Ohio Lawmakers Aim to Add Golf Carts to Vehicular Homicide Law

House Bill 533 would expand the state's vehicular homicide statute to include golf carts, mopeds, and other non-traditional vehicles.

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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Ohio lawmakers have introduced House Bill 533 to add golf carts, mopeds, scooters, and other under-speed vehicles to the state's vehicular homicide and assault statutes. Currently, prosecutors are unable to charge impaired drivers who cause fatal crashes in these types of vehicles under the existing law, which only covers traditional automobiles. The proposed legislation aims to close this legal loophole as the use of non-traditional vehicles continues to grow, particularly in tourist-heavy communities.

Why it matters

This legislation is important because it addresses a gap in Ohio's criminal code that prevents prosecutors from holding impaired drivers accountable for fatal crashes involving golf carts and other non-traditional vehicles. As these types of vehicles become more common on public roads, especially in areas popular with tourists, ensuring public safety and equal application of the law is crucial.

The details

House Bill 533 would add four new categories of vehicles to Ohio's vehicular homicide and assault statutes: under-speed vehicles (golf carts), motorized bicycles or mopeds, motor-driven cycles or motor scooters, and all-purpose vehicles. Currently, the law only applies to traditional automobiles, meaning impaired drivers who cause deaths in golf carts or similar vehicles can only face up to 9 months in jail, compared to 8-12 years in prison for the same offense in a car.

  • House Bill 533 has been introduced in the Ohio legislature.

The players

House Bill 533

Proposed legislation that would expand Ohio's vehicular homicide and assault statutes to include golf carts, mopeds, scooters, and other non-traditional vehicles.

James VanEerten

The Ottawa County Prosecutor, who has highlighted the need for this legislation due to the prevalence of golf cart use and impaired driving incidents in tourist-heavy areas of Ohio.

Rep. Kevin Miller

A Licking County Republican who has sponsored House Bill 533, stating that it does not create any additional offenses or increase penalties, but rather closes a legal loophole.

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What they’re saying

“Someone driving a golf cart is driving a vehicle for OVI purposes. But if they cause the death of another while operating said golf cart, they cannot be found guilty of manslaughter because it is not a 'vehicle' under Ohio Revised Code.”

— James VanEerten, Ottawa County Prosecutor (cleveland.com)

“It's important to note that HB 533 does not create any additional offenses or increase penalties.”

— Rep. Kevin Miller (cleveland.com)

What’s next

The Ohio legislature will consider and vote on House Bill 533 in the coming months.

The takeaway

This legislation aims to close a legal loophole that has prevented prosecutors from holding impaired drivers accountable for fatal crashes involving golf carts and other non-traditional vehicles, which are becoming increasingly common on public roads, especially in tourist-heavy areas of Ohio.