Revised Code shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars, imprisoned not more than one year, or both. (F) Whoever violates section 4907.473 of the Revised Code is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. (G) Whoever violates section 4907.63 of the Revised Code is guilty of a felony of the fifth degree.
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