Ohio Rev. Code § 5501.51 (2026)

(A) The state shall reimburse a utility for the cost of relocation of utility facilities necessitated by the construction of a highway project only in the event that the utility can evidence a vested interest in the nature of a fee interest, an easement interest, or a lesser estate in the real property it occupies in the event that the utility possesses a vested interest in such property. The utility shall present evidence satisfactory to the state substantiating the cost of relocation. The director may audit all financial records which the director determines necessary to verify such actual costs.

(B) The director of transportation may establish and enforce such rules and procedures as the director may determine to be necessary to assure consistency governing any and all aspects of the cost of utility relocations. The director may adopt such amendments to such rules as are necessary and within the guidelines of this section.

(C) As used in this section:

(1) "Cost of relocation" includes the actual cost paid by a utility directly attributable to relocation after deducting any increase in the value of the new facility and any salvage value derived from the old facility.

(2) "Utility" includes all of the following:

(a) Publicly, privately, and cooperatively owned utilities that are subject to the authority of the public utilities commission of Ohio;

(b) A cable operator as defined in the "Cable Communications Policy Act of 1984," 98 Stat. 2780, 47 U.S.C. 522, as amended by the "Telecommunications Act of 1996," 110 Stat. 56, 47 U.S.C. 151, and includes the provision of other information or telecommunications services, or both;

(c) An electric cooperative and a municipal electric utility, both as defined in section 4928.01 of the Revised Code;

(d) County-owned or county-operated water and sewer facilities.