Ohio’s key legislation? Banning tanning, counterfeit airbags and naming a state poet

By Maggie Thurber | for Ohio Watchdog

When you take a closer look at what Ohio legislators spend their time regulating and criminalizing you may wonder just how necessary some of the bills pending in General Assembly really are.

For instance, H.B. 177, which prohibits the manufacturing, sale or installation of a counterfeit or nonfunctional air bag, was passed by the House and is now pending in the Senate.

“Air bags are a critical component in vehicle safety,” said Rep. Dorothy Pelanda, R-Marysville, the sponsor of the bill. “Outlawing the manufacture or sale of air bags that do not meet official standards will aid in ensuring the health and safety of Ohio’s motorists.”

How big is the problem?

The issue affects less than 0.1 percent of the U.S. vehicle fleet, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s consumer safety advisory.

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