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Governor Signs Ohio’s New Small Cell Facilities Law, Takes Effect July 31, 2018


May 4, 2018

Todd HuntOn Tuesday, May 2, 2018, Ohio Governor John Kasich signed Substitute House Bill 478, amending Ohio’s right-of-way statute to pave the way for small cell installations associated with increased demand for high-speed, high-capacity wireless communications. The wireless industry will install millions of small cells nationwide as it moves to deploy 5G technology. Sub. H.B. 478 was passed by the Ohio Senate on April 11, 2018 and the House concurred in the Senate’s version the same day.andnbsp;

Based upon the Governor’s signature on May 2, 2018, Sub. H.B. 478 will take effect on July 31, 2018 (90 days later).

Sub. H.B. 478 makes substantial and wide-ranging modifications to the law governing small cell wireless installations in the municipal right
of way. Cities and villages should be mindful of the July 31, 2018 effective date as they prepare for the applications that are to be expected. For an overview of what to expect and how to prepare, please see our article of April 18, 2018, “Ohio Legislature Passes Small Cell Amendments.