Ohio House Passes Bills to Designate Local Highways, Create the Ohio River Commission

COLUMBUS-The Ohio House of Representatives today concurred on Senate amendments to House Bill 81, legislation to designate highways throughout the state in honor of local heroes, announced bill sponsor, State Rep. Don Jones (R-Freeport).

Jones spearheaded the following provisions:

• Designates a portion of State Route 39 in Carroll County as Sheriff Dale R. Williams Memorial Highway. Sheriff Williams served as a police officer since 1985 and the sheriff for Carroll County for 18 years, until he passed in 2022.
• Designates a portion of I-77 in Noble County as Staff Sergeant George P. Mizik (USMC) Memorial Highway. Staff Sgt. Mizik served with the U.S. Marine Corps in World War II and was a Purple Heart recipient.
• Designates a portion of State Route 7 in Washington County as Specialist Five Frederick Wayne Taylor Memorial Highway. Specialist Taylor served in the U.S. Army's 25th Infantry Division in the Vietnam War, during which he was killed in action on May 15, 1968.

"These highways are a small way to honor and remember the great legacies left behind by these heroes," said Jones.

House Bill 81 now heads to the Governor for a signature.

The Ohio House also passed House Bill 469 sponsored by Jones. This legislation will create the 11-member Ohio River Commission within the Department of Development to promote economic development, marine cargo terminal operations, and travel and tourism on the Ohio River and its tributaries.

"The Ohio River is undoubtedly one of Ohio's most valuable assets," said Jones. "Creation of the Ohio River Commission will allow the State of Ohio to protect and utilize an essential asset to maximize the benefit to all Ohioans."

House Bill 469 awaits consideration by the Ohio Senate.