COLUMBUS, Ohio – A bill critics say would make red-light cameras all but worthless won approval in the Ohio House Wednesday.
The measure requires a law enforcement officer to be present for tickets to be issued from traffic cameras. The House passed it Wednesday on a 58-31 vote.
The Senate approved an earlier version and would have to sign off on House changes before it could go to the governor.
After surging in use, traffic cameras have faced increasing pushback, including legal challenges to their constitutionality and criticism that they’re nothing more than money-makers for cities. Voters in Cleveland and one of its suburbs were the latest to ban the devices in November.
Some police departments have expressed opposition, saying the cameras lead drivers to behave more responsibly and increase traffic safety.
A bill that is headed to the governor would relax some requirements for concealed carry permits and let hunters use noise suppressors under certain conditions.
The proposal cleared the Legislature Wednesday. It would let licensed hunters use the noise suppressors while hunting certain birds and other wild game, including squirrels, rabbits and white-tailed deer. Supporters say such suppressors help protect hunters’ hearing by diminishing the sound of the muzzle blast, but they don’t silence the gun.
Opponents say quieter weapons are not as safe and are easier to use illegally.
The bill also would reduce the training time to get a concealed weapons permit from a minimum of 12 hours to eight, including two hours devoted to range time and live-fire training.
Gov. John Kasich is expected to sign it.
He is also expected to sign a bill that would allow cats, dogs and other family pets to be included within the scope of protection orders obtained by victims of domestic violence or other offenses.
Under the bipartisan measure, courts could issue orders that keep alleged offenders from threatening or interfering with the care of victims’ animals.
The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Mike Skindell (D-Lakewood), has said the proposal ensures abusers don’t focus their rage on pets as victims seek protection. It will help empower victims to seek safety from volatile environments without worrying about their pets’ well-being, he said.