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Gov. Bob Taft signed H.B. 25 after it quickly passed through the Senate. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Bob Gibbs, R-Lakeville, permits counties to include regulations in their building codes to protect existing surface and subsurface drainage. Prior to passage of H.B. 25, there was no government oversight of surface or subsurface drainage. Because of increased nonfarm construction in rural areas, excavations for buildings may cut through the drainage tiles or otherwise disrupt drainage patterns of nearby field.

Before a building permit is issued, the drainage pattern is required to be inspected. If the construction negatively impacts drainage, a mitigation plan must be implemented. This may include rerouting of tile or grading the property so that it conforms to existing drainage patterns.

Ohio Farm Bureau supported the bill; it went into effect Oct. 29, 2003.