Bill InformationCREATE NEW SCHOOL FINANCING SYSTEM
(CALLENDER J, SWEENEY B)To create a new school financing system for fiscal year 2022 and each fiscal year thereafter.
CURRENT STATUS3/1/2021 - House Finance Primary and Secondary Education Subcommittee, (Fourth Hearing)
REGARDS BROADBAND EXPANSION
(CARFAGNA R, STEWART B)Regarding broadband expansion, including access to electric cooperative easements and facilities, to make an appropriation, and to declare an emergency.
CURRENT STATUS 5/17/2021 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR; eff. immediately
MODIFY LAWS GOVERNING CERTAIN PROFESSIONS DUE TO COVID-19
(ROEMER B)To amend Section 30 of H.B. 197 of the 133rd General Assembly to modify the laws governing certain health professionals and educator preparation programs due to COVID-19 and other circumstances and to modify the electric utility laws regarding energy efficiency programs; to amend the version of section 4729.92 of the Revised Code that is scheduled to take effect on October 9, 2021, to continue the changes to that section on and after that date; and to declare an emergency.
CURRENT STATUS 5/14/2021 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR; eff. Immediately, Sections 3 and 4 eff. 10/9/21
MODIFY THE CAMPAIGN FINANCE LAW
(GRENDELL D, FRAIZER M)To modify the campaign finance law and to declare an emergency.
CURRENT STATUS 4/15/2021 - House Government Oversight, (Second Hearing)
HALT DEBT COLLECTION DURING COVID-19
(MIRANDA J, INGRAM C)To halt the collection of all debt owed to any state institution of higher education or hospital operated by a state institution of higher education, to freeze the accrual of interest and collection of fees on all outstanding debt owed to those entities, and to declare an emergency.
CURRENT STATUS 3/2/2021 - House Civil Justice, (Second Hearing)
STATE PROGRAMS APPROPRIATIONS
(WEST T, ROEMER B)To amend Sections 265.220, 307.270, 343.30, and 701.70 of H.B. 110 of the 134th General Assembly, Sections 219.10 as subsequently amended, 221.10 as subsequently amended, 221.13 as subsequently amended, and 237.13 as subsequently amended of H.B. 597 of the 134th General Assembly, and Sections 207.15, 221.10, 221.13, 223.10, 223.15, 237.10, and 237.13 of H.B. 687 of the 134th General Assembly and to repeal Section 715.20 of H.B. 110 of the 134th General Assembly to make appropriations and to provide authorization and conditions for the operation of state programs.
CURRENT STATUS 1/6/2023 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR; eff. immediately
INTERNAL REVENUE CODE CHANGES
(ROEMER B, PAVLIGA G)To expressly incorporate changes in the Internal Revenue Code since March 27, 2020, into Ohio law and to declare an emergency.
CURRENT STATUS 2/9/2021 - House Ways and Means, (First Hearing)
LEGAL MALPRACTICE ACTIONS
(HILLYER B)To shorten the period of limitations for actions upon a contract; to make changes to the borrowing statute pertaining to applicable periods of limitations; and to establish a statute of repose for a legal malpractice action.
CURRENT STATUS 2/4/2021 - Referred to Committee House Civil Justice
REVIEW PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTIONS
(HOOPS J)To amend Section 130.12 of H.B. 110 of the 134th General Assembly and Section 8 of S.B. 18 of the 134th General Assembly as subsequently amended to revise the tax laws and to make certain operating appropriations for the biennium ending June 30, 2023, and capital appropriations for the biennium ending June 30, 2024.
CURRENT STATUS 1/2/2023 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR; eff. immediately
INCREASE STATE MINIMUM WAGE
(KELLY B, JARRELLS D)To increase the state minimum wage.
CURRENT STATUS 11/29/2022 - House Commerce and Labor, (First Hearing)
ENACT FY22-23 TRANSPORTATION BUDGET
(OELSLAGER S)To make appropriations for programs related to transportation and public safety for the biennium beginning July 1, 2021, and ending June 30, 2023, and to provide authorization and conditions for the operation of those programs.
CURRENT STATUS 3/31/2021 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR; eff. immediately
ENACT FY22-23 WORKERS' COMPENSATION BUDGET
(OELSLAGER S)To make appropriations for the Bureau of Workers' Compensation for the biennium beginning July 1, 2021, and ending June 30, 2023, to provide authorization and conditions for the operation of the Bureau's programs, and to make changes to the Workers' Compensation Law.
CURRENT STATUS 6/29/2021 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR; eff. 7/1/21
ENACT FY22-23 INDUSTRIAL COMMISSION BUDGET
(OELSLAGER S)To make appropriations for the Industrial Commission for the biennium beginning July 1, 2021, and ending June 30, 2023, and to provide authorization and conditions for the operation of Commission programs.
CURRENT STATUS 6/2/2021 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR; eff. 7/1/21
AUTHORIZE TAX CREDIT FOR CAREGIVER EXPENSES
(RUSSO A, BOYD J)To authorize a refundable tax credit for certain expenses incurred by caregivers.
CURRENT STATUS 5/11/2021 - House Ways and Means, (First Hearing)
BONUS DEPRECIATION ADJUSTMENTS FOR CERTAIN TAXPAYERS
(ROEMER B)To temporarily suspend provisions relating to bonus depreciation adjustments for a taxpayer with a federal net operating loss.
CURRENT STATUS 5/25/2021 - House Ways and Means, (Second Hearing)
TAXES-FARMERS, TIFS, VEHICLE SHOWS
(MANCHESTER S, LIGHTBODY M)To temporarily allow income tax credits for beginning farmers who participate in a financial management program and for businesses that sell or rent agricultural land, livestock, facilities, or equipment to beginning farmers, to modify the law governing certain tax increment financing arrangements, to alter the types of vehicles that may be purchased at a motor vehicle show, and to permit, for a limited time, the abatement of unpaid taxes, penalties, and interest for certain municipal property.
CURRENT STATUS 4/18/2022 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR; eff. 7/18/22
OPERATING BUDGET
(OELSLAGER S)To make operating appropriations for the biennium beginning July 1, 2021, and ending June 30, 2023, to levy taxes, and to provide authorization and conditions for the operation of state programs.
CURRENT STATUS 7/1/2021 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR; effective 7/1/21
EQUALIZE PASS-THROUGH ENTITY WITHHOLDING
(ROEMER B, YOUNG B)To equalize the pass-through entity withholding and the business income tax rate.
CURRENT STATUS 2/23/2021 - House Ways and Means, (First Hearing)
REGARDING PROPERTY VALUES
(MERRIN D)To require local governments that contest property values to formally pass an authorizing resolution for each contest and to notify property owners.
CURRENT STATUS 4/21/2022 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR; eff. 7/21/22
MODIFY MUNICIPAL INCOME TAX RULES - COVID WFH
(JORDAN K, EDWARDS J)To amend Section 29 of H.B. 197 of the 133rd General Assembly to modify municipal income tax employer withholding rules for COVID-19-related work-from-home employees.
CURRENT STATUS 6/2/2021 - Referred to Committee Senate Ways and Means
ALLOW TEMPORARY TAX CREDIT FOR SALE OF CERTAIN MOTOR FUEL
(MCCLAIN R)To temporarily authorize a nonrefundable tax credit for the retail sale of high-ethanol blend motor fuel.
CURRENT STATUS 2/15/2022 - Senate Ways and Means, (First Hearing)
PROVIDE RENT, UTILITY ASSISTANCE
(OELSLAGER S)To provide rent and utility assistance and to make an appropriation.
CURRENT STATUS 5/11/2021 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR; eff. immediately
UNEMPLOYMENT DEBT
(FRAIZER M, LOYCHIK M)To remit funds from the State Fiscal Recovery Fund to repay unemployment advances, to provide funds to support improvements at pediatric behavioral health care facilities, to require the Development Services Agency to establish the Water and Sewer Quality Program, and to make appropriations.
CURRENT STATUS 6/29/2021 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR; eff. immediately
SUPPORT PANDEMIC RECOVERY
(CUTRONA A, SWEARINGEN D)To make appropriations to support recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
CURRENT STATUS 12/23/2021 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR; eff. 12/23/21
SCHOOL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
(BIRD A, RICHARDSON T)To provide assistance to schools and other entities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and to make an appropriation.
CURRENT STATUS 6/2/2021 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR; eff. Immediately
AUTHORIZE INCOME TAX DEDUCTION FOR CERTAIN CAPITAL GAINS
(CROSS J, LANESE L)To authorize an income tax deduction for capital gains received by investors in certain Ohio-based venture capital operating companies.
CURRENT STATUS 3/24/2021 - House Economic and Workforce Development, (First Hearing)
ALLOW GOVERNMENTS TO USE BLOCKCHAIN
(CARFAGNA R, FRAIZER M)To allow a governmental entity to utilize distributed ledger technology, including blockchain technology.
CURRENT STATUS 12/1/2021 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR; eff. 3/2/22
FIRST-TIME HOME BUYER SAVINGS ACT
(SWEARINGEN D, WILKIN S)To enact the First-time Home Buyer Savings Act, authorizing income tax deductions for contributions to and earnings on savings accounts designated for the purchase of a home.
CURRENT STATUS 12/15/2021 - Referred to Committee Senate Ways and Means
EARNINGS, DEDUCTIONS STATEMENTS
(KELLY B, LIPPS S)To require an employer to provide earnings and deductions statements to each of the employer's employees.
CURRENT STATUS 10/27/2021 - Senate Small Business and Economic Opportunity, (First Hearing)
INCOME TAX CREDIT - TRAINING COMMERCIAL VEHICLE OPERATOR
(STOLTZFUS R, CREECH R)To authorize a temporary income tax credit for an employer's expenses to train a commercial vehicle operator.
CURRENT STATUS 3/15/2022 - Senate Ways and Means, (First Hearing)
REMOVE CAP FOR NONECONOMIC LOSS - RAPE VICTIMS
(BOGGS K, RUSSO A)To remove the cap on damages for noneconomic loss when a victim of rape or assault brings a tort action.
CURRENT STATUS 4/27/2021 - House Civil Justice, (First Hearing)
OHIO FAIRNESS ACT
(HILLYER B, SKINDELL M)To enact the Ohio Fairness Act to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity or expression, to add mediation as an informal method that the Ohio Civil Rights Commission may use, and to uphold existing religious exemptions under Ohio's Civil Rights Law.
CURRENT STATUS 11/29/2022 - House Commerce and Labor, (First Hearing)
BUSINESS FAIRNESS ACT
(WILKIN S, CROSS J)To enact The Business Fairness Act.
CURRENT STATUS 12/1/2021 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR; eff. 3/2/22
GRANT INCOME TAX CREDITS TO EMERGENCY VOLUNTEERS
(EDWARDS J, HALL T)To grant income tax credits to persons who serve as volunteer peace officers, firefighters, or emergency medical service technicians.
CURRENT STATUS 3/8/2022 - Referred to Committee House Ways and Means
STATE-ADMINISTERED MUNICIPAL NET PROFIT TAXES
(ROEMER B)To make changes related to the state administration of municipal net profits taxes and the municipal taxation of retirement benefits.
CURRENT STATUS 11/8/2021 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR; eff. 2/7/22
REPEAL THE COMMERCIAL ACTIVITY TAX
(GROSS J, MCCLAIN R)To repeal the commercial activity tax with a five-year phase-out.
CURRENT STATUS 5/24/2022 - House Ways and Means, (Third Hearing)
VACCINE CHOICE ACT
(GROSS J)To authorize an individual to decline a vaccination and to name this act the Vaccine Choice and Anti-Discrimination Act.
CURRENT STATUS 8/24/2021 - House Health, (Sixth Hearing)
TAX CREDIT FOR CERTAIN CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS
(POWELL J, MCCLAIN R)To authorize a nonrefundable income tax credit for contributions to certain charitable organizations.
CURRENT STATUS 5/4/2021 - House Ways and Means, (First Hearing)
REGARDS PROOF OF COVID-19 VACCINATIONS
(CUTRONA A)Regarding proof of COVID-19 vaccinations.
CURRENT STATUS 5/18/2021 - BILL AMENDED, House Health, (First Hearing)
MODIFY TAX RULE FOR EMPLOYEES OF TEMPORARY WORKSITE
(SMITH M, SOBECKI L)To amend Section 29 of H.B. 197 of the 133rd General Assembly to modify the municipal income tax withholding rule for employees working at a temporary worksite.
CURRENT STATUS 4/22/2021 - Referred to Committee House Ways and Means
OHIO ELECTION SECURITY, MODERNIZATION ACT
(SEITZ B, RAY S)To modify the law governing absent voting, to make other changes to the Election Law, and to make an appropriation.
CURRENT STATUS 12/12/2022 - REPORTED OUT AS AMENDED, House Government Oversight, (Sixth Hearing)
TAX CREDIT FOR EDUCATION EXPENSES
(FOWLER S)To authorize a personal income tax credit for certain primary and secondary education expenses.
CURRENT STATUS 6/15/2021 - House Ways and Means, (First Hearing)
CHANGE UNCLAIMED FUNDS LAW
(MERRIN D)To make changes to the Unclaimed Funds Law.
CURRENT STATUS 3/29/2022 - Senate Finance, (First Hearing)
INDEX HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION AMOUNTS
(STEPHENS J, LARE J)To index the homestead exemption amounts to inflation.
CURRENT STATUS 10/12/2021 - House Ways and Means, (First Hearing)
EMPLOYER-MANDATED COVID VACCINATION INJURY
(EDWARDS J)To exempt an injury or disability caused by an employer-mandated COVID-19 vaccination from the Workers' Compensation Law and to allow the employee to sue the employer for damages.
CURRENT STATUS 8/24/2021 - Introduced
REQUIRE CERTAIN TAX-RELATED ADDRESSES PUBLISHED ONLINE
(STOLTZFUS R, ROEMER B)To require mailing addresses to which certain tax complaints and appeals are filed to be published online.
CURRENT STATUS 10/26/2021 - House Ways and Means, (Second Hearing)
COVID-19 VACCINE - QUALIFIED IMMUNITIES
(KOEHLER K)To prohibit a political subdivision, public official, public school, state agency, or state institution of higher education from taking certain actions related to the COVID-19 vaccine, to codify the qualified civil immunities under H.B. 606 of the 133rd General Assembly permanently, to repeal section 3792.05 of the Revised Code on the date that is two years after the effective date of that section, and to declare an emergency.
CURRENT STATUS 9/20/2021 - Introduced
VACCINE REQUIREMENTS
(CARFAGNA R, SEITZ B)To address COVID-19 vaccine requirements for employees and students; to extend certain timelines for qualified civil immunity and expand immunity to include hearing aid dealers and hearing aid fitters; to authorize emergency medical technicians to administer COVID-19 tests; to expressly cover COVID-19 vaccine injuries under the workers' compensation system; and to repeal sections 3792.05, 3792.06, 3792.07, and 3792.08 of the Revised Code on June 30, 2023.
CURRENT STATUS 10/13/2021 - Bills for Third Consideration; (Pending Committee Report)
WFH EMPLOYEES
(LAMPTON B)Regarding workers' compensation for employees who work from home and other changes to the Workers' Compensation Law.
CURRENT STATUS 6/24/2022 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR; Eff. 9/23/22
ESTABLISH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS
(OELSLAGER S)To declare the General Assembly's intent to enact legislation establishing congressional district boundaries for the state based on the 2020 decennial census.
CURRENT STATUS 11/12/2021 - , (Second Hearing)
TAX FRAUD STUDY COMMISSION
(CUTRONA A, EDWARDS J)To create a Tax Fraud Study Commission to study and make recommendations for preventing income tax fraud.
CURRENT STATUS 4/6/2022 - Referred to Committee Senate Ways and Means
BAD DEBTS - CIGARETTE, VAPOR PRODUCT TAXES
(CROSS J, ROEMER B)Regarding the deduction and recovery of bad debts for cigarette and tobacco and vapor products taxes, the taxation of certain vapor product manufacturers and importers, and local regulation of tobacco products and alternative nicotine products.
CURRENT STATUS 1/5/2023 - VETOED BY GOVERNOR
HIGHER ED STUDENT FINANCIAL AID, INTERN WAGES
(CROSS J, DENSON S)To authorize tax incentives for higher education intern and graduate wages, to make other changes regarding higher education student financial aid, and to make an appropriation.
CURRENT STATUS 5/24/2022 - Re-Referred to Committee
TAX EXEMPTION - SALE OF OWNERSHIP INTEREST
(HOOPS J, RIEDEL C)To exempt from income tax certain gains from the sale of an ownership interest in a business.
CURRENT STATUS 6/24/2022 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR; Eff. 9/23/22
MUNICIPAL INCOME TAX FILINGS
(ROEMER B, LANESE L)To modify the law regarding extensions for filing municipal income tax returns and to limit penalties for late filings.
CURRENT STATUS 4/6/2022 - Referred to Committee Senate Ways and Means
FILING FALSE CLAIMS WITH STATE
(CROSSMAN J, HICKS-HUDSON P)Regarding filing false or fraudulent claims with the state and defrauding the state of money or property.
CURRENT STATUS 11/15/2022 - House Civil Justice, (Second Hearing)
ALLOW VIRTUAL MEETINGS
(KOEHLER K, KELLY B)To provide temporary authority, expiring July 1, 2022, for members of a public body to meet by means of teleconference or video conference, and to declare an emergency.
CURRENT STATUS 2/15/2022 - Referred to Committee House Government Oversight
NONPROFIT CORPORATION LAW
(SWEARINGEN D)To amend the Nonprofit Corporation Law.
CURRENT STATUS 12/13/2022 - REPORTED OUT AS AMENDED, Senate Judiciary, (Third Hearing)
TAX CREDIT FOR AFFORDABLE RENTAL HOUSING
(HOOPS J, PAVLIGA G)To authorize a nonrefundable tax credit for the construction or rehabilitation of affordable rental housing.
CURRENT STATUS 12/1/2022 - House Families, Aging and Human Services, (Third Hearing)
UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION LAW
(FRAIZER M, MERRIN D)To make changes to the Unemployment Compensation Law and to make an appropriation.
CURRENT STATUS 3/16/2022 - House Finance, (First Hearing)
UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS TAX DEDUCTION
(MILLER J, SOBECKI L)To allow an income tax deduction for up to $10,200 in unemployment benefits received in 2021.
CURRENT STATUS 11/30/2022 - House Ways and Means, (First Hearing)
CAPITAL REAPPROPRIATIONS
(OELSLAGER S)To revise the law regarding priority for classroom facilities projects for which the prior conditional approval lapsed and to make capital reappropriations for the biennium ending June 30, 2024.
CURRENT STATUS 4/1/2022 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR; eff. 7/1/22
PUBLIC SAFETY FACTOR IN SETTING BAIL
(LARE J, SWEARINGEN D)To add public safety as a factor in setting bail.
CURRENT STATUS 5/31/2022 - Re-Referred to Committee
PERSONAL INCOME TAX JOINT FILER CREDIT
(ROEMER B, YOUNG T)To modify the computation of the personal income tax joint filer credit.
CURRENT STATUS 5/24/2022 - House Ways and Means, (First Hearing)
TAX TRANSPARENCY ACT
(YOUNG T)To require local governments to provide certain information to residents regarding proposed property and income tax levies and to name this act the Tax Transparency Act.
CURRENT STATUS 5/24/2022 - House Ways and Means, (First Hearing)
DECLARE RACISM PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS
(HOWSE S, CRAWLEY E)To declare racism a public health crisis and to ask the governor to establish a working group to promote racial equity in Ohio.
CURRENT STATUS 6/23/2021 - House State and Local Government, (First Hearing)
REPEAL STATE INCOME TAX WITHIN A DECADE
(BRINKMAN T)To declare the General Assembly's intention to repeal the state individual income tax within a decade.
CURRENT STATUS 2/15/2022 - House Ways and Means, (First Hearing)
CA: LOCAL ELECTIONS
(EDWARDS J, SEITZ B)Proposing to amend Section 1 of Article V, Section 3 of Article X, and Section 3 of Article XVIII of the Constitution of the State of Ohio to prohibit local governments from allowing persons who lack the qualifications of an elector to vote in local elections.
CURRENT STATUS 6/1/2022 - ADOPTED BY SENATE; Vote 32-0
FINANCIAL LITERACY EDUATION, SUBSTITUTE TEACHER REQUIREMENTS
(WILSON S, MCCOLLEY R)Relating to teaching financial literacy in high school, to provide discretion regarding educational requirements of substitute teachers for the 2021-2022 school year, and to declare an emergency.
CURRENT STATUS 10/28/2021 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR; eff. 10/28/21
REDUCE REGULATIONS, ELECTION FUNDING
(MCCOLLEY R, ROEGNER K)To limit regulatory restrictions in administrative rules, to make various technical and
corrective changes to the liquor laws, to amend the version of section 111.15 of
the Revised Code that is scheduled to take effect September 30, 2024, to continue
the limitations on and after that date, and to make an appropriation.
CURRENT STATUS 3/10/2022 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR; Appropriations language eff. 3/10/22, Statutory language eff. 6/8/22
SHORTEN PERIOD OF LIMITATIONS-CONTRACTS
(LANG G)To shorten the period of limitations for actions upon a contract; to make changes to the borrowing statute pertaining to applicable periods of limitations; and to establish a statute of repose for a legal malpractice action.
CURRENT STATUS 3/11/2021 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR; eff. 6/16/21
FISCAL OFFICERS-LIABILITY
(WILSON S)To change the circumstances in which certain fiscal officers may be held liable for a loss of public funds.
CURRENT STATUS 6/14/2022 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR; Eff. 9/13/22
INTERNAL REVENUE CODE
(ROEGNER K, SCHAFFER T)To expressly incorporate changes in the Internal Revenue Code since March 27, 2020, into Ohio law, to exclude certain loan amounts forgiven under federal law from the commercial activity tax, to authorize a commercial activity tax exclusion for Bureau of Workers' Compensation dividends paid to employers, and to declare an emergency.
CURRENT STATUS 3/31/2021 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR; eff. immediately
FIRST-TIME HOME BUYERS
(GAVARONE T, PETERSON B)To enact the First-time Home Buyer Savings Act, authorizing income tax deductions for contributions to and earnings on savings accounts designated for the purchase of a home.
CURRENT STATUS 10/19/2021 - Senate Ways and Means, (Fifth Hearing)
529 TAX DEDUCTION
(HOTTINGER J, BRENNER A)To expand the income tax deduction allowed for contributions to Ohio's 529 education savings plans to include contributions to 529 plans established by other states.
CURRENT STATUS 1/2/2023 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR; eff. 4/3/23
TAX CREDIT-PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
(SCHAFFER T)To allow an income tax credit for law enforcement officials and volunteer firefighters who purchase safety or protective items to be used in the course of official law enforcement or firefighting activities.
CURRENT STATUS 10/5/2021 - Senate Ways and Means, (Third Hearing)
TAX INDUCEMENTS-CERTAIN BUSINESSES
(PETERSON B, KUNZE S)To enhance state and local tax inducements for businesses making substantial fixed asset and employment investments and their suppliers.
CURRENT STATUS 2/23/2021 - Senate Ways and Means, (Third Hearing)
OVERTIME PAY-EXEMPTIONS
(BRENNER A, PETERSON B)To except traveling to and from a worksite and performing certain routine tasks from the overtime pay requirement and to prohibit opt-out class actions for overtime violations.
CURRENT STATUS 4/6/2022 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR; eff. 7/6/22
INCREASE MINIMUM WAGE
(THOMAS C, CRAIG H)To increase the state minimum wage and to allow municipalities, townships, and counties to establish higher minimum wage requirements.
CURRENT STATUS 3/10/2021 - Senate Workforce and Higher Education, (First Hearing)
COMMERCE AND TAXATION
(HACKETT R)Relating to commerce and taxation.
CURRENT STATUS 3/23/2021 - Senate Financial Institutions and Technology, (Third Hearing)
PROHIBIT ASKING JOB APPLICANT'S SALARY HISTORY
(MAHARATH T)To prohibit employers from seeking a prospective employee's wage or salary history.
CURRENT STATUS 3/17/2021 - Senate Small Business and Economic Opportunity, (First Hearing)
JUNETEENTH-LEGAL HOLIDAY
(CRAIG H, BRENNER A)To establish the nineteenth of June as Juneteenth, a legal holiday for which government employees receive paid leave.
CURRENT STATUS 2/24/2021 - Referred to Committee Senate Government Oversight and Reform
REQUIRE VOTE-COUNTY SALES TAX INCREASE
(ANTANI N)To require voter approval of any increase in the rate of a county sales tax.
CURRENT STATUS 9/21/2021 - Senate Ways and Means, (First Hearing)
NON-RECOURSE CIVIL LITIGATION
(WILSON S)To amend the law regarding the non-recourse civil litigation advance business.
CURRENT STATUS 3/1/2022 - Senate Judiciary, (Third Hearing)
MUNICIPAL INCOME TAX-WORK FROM HOME
(ROEGNER K)To modify municipal income tax employer withholding rules for COVID-19-related work-from-home employees
CURRENT STATUS 5/12/2021 - Senate Ways and Means, (First Hearing)
SALES TAX EXEMPTION
(ANTANI N)To exempt from sales and use tax things used primarily to move completed manufactured products or general merchandise.
CURRENT STATUS 9/21/2021 - Senate Ways and Means, (First Hearing)
PANDEMIC RELIEF-BARS, RESTAURANTS, LODGING
(HUFFMAN S, ROMANCHUK M)To provide grants to bars and restaurants and the lodging industry and to make an appropriation.
CURRENT STATUS 5/17/2021 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR; eff. immediately
PANDEMIC RELIEF-BUSINESS, CHILD CARE, VETERANS
(MANNING N, RULLI M)To provide grants to businesses, local fairs, child care providers, and veterans homes and to make an appropriation.
CURRENT STATUS 5/17/2021 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR; eff. immediately
NURSING FACILITIES
(O'BRIEN S, WILSON S)To establish requirements for the registration and operation of health care staffing agencies, to require the Department of Medicaid to complete a report on the inventory of private rooms in nursing facilities, to provide funds for immediate relief payments to nursing facilities, to amend the version of section 3701.83 of the Revised Code that is scheduled to take effect on September 30, 2024, to continue the change on and after that date, and to make an appropriation.
CURRENT STATUS 12/1/2022 - PASSED BY HOUSE; Vote 63-18
VACCINATIONS, CORONAVIRUS RECOVERY INCLUDING TOWNSHIPS
(BLESSING III L, BRENNER A)To prohibit certain mandatory vaccinations and other activities related to an individual's vaccination status and to make an appropriation related to coronavirus local fiscal recovery.
CURRENT STATUS 6/24/2021 - PASSED BY HOUSE; Amended on Floor, Bill Vote 62-34
PROOF OF IDENTITY-UNEMPLOYMENT
(HACKETT R, REINEKE W)To require a person to provide proof of identity at a local employment office before receiving unemployment compensation or pandemic unemployment assistance and to declare an emergency.
CURRENT STATUS 3/24/2021 - Senate Insurance, (Second Hearing)
PROHIBIT DISCRIMINATION-SEXUAL ORIENTATION, GENDER
(ANTONIO N, RULLI M)To enact the Ohio Fairness Act to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity or expression, to add mediation as an informal method that the Ohio Civil Rights Commission may use, and to uphold existing religious exemptions under Ohio's Civil Rights Law.
CURRENT STATUS 12/7/2022 - Senate Government Oversight and Reform, (First Hearing)
INCOME TAX DEDUCTION-EDUCATOR EXPENSES
(FEDOR T, MANNING N)To increase the personal income tax deduction for qualified educator expenses.
CURRENT STATUS 3/31/2021 - Senate Ways and Means, (First Hearing)
INCOME TAX CREDIT-TOWNSHIP DONATIONS
(HOAGLAND F)To authorize a refundable income tax credit for donations of cash, property, or services to townships.
CURRENT STATUS 3/31/2021 - Senate Ways and Means, (First Hearing)
LICENSURE RECIPROCITY
(ROEGNER K, MCCOLLEY R)To require an occupational licensing authority to issue a license or government certification to an applicant who holds a license, government certification, or private certification or has satisfactory work experience in another state under certain circumstances, to specify that individuals may not register as credit services organizations, to specify that individuals may not be licensed as manufacturers or wholesalers of fireworks, to maintain State Teacher Retirement System membership for certain school psychologists, and to revise continuing education requirements for licensed auctioneers.
CURRENT STATUS 1/2/2023 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR; eff. 4/3/23
REGARDING 'BUSINESS FAIRNESS'
(LANG G)To enact The Business Fairness Act and to declare an emergency.
CURRENT STATUS 6/9/2021 - House Economic and Workforce Development, (First Hearing)
TAX CREDIT-NONRESIDENT TAXPAYERS
(SCHAFFER T)To require municipal corporations with more than $100 million in annual income tax collections to provide a tax credit to nonresident taxpayers.
CURRENT STATUS 5/4/2021 - Introduced
LEGALIZE SPORTS BETTING
(ANTANI N, MANNING N)To legalize and regulate sports gaming in this state, to levy a tax on businesses that provide sports gaming, and to make other changes to the Gambling Law.
CURRENT STATUS 6/22/2021 - Referred to Committee House Finance
SALES TAX HOLIDAY EXPANSION
(ANTANI N)To expand the class of products exempt from the sales tax if bought during a sales tax holiday.
CURRENT STATUS 12/14/2021 - Senate Ways and Means, (First Hearing)
TAX CREDITS - TEMPORARY MODIFICATION
(SCHURING K)To modify the historic rehabilitation and the opportunity zone investment tax credits, to adjust the applicability of certain recently enacted provisions related to tax increment financing and downtown redevelopment districts, and to authorize the City of Canton to distribute moneys in the Hartford-Houtz Poor Fund to the Canton Ex-Newsboys Association or any other charitable organization.
CURRENT STATUS 6/14/2022 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR; Eff. 9/13/22
LEGISLATIVE OVERSIGHT - UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION
(SCHAFFER T)To establish legislative oversight of executive action regarding voluntary federal unemployment compensation programs.
CURRENT STATUS 12/15/2021 - SUBSTITUTE BILL ACCEPTED, Senate Insurance, (Third Hearing)
TAX REFUNDS AFTER DEATH
(HOTTINGER J)To expressly authorize the issuance of an income tax refund in the name of a deceased taxpayer's fiduciary.
CURRENT STATUS 6/14/2022 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR; Eff. 9/13/22
SALES TAX - DOCUMENTARY SERVICE CHARGES
(ROEGNER K)To exempt documentary service charges and income tax electronic filing fees from sales and use taxation.
CURRENT STATUS 12/14/2022 - Bills for Third Consideration
PASS-THROUGH ENTITY TAXES
(RULLI M, LANG G)To levy a tax on a pass-through entity's income apportioned to Ohio and to authorize a refundable income tax credit for an owner for such tax paid.
CURRENT STATUS 6/14/2022 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR; eff. 6/14/22
TAX EXEMPTION-OWNERSHIP INTERESTS
(LANG G, ROEGNER K)To exempt from income tax certain gains from the sale of an ownership interest in a business.
CURRENT STATUS 12/14/2021 - Senate Ways and Means, (Third Hearing)
FUEL TAXES-TEMPORARY REDUCTION
(HUFFMAN S)To temporarily reduce motor fuel excise tax rates and suspend collection of the additional motor vehicle registration taxes on electric and hybrid vehicles, both for five years, and to amend the version of section 4503.10 of the Revised Code that is scheduled to take effect on October 1, 2022, to continue the changes to that section on and after that date.
CURRENT STATUS 2/16/2022 - Senate Transportation, (First Hearing)
TAX CREDIT-CHILD CARE CONTRIBUTIONS
(MAHARATH T)To authorize a tax credit for contributions to certain child care programs.
CURRENT STATUS 3/15/2022 - Senate Ways and Means, (First Hearing)
NONPROFIT MANAGEMENT TAX INCENTIVES
(SCHAFFER T)To authorize tax incentives relating to nonprofit management and operations.
CURRENT STATUS 3/15/2022 - Senate Ways and Means, (Second Hearing)
UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION LAW CHANGES
(HACKETT R, REINEKE W)To amend Section 8 of S.B. 18 of the 134th General Assembly, as subsequently amended, to make changes to the Unemployment Compensation Law.
CURRENT STATUS 1/2/2023 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR; eff. 4/3/23
NONBUSINESS INCOME TAX REPEAL
(HUFFMAN S)To repeal the state income tax on nonbusiness income with a ten-year phase-out.
CURRENT STATUS 5/18/2022 - Referred to Committee Senate Ways and Means
FILM, THEATER TAX CREDITS
(SCHURING K)To modify the film and theater tax credit and to authorize a tax credit for capital improvement projects relating to the film and theater industries.
CURRENT STATUS 5/25/2022 - Referred to Committee Senate Ways and Means
FY23-24 CAPITAL APPROPRIATIONS
(DOLAN M)To declare the General Assembly's intent to enact legislation making capital appropriations for the biennium ending June 30, 2024.
CURRENT STATUS 5/31/2022 - SUBSTITUTE BILL ACCEPTED, Senate Finance, (Second Hearing)
COMMUNITY REVITALIZATION TAX CREDITS
(SCHURING K)To create the Ohio community revitalization program, authorizing nonrefundable income tax credits for undertaking community projects.
CURRENT STATUS 5/25/2022 - Referred to Committee Senate Ways and Means
DECLARE RACISM PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS
(CRAIG H, WILLIAMS S)To declare racism a public health crisis and to ask the Governor to establish a working group to promote racial equity in Ohio.
CURRENT STATUS 11/30/2022 - Senate Health, (First Hearing)
DENOUNCE RACISM AND DISCRIMINATION-COVID-19
(MAHARATH T, THOMAS C)To denounce all forms of stigmatization, racism, and discrimination occurring as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
CURRENT STATUS 3/24/2021 - Referred to Committee Senate Health
LEGISLATIVE INTENT-INCOME TAX REPEAL
(LANG G)To declare the General Assembly's intention to repeal the state individual income tax within a decade.
CURRENT STATUS 12/15/2021 - Referred to Committee Senate Ways and Means
CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGE-BAIL DETERMINATIONS
(GAVARONE T)Proposing to amend Section 9 of Article I of the Constitution of the State of Ohio to eliminate the requirement that the amount and conditions of bail be established pursuant to Section 5(b) of Article IV of the Constitution of the State of Ohio, and instead allow the courts to use factors such as public safety, a person's criminal record, the likelihood a person will return to court, and the seriousness of a person's offense.
CURRENT STATUS 5/31/2022 - Referred to Committee House Rules and Reference
CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGE-ELECTOR REQUIREMENTS
(BLESSING III L)Proposing to amend Section 1 of Article V, Section 3 of Article X, and Section 3 of Article XVIII of the Constitution of the State of Ohio to prohibit local governments from allowing persons who lack the qualifications of an elector to vote in local elections.
CURRENT STATUS 5/24/2022 - Senate Local Government and Elections, (Second Hearing)
Week in ReviewABORTION
A Hamilton County judge this week expanded
the effects of her injunctions against state abortion restrictions to block
potential licensure sanctions against certain advanced practice clinicians (APCs).
Judge Anne Hatheway of Hamilton County Common Pleas Court last year enjoined
enforcement of state laws restricting medication abortions, including a law
barring nurse practitioners, physician assistants and certified nurse midwives
from providing medication abortion. Plaintiffs in the case, a group of Planned
Parenthood affiliates and medical providers, argued that despite Hatheway's
ruling, other laws effectively left the ban in place. They targeted two
provisions of law and one administrative rule.
ARTS, SPORTS AND
ENTERTAINMENT
Former Attorney General Marc Dann and former
Rep. Jeff Crossman (D-Parma) Monday officially filed a class action lawsuit
against the state over a budget provision that will use unclaimed funds to help
pay for a new Cleveland Browns stadium in Brook Park.
Ahead of the Superman movie's Friday release,
Gov. Mike DeWine and Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel joined TourismOhio to celebrate
Superman's return to the Heart of it All. According to the governor's office,
"Before he became known around the world as the 'Man of Steel,' Superman
was created by two Cleveland teenagers, Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, who
dreamed up the superhero while attending high school in Cleveland's Glenville
neighborhood in the early 1930s. Now, nearly a century later, the superhero is
back in Ohio in a new movie filmed in the city that gave him life.”
ATTORNEY GENERAL
The Ohio Attorney General's Office is
contributing to the Trump administration's 2025 National Health Care Fraud
Takedown, an enforcement campaign of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) that
has uncovered $14.6 billion in false Medicaid bills and 15.6 million pills of
illegally diverted drugs. The attorney general (AG) busted 13 home health aides
and one behavioral health specialist in June for allegedly stealing and/or
defrauding more than $189,000 in Medicaid funds purportedly to care for the
elderly and disabled.
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced
another $1.2 million in Medicaid theft Thursday as part of a continued campaign
against homecare grifters. Following last week's indictment of 13 Medicaid
fraudsters, Yost charged eight more home health aides and one mental health
specialist, with a Cleveland man apparently accounting for three quarters of a
million dollars in theft from the state.
BALLOT ISSUES
The Ballot Board voted 3-2 along party lines
Wednesday to split a proposed equal rights constitutional amendment into two
issues: one focused on specifying rights cannot be abridged for reasons of
race, sexual orientation or other factors; and another to repeal the 2004 ban
on same-sex marriage adopted by voters. Backers of the amendment said they’re
now weighing their options. Attorney General Dave Yost had approved petition
summary language for the proposed amendment last week.
FY24-25 BUDGET
According to preliminary data from the Office
of Budget and Management (OBM) released Monday, Ohio exceeded its revenue
forecast for the just concluded FY25 by $1.04 billion or 3.7 percent. The
Personal Income Tax accounts for the bulk of the overage, coming in $691.3
million or 7.1 percent over estimates on the year.
IT’S IN THE FY26-27
BUDGET
The FY26-27 budget, like those before it, launches a collection of
studies and workgroups on topics of interest to lawmakers. They cover
everything from children’s crisis care to a Toledo-to-Columbus highway
connection to health effects of marijuana to multi-system youth, among others.
Meanwhile, Gov. Mike DeWine also set up a few study groups of his own
via veto messages, planning working groups on property taxes, a ban on buying
soft drinks with food stamps and emergency response at state parks.
The HB96 (Stewart) conference committee report agreed to by both
chambers retained House changes to the Welcome Home Ohio (WHO) program, while
eliminating House-added housing accelerator grants and keeping the Senate's
addition of residential economic development district grants. A separate
program added by the Senate provides $100 million to support single-family
housing construction in rural areas.
The Ohio Treasurer's Office recently announced a series of changes to
the STABLE account program as part of the budget, saying they will help more
Ohioans living with disabilities benefit from its specialized savings and
investment accounts. Under the STABLE program, Ohioans can save up to $19,000
per year without losing federal assistance, and an additional $15,060 if they
are employed. STABLE account earnings grow tax-free if they are spent on
qualified expenses that include housing, transportation, living expenses,
health care and assistive technology.
Budget provisions for the Ohio History Connection (OHC) and Ohio
Commission for the U.S. Semiquincentennial (America 250-Ohio) underwent several
changes during the legislative process, with some items removed and others
added in the final version.
While the Senate sought to remove them, several budget items on
workforce development added by the House were restored in conference committee
and will now be implemented. They include a "platinum provider
program" for the Individual Microcredential Assistance Program (IMAP); an
accelerated career pathways program; and a pilot program on artificial
intelligence (AI) at community colleges.
CHILDREN/FAMILIES
From education and health to economic
wellbeing and issues of family and community, approaches to what children and
youth need can vary widely from state to state. Looking at those four
indicators, the Annie E. Casey Foundation recently released its Kids Count Data
Book ranking each state on its progress on four metrics in each category.
Nationally, the report says seven of those 16 key indicators have improved, six
have worsened and three have stayed the same.
DISASTERS
Gov. Mike DeWine announced Monday he was
sending Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) troopers as well as multiple Ohio
Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) K-9s and their handlers to help Texas
authorities with search, rescue and recovery work following the devastating
floods along the Guadalupe River there.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT/URBAN
REVITALIZATION
JobsOhio this week announced that it has
completed an agreement with defense technology Anduril Industries that includes
a $310 million grant for a new manufacturing facility in Pickaway County.
ECONOMY
Ohio has climbed from No. 7 in 2024 to No. 5 in 2025 in CNBC's annual
"America's Top States for Business" rankings, continuing a three-year
ascent that began with a jump to No. 12 in 2023, JobsOhio announced Thursday.
"This performance marks Ohio's highest ranking since the index launched in
2007. Among the states CNBC ranked as the Top 5 States for Business overall,
Ohio has the best infrastructure, the lowest cost of doing business and the
lowest cost of living."
EDUCATION
The Reading Recovery Council of North America recently dropped the
remaining element of its lawsuit against science of reading mandates
established in the prior state budget bill so that it could file an appeal on
the trial court's determination it lacked standing to pursue other claims.
The Ohio Department of Commerce (DOC) Division of Financial
Institutions announced Monday that eight organizations will be receiving a
combined total of $50,000 in FY26 under the Financial Literacy Education Grant
Program. The division received a record 156 grant applications, up more than
600 percent from the 22 received in the previous year. DOC said that reflects
the growing demand for these programs.
The state's largest appeals court has found public K-12 is not liable
for failing to block obscene, violent or otherwise harmful content on school IT
devices issued to students who later die by suicide off campus.
Coordinators of the landmark voucher litigation expressed confidence
Wednesday that the trial court judge laid a strong foundation for their case as
they prepare to move to the appellate stage. Meanwhile, the coalition is aiming
to substantially grow the ranks of districts supporting the legal effort.
Vouchers Hurt Ohio, the group supporting the lawsuit, organized a virtual press
conference where coalition steering committee members gave their interpretation
of Franklin County Common Pleas Judge Jaiza Page's June 24 decision. Page sided
with the plaintiffs on three of five counts, determining the EdChoice
Scholarship program violates the requirement in the Ohio Constitution that
lawmakers create a "common" school system, and the prohibition on giving
control of education money to religious sects.
The State Board of Education (SBOE) released Wednesday the names of
Ohio's eleven 2026 State Board District Teachers of the Year. The Ohio Teacher
of the Year program recognizes exceptional teachers statewide and celebrates
their work in and outside the classroom. Four of those 11 will move to the
final selection phase for the 2026 Ohio Teacher of the Year. The teacher
selected from those four will represent Ohio teachers statewide and nationally
during the 2025-2026 school year.
While Thursday's meeting of the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission
(OFCC) saw several projects get approved statewide for construction to begin,
the meeting also bid farewell to an OFCC employee who is retiring this summer
after more than three decades of service. OFCC Chief of Planning Melanie Drerup
will retire later this summer after working with the commission since 1994,
before it was formalized into the OFCC office that exists today.
ELECTIONS
Secretary of State Frank LaRose this week
hosted the annual statewide elections conference in Columbus, focusing on
election integrity and security for the gathering of county elections officials
from around the state. Welcoming nearly 500 officials from 85 counties for the
two-day training seminar, the event featured sessions ranging from logistics
and early voting strategies to the latest in cybersecurity and threat
mitigation.
ELECTIONS 2026
Rep. Beth Lear
(R-Galena) is eyeing a move to the Senate in the next General Assembly and has
launched a campaign to succeed the term-limited Sen. Andrew Brenner
(R-Delaware). Lear is in her second term in the House since she was elected in
2022. Her campaign website has been changed to reflect her run for the Ohio
Senate.
Rep. Phil Plummer (R-Dayton) Tuesday
officially announced his candidacy for the 5th Ohio Senate District, seeking to
succeed the term-limited Sen. Steve Huffman (R-Tipp City). Plummer's
announcement sets up a potential primary with Rep. Rodney Creech (R-West
Alexandria), who announced his candidacy in May.
Republican Secretary of State candidate
Marcell Strbich said Tuesday that his campaign for secretary of state has
raised $200,000 in the six weeks since he launched his campaign, with more than
1,500 donors.
Ryan Rivers, a Lewis Center businessman and
former Orange Township trustee, announced he is running for the 19th Senate
District currently held by Sen. Andrew Brenner (R-Delaware), who is
term-limited.
EMPLOYMENT/UNEMPLOYMENT
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
reported Thursday the nation added 147,000 jobs in June while the unemployment
rate changed little at 4.1 percent. Employment rose in state government and
health care, while federal government employment continued to decline. The
number of unemployed people was also little changed in June at 7.0 million, and
BLS said the unemployment rate has been between 4.0 and 4.2 percent since May
2024.
ENERGY/UTILITIES
The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) set aside the wishes of
Microsoft, Google, Amazon and other members of the data center industry
Wednesday while seeking to assure large investors that the state is open for
business -- namely, the rapid growth in IT mega-processing. Commissioners
issued their long-awaited ruling on American Electric Power (AEP) of Ohio's
recommended plan to impose special distribution and transmission charges,
financing guarantees and megawatt (MW) thresholds on Big Data to ensure Central
Ohio's purportedly unique industry advantages do not crash the state's electric
grid.
GENERAL ASSEMBLY/STATEHOUSE
The Ohio Statehouse and its underground
garage will be closed for periods of time from 8 p.m. on Friday, July 11 to
about noon on Saturday, July 12, the Capital Square Review and Advisory Board
(CSRAB) advises. During that time, there will be an electrical shutdown from 8
p.m. to midnight, which will affect various areas throughout the Statehouse.
CSRAB stresses, "The Statehouse will not be accessible to tenants or the
public during this time."
HUMAN SERVICES
Individuals with lived or professional
experience with the developmental disabilities (DD) community are encouraged to
apply to join the Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council (ODDC). The council
works to support independence, inclusion and opportunities for people with
disabilities across Ohio.
JUDICIAL
Judges, lawyers and members of the public can
now find a collection of bench cards, guides and toolkits on the Supreme Court
of Ohio's website to help with navigating the state's legal system.
"Resources for the Bench" is a compilation of statutes and court
decisions in the state of Ohio and is intended as a summary of Ohio's law as it
pertains to different courts. The materials are HERE.
A case before the Ohio Supreme Court raises
new questions about the meaning and responsibilities of a "harborer"
of a dog that attacks humans, a term which neither the Ohio Revised Code nor
the current House-passed dog omnibus HB247 (K. Miller) defines. The Court will
hear an appeal in which the 2nd District found the landowner of a mobile home
community "strictly liable" for serious injuries to a boy who
attempted to pet a neighbor's dog.
The Ohio Supreme Court says any party who discloses
the contents of a guardian ad litem (GAL) report even in passing, not to
mention the report itself, is flirting with court action including contempt
findings, jail time and/or fines. Rule 48.06(B) of the Rules of Superintendence
for the Courts of Ohio will now read as follows if proposed language survives
the 42-day comment period: "The court must approve any additional
disclosure of this report or its contents by a party. Unauthorized disclosure
of the report or its contents may be subject to court action, including the
penalties for contempt, which include fine and/or incarceration."
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
The County Commissioners Association of Ohio
(CCAO) Tuesday announced new leadership positions for two of its staff members.
Tim Hoverman has been named managing director of IT/operations. Steve Caraway
has been appointed managing director of enterprise and retirement services.
NATURAL RESOURCES
Bald eagle nests were found in all but one of Ohio's 88 counties this
year by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), a testament to
statewide conservation efforts since 1979, when Ohio hosted only four bald
eagle nesting pairs, the department said.
OHIO HISTORY
The America 250-Ohio
Commission Wednesday announced several new stops on its Ohio Air and Space
Trail as part of national anniversary festivities next year, building off an
initial announcement of 34 sites including museums, a state park and military
installations.
PARKS/RECREATION
Women looking for a supportive,
beginner-friendly introduction to outdoor activities including boating,
fishing, shooting sports, nature programming and more are invited to the Ohio
Department of Natural Resources' (ODNR) 11th annual Ohio Women's Outdoor
Adventure Weekend. The popular event will feature three days of fun and outdoor
exploration from Friday, Sept. 12 through Sunday, Sept. 14 at Deer Creek State
Park and Lodge in Mount Sterling.
Statewide efforts to
improve accessibility at Ohio's state parks hit another milestone last week
with the opening of both an inclusive playground and an accessible beach area
at Strouds Run State Park in Athens County. The new inclusive playground at the
north end of the beach at Strouds Run features accessible swings,
sensory-friendly equipment and interactive play elements designed for children
of all abilities. The playground is located adjacent to the beach's
ADA-compliant restroom to further provide convenient, accessible facilities to
further improve the park experience.
As the summer months
draw Ohioans out into nature, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR)
reminds outdoor enthusiasts that the best trips are the ones where everyone
remains safe, whether on the land or in the water. "Summer is a time where
we see our state parks, nature preserves, forests, rivers and lakes full of
people with their families and we want everyone to have fun while staying
safe," said ODNR Director Mary Mertz. "A safety plan is something I
encourage everyone to make ahead of a day trip to the lake or a weekend in one
of our state parks."
PUBLIC SAFETY
The Ohio State Highway
Patrol (OSHP) is hoping to appear in in the American Association of State
Troopers' (AAST) "Best Looking Cruiser" calendar and was asking
Ohioans to vote for its black Dodge Durango with characteristic "Flying
Wheel" logo and golden retriever mascot.
Franklin County
dominated the state with 1,900 Fourth of July incidents reported by the Ohio
State Highway Patrol (OSHP) -- more than doubling its closest rival -- though
busy highway interchanges straddling Cuyahoga and Summit counties together saw
the most fatalities. A total of 10 died in 10 crashes between Thursday, July 3
and Sunday, July 6, with unused seat belts as the lead culprit.
State law enforcement
agencies account for more than a third of all peace officers in the Ohio State
Highway Patrol (OSHP) Training Academy's latest graduating class, and they
don't include state troopers. The academy honored 37 Ohioans for completing all
requirements of the 21-week Basic Peace Officer course, including nine who
begin work with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources' (ODNR) Division of
Parks and Watercraft and four with the Ohio Department of Public Safety's (DPS)
Ohio Investigative Unit (OIU).
STATE GOVERNMENT
According to a new analysis by the Pew Charitable Trusts, revenue
conditions among states appear to be stabilizing after a period of
pandemic-induced volatility, but tax collections have remained sluggish
nationally and in most states for five straight quarters. Pew found that after
two consecutive fiscal years of widespread tax revenue declines, states had
fewer resources to work with at the start of calendar year 2025 than they had
in recent years, which limited the capacity to fund tax cuts, expand public
services, prepare for recessions, and other priorities.
STUDIES/POLLS
As many Americans may
gather to celebrate the Fourth of July holiday this weekend, new survey results
suggest such times for socialization are becoming less common. According to the
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' American Time Use Survey (ATUS), the
percentage of Americans who reported socializing or communicating on an average
day in 2024 stood at 30 percent, down from 38 percent in 2014 and down over 30
percent from 2003. In 2024 on average, adults reported spending 35 minutes per
day socializing or communicating.
TAXATION
The House will
interrupt its summer break later this month to potentially override Gov. Mike
DeWine's line-item vetoes of property tax provisions in biennial budget HB96
(Stewart). House Speaker Matt Huffman (R-Lima) announced that he is scheduling
a session for Monday, July 21 "to consider overriding line-item vetoes
made by the governor." Adding to the logistics of bringing back lawmakers
during summer break, the House session will be held in the Senate chamber due
to the ongoing maintenance and replacement of air conditioning units in the
House areas of the Statehouse.
As lawmakers prepare
to overturn Gov. Mike DeWine's vetoes on property tax provisions in the
biennial budget and a group collects signatures to bar the collection of
property taxes, Attorney General Dave Yost waded into the debate Wednesday,
urging action before the ballot measure eliminates the system altogether. Yost
issued a statement Wednesday calling for elected county officials to form a
coalition to reform property taxes. Yost made the plea while speaking Wednesday
to the Ohio Council of County Officials, a group representing all of Ohio's county
elected officials.
Gov. Mike DeWine
announced co-chairs of the property tax reform working group he teed up when
vetoing certain property tax provisions of the budget bill. Leading the group
will be former state and federal lawmaker Pat Tiberi, now head of the Ohio
Business Roundtable, and former state lawmaker Bill Seitz. Other members are to
be announced soon, and DeWine wants a report by the end of September.
TOBACCO/SMOKING/VAPING
In a unanimous
decision issued Tuesday, the Ohio 10th District Court of Appeals ruled that the
General Assembly's efforts to preempt local ordinances regulating tobacco
products violate the home rule provisions of the Ohio Constitution. Lawmakers
had included language in the previous biennial budget, 135-HB33 (Edwards), that
prohibited local regulations of tobacco and alternative nicotine products, but
Gov. Mike DeWine used his line-item powers to strike the language from the
budget. However, on a mostly party-line vote, the General Assembly voted to
override that veto.
TRANSPORTATION/INFRASTRUCTURE
Gov. Mike DeWine and the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT)
Thursday announced 55 recipients of $137.5 million in grants for traffic safety
projects in 41 counties across the state. The funding comes from the state's
Highway Safety Improvement Program, which the DeWine administration said is
investing more per capita on roadway safety than any other state.
The Ohio Water Development Authority (OWDA) announced this week that it
has awarded $30.97 million through low-interest loans to Ohio communities to
improve wastewater and drinking water infrastructure and make water quality
improvements for Ohioans. OWDA said it funded eight projects in the month of
June that will improve/replace aging infrastructure, with the projects
receiving an interest rate ranging from 3.91 to 4.69 percent.
WORKERS’ COMPENSATION
The Bureau of Workers'
Compensation (BWC) announced Tuesday that it had reopened its safety grants
program, which helps employers purchase equipment that
"significantly" reduces the risk of workplace injury. More than $41
million is available to employers in FY26.