The Ohio Senate on Oct. 7, 2025, passed multiple pieces of legislation by unanimous roll call, including a change to how marijuana-impaired driving is proved in OVI prosecutions, a requirement that hospitals provide opioid reversal drugs and information at discharge under certain conditions, a highway designation honoring a fallen Army captain, and a specialty license plate to benefit COSI (Center of Science and Industry) in Columbus.

Why it matters: The measures affect criminal-justice evidence standards on impaired driving, hospital discharge procedures for patients showing signs of opioid use disorder, and state recognition/funding for local institutions. Each measure passed with a recorded roll call showing 27 yeas and 0 nays.

Senate action and debate

Senate Bill 55 (OVI evidence for marijuana). Senator Manning, sponsor of substitute Senate Bill 55, described the bill as an update to Ohio’s OVI statutes to improve how marijuana impairment is evaluated in driving cases, saying the bill responds to scientific developments about active metabolites and their relation to recent use. The bill creates inferences based on specified thresholds (the sponsor described draft thresholds of about 25 nanograms for urine and 5 nanograms for oral fluid for an active metabolite) and retains a per se blood level for marijuana where blood testing is available. Senator Hicks Hudson spoke in support, saying the change gives “clearer direction to the criminal justice, to our law enforcement officers, to the courts.” The Senate passed the bill by roll call, 27–0.

Senate Bill 137 (hospital provision of opioid reversal drugs). Senator Johnson, sponsor of the measure reported to the floor as Senate Bill 137, described the bill as a “gateway to recovery.” Under the bill as explained on the floor, hospitals would provide a dose of an opioid reversal drug on discharge to patients who show signs or symptoms of opioid use disorder, along with instructions for use, harm-reduction information, and referrals to local treatment and peer supports. Johnson cited statewide overdose statistics discussed on the floor (more than 3,600 opioid overdose deaths in Ohio in 2023) and stated that, according to the Naloxone Project Ohio chapter, only about 42% of Ohio hospitals participate in naloxone distribution. Leader Antonio also spoke in support, describing naloxone distribution at discharge as an important harm-reduction step and a sound use of Medicaid resources. The Senate passed the bill by roll call, 27–0.

House Bill 171 (memorial highway designation). The chamber considered House Bill 171 to designate a portion of State Route 28 in Clermont County as the Corporal Louis John Speedle Memorial Highway. Senator Johnson spoke at length about Captain John Speedle’s military service, injuries, honors and local ties before urging a favorable vote. The Senate passed the bill by roll call, 27–0.

Senate Bill 189 (COSI specialty license plate). Senator Craig urged support for Senate Bill 189 to create a $25 specialty license plate to support the Center of Science and Industry in Columbus, noting COSI’s annual attendance (the sponsor said more than 666,000 visitors) and national recognition. Proceeds from the plate would support COSI’s operations and educational programming. The Senate passed the bill by roll call, 27–0.

Votes at a glance

- House Bill 171 — Designate portion of State Route 28 in Clermont County as the Corporal Louis John Speedle Memorial Highway. Outcome: Passed; roll call: 27 yeas, 0 nays. (Sponsor comments on Speedle’s biography and military honors.)

- Senate Bill 55 — Amend Ohio Revised Code sections related to operating a vehicle or watercraft under the influence of marijuana; revise admissibility/inference standards for metabolites and adopt specified thresholds for urine and oral fluid with a per se blood level retained. Outcome: Passed; roll call: 27 yeas, 0 nays. (Sponsor: Senator Manning.)

- Senate Bill 137 — Require hospitals to provide an opioid reversal drug dose and discharge information to patients who show signs of opioid use disorder; encourage supply through Department of Behavioral Health stockpiles and note Medicaid/insurer coverage of doses. Outcome: Passed; roll call: 27 yeas, 0 nays. (Sponsor: Senator Johnson.)

- Senate Bill 189 — Create a COSI specialty license plate with $25 fee proceeds supporting COSI operations and programs. Outcome: Passed; roll call: 27 yeas, 0 nays. (Sponsor: Senator Craig.)

Other business

The journal of the previous day was approved without objection. The chamber heard ceremonial introductions and recognitions (including the 2025 State Special Olympics volleyball champion Clark County Tigers and a resolution honoring Jim Charters of Dayton for volunteer service). The Senate received committee reports recommending substitute bills for additional consideration and received messages from the House indicating House Bills 57 and 144 had been signed by the Speaker. A group of bills (Senate Bills 282–290, among others) were introduced and referred for first consideration; details for those introductions were not debated on the floor.

Meeting context and next steps

Roll calls on the passed measures were recorded as 27 yeas and 0 nays under the Senate rules that permit the roll to remain open for members not yet voting; the chair announced each bill "passed and entitled." Several bills on first reading were referred to standing committees for further consideration. The Senate recessed to allow outstanding votes to be cast and announced committee meeting times for the day.

Ending note: The Senate adjourned its session pending further business and committee activity.