Lineup Law Gains Momentum

On Thursday at American Legion Buckeye Boys State (ALBBS), Jordan City officially passed a new ordinance known as the “Lineup Law,” designed to reduce delays and improve organization during program activities and public gatherings. The policy sets expectations for how delegates line up and introduces penalties for those who arrive late.

The idea for the law came from early experiences in the program where long waits and late arrivals disrupted schedules and created inefficiencies. Mayor Sam Greenslade, of Jordan City, one of the creators of the law, said the issue became noticeable almost immediately.

“You know, the first couple of days of this program, we spent a lot of time standing in lines, especially when people were late. So, we wanted to lessen that. We wanted to lessen our time spent standing around waiting for other people,” Greenslade said.

He explained that the goal of the law is to encourage punctuality and help delegates respect each other’s time. According to Greenslade, improving organization was a key reason for the policy’s creation.

Under the ordinance, delegates who are late to line up may face a $1,000 fine. Greenslade said the amount was chosen to be serious without being overly harsh

“We wanted it to be enough money to be serious, but not ruinous,” Greenslade said. “We didn’t want to put people in debt because they were late to line up. But we also didn’t want them to, you know, not just throw five bucks away.”

Since the law was passed, Greenslade said it has already influenced behavior, even though no fines have been issued yet. He believes the rule has made delegates more aware of the importance of being on time.

The law has also sparked discussion among delegates and officials, with some suggesting alternative fine structures or adjustments. One proposal being considered in other governments would charge delegates $17.50 for every minute they are late to line up. While that proposal has generated interest, Jordan City has not adopted the per-minute fine structure.

The idea has spread beyond Jordan City, with several other cities and counties considering or adopting similar lineup regulations. Supporters believe the policies help improve efficiency, accountability, and respect for schedules throughout Buckeye Boys’ State.

Despite the debate, Greenslade said the law is still intended to promote responsibility and efficiency. He added that there are still improvements to be made in how the system is enforced, especially regarding how fines are collected and managed.

Overall, Greenslade emphasized that the purpose of the Lineup Law is to build better habits and improve respect for schedules. As more local governments consider similar measures, the law may continue to influence how delegates approach punctuality and organization during the remainder of the session.