Bill InformationPROPERTY, INCOME TAX CHANGES
(MATHEWS A)To modify the law regarding property taxation and income tax rates.
CURRENT STATUS4/25/2023 - House Ways and Means, (Seventh Hearing)
STATE FUNDING-CAPITAL APPROPRIATIONS
(CUTRONA A, UPCHURCH T)To provide authorization and conditions for the operation of certain state programs, to make capital appropriations and reappropriations for the biennium ending June 30, 2026, to make other appropriations, and to declare an emergency.
CURRENT STATUS 6/28/2024 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR; eff. immediately
AFFORDABLE HOUSING TAX CREDIT
(PAVLIGA G, MCNALLY L)To authorize a nonrefundable tax credit for
the construction or rehabilitation of certain
federally subsidized rental housing and to
authorize a uniform method for the tax valuation
of most such housing.
CURRENT STATUS 6/13/2023 - SUBSTITUTE BILL ACCEPTED, House Economic and Workforce Development, (Fifth Hearing)
FAIR ACCESS TO FINANCIAL SERVICES ACT
(YOUNG T, KING A)To enact Ohio's Fair Access to Financial Services Act regarding financial institutions and other businesses that conduct economic boycotts or discriminate against certain companies or customers based on certain factors and to make an appropriation.
CURRENT STATUS 11/14/2023 - SUBSTITUTE BILL ACCEPTED, House Financial Institutions, (First Hearing)
FY24-25 OPERATING BUDGET
(EDWARDS J)To make operating appropriations for the biennium beginning July 1, 2023, and ending June 30, 2025, to levy taxes, and to provide authorization and conditions for the operation of state programs.
CURRENT STATUS 1/24/2024 - Consideration of Governor's Veto; Senate Overrides Veto, Vote 24-8
REFUNDABLE INCOME TAX CREDIT
(SKINDELL M, ISAACSOHN D)To make the earned income tax credit partially refundable.
CURRENT STATUS 5/9/2023 - House Ways and Means, (First Hearing)
VETERAN HIRING TAX CREDITS
(SCHMIDT J, MILLER A)To authorize refundable tax credits for hiring certain veterans, service members, and their spouses.
CURRENT STATUS 6/13/2023 - House Ways and Means, (Second Hearing)
HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION-INFLATION INDEX
(HALL T, DEMETRIOU S)To index the homestead exemption amounts to inflation.
CURRENT STATUS 5/31/2023 - Referred to Committee Senate Ways and Means
HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION-EXPANDED QUALIFICATIONS
(TROY D)To increase the amount of and expand the income qualifications for the homestead exemption.
CURRENT STATUS 4/18/2023 - House Ways and Means, (Fourth Hearing)
TOBACCO PRODUCT BAD DEBTS
(HALL T, STOLTZFUS R)Regarding the deduction and recovery of bad debts for cigarette and tobacco and vapor products taxes.
CURRENT STATUS 12/11/2024 - REPORTED OUT, Senate Ways and Means, (Fourth Hearing)
HOMESTEAD TAX EXEMPTION - DISABLED VETERANS
(PATTON T)To authorize a total property tax exemption for the homesteads of totally disabled veterans and their surviving spouses.
CURRENT STATUS 9/12/2023 - House Ways and Means, (Third Hearing)
INCREASE MINIMUM WAGE
(JARRELLS D, MOHAMED I)To increase the state minimum wage.
CURRENT STATUS 6/25/2024 - House Commerce and Labor, (First Hearing)
MUNICIPAL INCOME TAX RETURNS EXTENSIONS
(THOMAS J)To modify the law regarding extensions for filing municipal income tax returns and to limit penalties for late filings.
CURRENT STATUS 5/31/2023 - Referred to Committee Senate Ways and Means
PAY STUB PROTECTION ACT
(JARRELLS D, LIPPS S)To enact the Pay Stub Protection Act requiring employers to provide earnings and deductions statements to each of the employer's employees.
CURRENT STATUS 1/8/2025 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR; eff. 4/9/25
NONPROFIT WORKFORCE REINVESTMENT ACT
(SANTUCCI N, MILLER A)To enact the Nonprofit Workforce Reinvestment Act to allow certain tax-exempt retailers to retain a portion of state sales taxes to fund employment services.
CURRENT STATUS 5/23/2023 - House Ways and Means, (Third Hearing)
TAXPAYER DEDUCTIONS
(PETERSON B, CLAGGETT T)To allow taxpayers to deduct in a single year the full bonus depreciation and enhanced expensing allowances the taxpayer deducts for federal income tax purposes.
CURRENT STATUS 5/2/2023 - REPORTED OUT, House Ways and Means, (Fourth Hearing)
REMOTE WORKERS - MODIFIED MUNICIPAL INCOME TAX
(ROBB BLASDEL M, MATHEWS A)To allow businesses with remote workers to use a modified municipal income tax apportionment formula.
CURRENT STATUS 6/21/2023 - Referred to Committee Senate Ways and Means
TAX DEDUCTIONS - 529 PLANS
(MATHEWS A, SANTUCCI N)To modify the income tax deductions for contributions to 529 plans and ABLE accounts.
CURRENT STATUS 12/10/2024 - PASSED BY HOUSE; Vote 90-0
TAX EXEMPTION - MILITARY PAY
(MATHEWS A, MILLER A)To expand a municipal income tax exemption for military pay.
CURRENT STATUS 5/23/2023 - House Ways and Means, (Third Hearing)
CLASSIFY CERTAIN PAYMENTS - INVESTORS
(KING A, YOUNG T)To classify certain guaranteed payments to pass-through entity investors as business income.
CURRENT STATUS 5/9/2023 - House Ways and Means, (Third Hearing)
TEMPORARY AGRICULTURAL WORKERS - TAXES
(STEIN D)To authorize certain municipalities to levy a tax on providers of housing for temporary foreign agricultural workers.
CURRENT STATUS 11/28/2023 - SUBSTITUTE BILL ACCEPTED, House Ways and Means, (Fourth Hearing)
VICARIOUS LIABILITY IN TORT ACTIONS
(MATHEWS A, STEWART B)Relative to vicarious liability in tort actions and to provide that the tolling of the limitations period during the defendant's absence or concealment does not apply to statutes of repose.
CURRENT STATUS 7/24/2024 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR; eff. 10/24/24
PROCEDURES FOR PROPERTY TAX VALUES
(HALL T, BIRD A)To make changes to the law governing real property valuation and tax complaints, to temporarily modify the computation of the homestead exemption, to abate property taxes on certain municipal and community improvement corporation property, to make an appropriation, and to declare an emergency.
CURRENT STATUS 12/6/2023 - PASSED BY SENATE; Vote 31-0, Emergency Clause 29-2
ELECTRONIC TAX PAYMENTS
(ROEMER B, DEMETRIOU S)Regarding the Treasurer of State and the electronic payment of taxes.
CURRENT STATUS 6/7/2023 - Referred to Committee House State and Local Government
PERSONAL INCOME TAX JOINT FILER CREDIT
(YOUNG T, DEAN B)To modify the computation of the personal income tax joint filer credit.
CURRENT STATUS 9/19/2023 - House Ways and Means, (Fifth Hearing)
PASS-THROUGH ENTITY TAXES
(CALLENDER J, YOUNG T)To modify the income tax treatment of income subject to other states' pass-through entity taxes.
CURRENT STATUS 6/27/2023 - House Ways and Means, (Second Hearing)
ADAMH BOARDS
(PIZZULLI J)Regarding the composition of boards of alcohol, drug addiction, and mental health services; the authority of the boards; and the requirements for operation of recovery housing residences.
CURRENT STATUS 9/12/2023 - Referred to Committee House Behavioral Health
OCCUPATIONAL REGULATIONS, SUNSET REVIEW, INSURANCE LAWS
(FOWLER S, KLOPFENSTEIN R)To revise and streamline the state's occupational regulations, to revise the law governing the Board of Nursing's Doula Advisory Group, to revise the membership of the Ohio Housing Finance Agency, to implement the recommendations of the Sunset Review Committee, and to eliminate certain Ohio insurance laws that have been suspended since the enactment by Congress of the Affordable Care Act.
CURRENT STATUS 1/8/2025 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR; eff. 4/9/25
HOMESTEAD TAX EXEMPTION - DISABLED VETERANS
(RICHARDSON T, HOLMES A)To expand and enhance the homestead property tax exemption for disabled veterans.
CURRENT STATUS 12/5/2023 - House Ways and Means, (Third Hearing)
PROPERTY TAX FREEZE
(ISAACSOHN D, HALL T)To authorize a property tax freeze for certain owner-occupied homes.
CURRENT STATUS 2/6/2024 - SUBSTITUTE BILL ACCEPTED, House Ways and Means, (Fourth Hearing)
PROPERTY TAX HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION
(MATHEWS A, DELL'AQUILA R)To authorize an enhanced property tax homestead exemption for certain long-term homeowners.
CURRENT STATUS 12/10/2024 - PASSED BY HOUSE; Vote 78-11
DAMAGE COLLECTION REQUIREMENTS
(SEITZ B, YOUNG T)To require in a civil action for damages caused by another person's criminal act that such other person was convicted of, pleaded guilty to, or adjudicated delinquent in connection with the criminal act.
CURRENT STATUS 12/3/2024 - REPORTED OUT AS AMENDED, House Civil Justice, (Ninth Hearing)
PROPERTY TAX LEVIES, COMPLAINTS
(MATHEWS A, HALL T)To eliminate the authority to levy replacement property tax levies and to modify the law governing certain property tax complaints.
CURRENT STATUS 4/30/2024 - SUBSTITUTE BILL ACCEPTED & REPORTED OUT, House Ways and Means, (Sixth Hearing)
PHASE OUT STATE INCOME TAX
(MATHEWS A, LAMPTON B)To phase-out the state income tax on nonbusiness income over six years and to repeal the commercial activity tax after 2029.
CURRENT STATUS 5/14/2024 - House Ways and Means, (Second Hearing)
EMPLOYEE SALARY HISTORY
(MIRANDA J, ABDULLAHI M)To prohibit employers from seeking a prospective employee's wage or salary history.
CURRENT STATUS 6/25/2024 - House Commerce and Labor, (First Hearing)
BLOCKCHAIN BASICS ACT
(DEMETRIOU S)To prohibit certain state and local government actions respecting digital asset mining, to exempt certain digital currency transactions from state and local income taxes, to prohibit local charges on digital assets, to require the state retirement systems to evaluate certain digital asset investments, and to name this act the Ohio Blockchain Basics Act.
CURRENT STATUS 5/21/2024 - House Financial Institutions, (First Hearing)
AUTOMATIC SEALING-CRIMINAL RECORDS
(HILLYER B, SEITZ B)To enact the Getting Rehabilitated Ohioans Working Act to allow for the automatic sealing of certain criminal records.
CURRENT STATUS 6/11/2024 - SUBSTITUTE BILL ACCEPTED, House Criminal Justice, (Third Hearing)
CHILD CARE GRANTS
(WHITE A, ROEMER B)To establish certain child care grant programs, including those related to child care capacity and learning labs, and to make an appropriation.
CURRENT STATUS 5/8/2024 - House Finance, (First Hearing)
CAPITAL BUDGET
(EDWARDS J)To amend Sections 307.80 and 423.120 of H.B. 33 of the 135th General Assembly to provide authorization and conditions for the operation of certain state programs, to make capital appropriations and reappropriations for the biennium ending June 30, 2026, to make other appropriations, and to declare an emergency.
CURRENT STATUS 6/20/2024 - BILL AMENDED, House Finance, (Second Hearing)
CAMPAIGN FINANCE-FOREIGN NATIONALS, BALLOT ISSUES
(SEITZ B)To modify the Campaign Finance Law regarding foreign nationals and ballot issues.
CURRENT STATUS 6/2/2024 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR; eff. 9/1/24
PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE DEADLINES-2024 ELECTION
(DOBOS D)To delay the deadline for a major political party to certify its presidential and vice presidential candidates to the Secretary of State for the 2024 general election.
CURRENT STATUS 6/2/2024 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR; eff. 9/1/24
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 5/24/2023 - Senate Ways and Means, (Third Hearing)
ESG POLICIES-STATE ENTITIES
(SCHURING K)Regarding environmental, social, and corporate governance policies with respect to the state retirement systems, Bureau of Workers' Compensation, and state institutions of higher education.
CURRENT STATUS 12/19/2024 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR; eff. 3/20/25
INTERNAL REVENUE CODE CHANGES
(BLESSING III L)To amend section 5701.11 of the Revised Code and to amend Sections 225.12, 265.10, 265.20, and 701.10 of H.B. 45 of the 134th General Assembly to expressly incorporate changes in the Internal Revenue Code since February 17, 2022, into Ohio law, to make changes to the Emergency Rental Assistance program, to revise an existing earmark, to modify the requirements for a temporary arts economic relief grant program, and to declare an emergency.
CURRENT STATUS 3/15/2023 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR; eff. immediately
NON-RECOURSE CIVIL LITIGATION
(WILSON S)To amend the law regarding the non-recourse civil litigation advance business.
CURRENT STATUS 12/6/2023 - SUBSTITUTE BILL ACCEPTED, Senate Judiciary, (Second Hearing)
INTERNAL REVENUE CODE CHANGES
(ROEGNER K)To expressly incorporate changes in the Internal Revenue Code since February 17, 2022, into Ohio law and to declare an emergency.
CURRENT STATUS 1/17/2023 - Referred to Committee Senate Ways and Means
TAX LAW CHANGES
(SCHAFFER T)To modify the sales and use taxation of network delivery services, to modify the law governing property tax complaints, and to modify the situsing of gross receipts, for commercial activity tax purposes, from the sale of certain motor vehicles.
CURRENT STATUS 12/18/2024 - REPORTED OUT AS AMENDED, House Ways and Means, (First Hearing)
HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION-VETERAN SPOUSES
(BRENNER A)To modify the homestead exemption for the surviving spouse of a disabled veteran.
CURRENT STATUS 7/28/2023 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR; eff. 10/27/23
ELECTRONIC LICENSING, LAND TRANSFERS, PORT AUTHORITIES
(BRENNER A)To require a state occupational licensing agency to accept electronic license applications; to modify the law regarding county engineers; to modify the law governing transfers of abandoned land subject to tax foreclosure proceedings; and to allow certain counties to create an additional port authority.
CURRENT STATUS 12/11/2024 - PASSED BY HOUSE; Vote 69-14
911 SERVICE LAW CHANGES
(WILSON S, SMITH K)To make changes to the law governing 9-1-1 service and to repeal program requirements for emergency-service-telecommunicator training.
CURRENT STATUS 6/6/2023 - REPORTED OUT, Senate Financial Institutions and Technology, (Eighth Hearing)
ASBESTOS CLAIMS-DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS
(LANG G)To require a plaintiff in a tort action alleging an asbestos claim to file specified disclosures.
CURRENT STATUS 1/8/2025 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR; eff. 4/9/25
ELECTRONIC TAX PAYMENTS, STATE TREASURER
(GAVARONE T)Regarding the Treasurer of State and the electronic payment of taxes.
CURRENT STATUS 6/7/2023 - Referred to Committee House State and Local Government
JEDDS, REGULATORY RELIEF, POLITICAL SIGNS, COST-SHARING
(BLESSING III L)To allow two or more municipalities to create a joint economic development district without involving a township, to create a regulatory relief division within the common
sense initiative office and establish a universal regulatory sandbox program, to restrict cost-sharing requirements with regard to occupational and physical therapists and chiropractors, and to prohibit homeowners associations from restricting the display of political yard signs.
CURRENT STATUS 12/18/2024 - BILL FAILED; Vote 40-55
HIGH-VOLUME LANDLORD TAX
(BLESSING III L, ANTONIO N)To levy a tax on certain high-volume landlords.
CURRENT STATUS 3/22/2023 - Senate Ways and Means, (Second Hearing)
TAX-EXEMPT RETAILERS-EMPLOYMENT
(REYNOLDS M, INGRAM C)To allow certain tax-exempt retailers to retain a portion of state sales taxes to fund employment services.
CURRENT STATUS 3/29/2023 - Senate Ways and Means, (Second Hearing)
HIGHER EDUCATION OPERATIONS ENHANCEMENT
(CIRINO J)To enact the Ohio Higher Education Enhancement Act regarding the operation of state institutions of higher education, and to revise the Uniform Prudent Management of Institutional Funds Act.
CURRENT STATUS 1/3/2024 - Re-Referred to Committee
ENTER SOCIAL WORKER COMPACT
(ROEGNER K)To enter into the Social Work Licensure Compact.
CURRENT STATUS 5/10/2024 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR; eff. 8/9/24
FRAUDULENT, DECEPTIVE BUSINESS PRACTICES
(RULLI M)To address fraudulent business filings, deceptive mailings, reinstatement of canceled
business entities, and addresses of statutory agents, and to make changes
regarding property taxation, fire investigator firearms, acting or assigned judge
reimbursements, common pleas clerk of court duties, recreational vehicle park
and camp operation licenses, and state ballot numbering.
CURRENT STATUS 7/24/2024 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR; eff. 10/24/24
UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION LAW CHANGES
(LANG G, ROMANCHUK M)To make changes to Ohio's Unemployment Compensation Law.
CURRENT STATUS 6/7/2023 - Senate Insurance, (Third Hearing)
TAX CREDITS-SINGLE FAMILY HOMES
(SCHURING K)To authorize a nonrefundable, transferable income tax credit for the construction of new, or conversion of rental housing into, owner-occupied single family homes.
CURRENT STATUS 5/24/2023 - Senate Ways and Means, (Third Hearing)
FAIRNESS ACT-DISCRIMINATION PROHIBITIONS
(ANTONIO N)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 11/13/2024 - Senate Government Oversight, (First Hearing)
FRAUDULENT CLAIMS WITH STATE
(HICKS-HUDSON P, DEMORA B)Regarding filing false or fraudulent claims with the state and defrauding the state of money or property.
CURRENT STATUS 11/12/2024 - Senate General Government, (First Hearing)
INCREASE STATE MINIMUM WAGE
(SMITH K, CRAIG H)To increase the state minimum wage.
CURRENT STATUS 9/27/2023 - Senate Workforce and Higher Education, (First Hearing)
TEMPORARY TAX VALUATION CHANGES
(LANG G, JOHNSON T)To temporarily modify the method for valuing farmland and other real property for tax purposes.
CURRENT STATUS 10/11/2023 - Senate Ways and Means, (Fourth Hearing)
DIETICIAN LICENSURE, 9-8-8 LINE
(ROEGNER K)To enter into the Dietitian Licensure Compact and to establish a 9-8-8 suicide prevention and mental health crisis telephone line.
CURRENT STATUS 1/8/2025 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR; eff. 4/9/25
STATE INCOME TAX-PHASE OUT
(LANG G, HUFFMAN S)To phase-out the state income tax on nonbusiness income over six years and to repeal the commercial activity tax after 2029.
CURRENT STATUS 11/20/2024 - Senate Ways and Means, (First Hearing)
MINIMUM WAGE-EITC
(BLESSING III L)To modify the state's earned income tax credit, to increase the basic state minimum hourly wage, and to declare an emergency.
CURRENT STATUS 5/22/2024 - Senate Ways and Means, (Second Hearing)
AUTHORIZE TAX CREDIT-HOUSING BASED ON INCOME
(BLESSING III L, CRAIG H)To authorize a refundable income tax credit or rebate for homeowners and renters whose property taxes or a portion of their rent exceed five per cent of their income.
CURRENT STATUS 6/25/2024 - Senate Ways and Means, (Second Hearing)
REGULATION, TAXATION-MARIJUANA, CANNABIS, HEMP
(SCHURING K, HUFFMAN S)To modify the regulation and taxation of medical marijuana, adult use cannabis, and hemp.
CURRENT STATUS 6/11/2024 - Referred to Committee Senate General Government
SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS-BIENNIUM ENDING 2025
(DOLAN M)To make certain supplemental operating appropriations for the biennium ending June 30, 2025.
CURRENT STATUS 6/12/2024 - Senate Finance, (Second Hearing)
CAPITAL BUDGET
(DOLAN M)To amend Sections 307.80 and 423.120 of H.B. 33 of the 135th General Assembly to provide authorization and conditions for the operation of certain state programs, to make capital appropriations and reappropriations for the biennium ending June 30, 2026, to make other appropriations, and to declare an emergency.
CURRENT STATUS 6/25/2024 - Referred to Committee Senate Finance
LEGISLATIVE CODE OF ETHICS
(SCHURING K)To adopt the Legislative Code of Ethics for the members and employees of
both chambers of the 135th General Assembly, employees of any legislative
agency, and candidates for the 136th General Assembly.
CURRENT STATUS 5/24/2023 - ADOPTED BY HOUSE; Vote 88-0
Week in ReviewThursday, July 3, 2025
AMERICA 250-OHIO
As celebrations are
planned throughout the state for Ohio's celebration of America's
semiquincentennial celebration next year, the Ohio Department of Natural
Resources (ODNR) and Scouting America are inviting scouts from around the state
to celebrate the history of conservation during the Heart of It All Jamboree at
Salt Fork State Park in May 2026. The Heart of It All Jamboree will allow older
scouts (Webelos and up) to tent camp at Salt Fork State Park from Friday, May
1, 2026 through Sunday, May 3, 2026, while Bear scouts and lower are invited to
attend via a day pass on Saturday, May 2, 2026.
ARTS, SPORTS AND
ENTERTAINMENT
The city of Cleveland will once again be home
to a Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) team. Cleveland is one of
three cities that will get an expansion team in the near future, the WNBA
announced Monday. "The WNBA's return to Cleveland marks a pivotal moment
for women's sports. Years from now, we will reflect on this day as a truly
monumental point in Cleveland sports history," Rock Entertainment Group
Chair Dan Gilbert said. Gilbert also owns the NBA's Cleveland Cavaliers.
FY26-27 BUDGET
Attorney General Dave Yost
late Friday sent a letter to Gov. Mike DeWine urging him to veto the provisions
in the FY26-27 operating budget, HB96 (Stewart), regarding the use of
"taxpayers' unclaimed funds for the Browns' Brook Park Stadium
project." Yost writes, "I don't have a vote or a veto in the
legislative process, but like every citizen, I have a voice. I oppose not only
this funding mechanism but also its intent: billionaires should finance their
own stadiums -- full stop. Ohio taxpayers cannot be left on the sidelines while
the wealthiest score with public money."
Gov. Mike DeWine signed the
FY26-27 biennial budget bill, HB96 (Stewart), late Monday and struck out language
on 67 topics with line-item vetoes, the most of his governorship. Key policies
surviving the veto process were the phase-in of a flat-rate income tax over the
coming biennium, and the use of unclaimed funds money to finance a new
Cleveland Browns stadium and seed a new funding pool for future stadium
projects.
Among the most notable of
his vetoes were those deleting property tax relief policies, including a
carryover balance cap for school districts, authority for county budget
commissions to reduce levy rates, abolition of certain levy types and inclusion
of additional levies in calculation of the 20-mill floor for school funding.
DeWine at a Tuesday news conference said lawmakers had developed “thoughtful”
property tax proposals but ultimately the collective effect of them would have
been too much for schools to withstand all at once. He pledged to establish a
working group to address property tax concerns in the coming weeks.
DeWine expressed his
support Tuesday for a policy to ban the use of Supplemental Nutrition
Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for sugar-sweetened beverages,
notwithstanding his veto of related language in the new operating budget. In
addition to signing HB96 late Monday, DeWine also signed an executive order
setting up a workgroup on the topic and specifying the timeline for seeking a
federal waiver to implement the ban. DeWine said Tuesday that budget language
requiring pursuit of the waiver added "complexity" that might
ultimately have delayed implementation. The workgroup includes cabinet
officials, health and nutrition providers, retailers and beverage producers.
IT’S IN THE FY26-27
BUDGET
Medicaid, utility regulators and the justice system are in for some
special scrutiny this biennium after the General Assembly outlined a few
specific areas in which it wants Auditor Keith Faber to conduct performance
audits. Included in HB96 (Stewart) are a combination performance and fiscal
audit of Medicaid’s Next Generation managed care system; an audit of Medicaid
aged, blind and disabled (ABD) enrollment similar to that proposed in HB356
(Dovilla); a combination performance and fiscal audit of the Ohio Judicial
Conference; a performance audit of the indigent defense system; and a
performance audit of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, including the Ohio
Power Siting Board.
CHILDREN/FAMILIES
The Ohio Department of Youth Services (DYS)
recently celebrated the graduation of 21 detainees at Luther E. Ball High
School in Cuyahoga County with 100 family members, friends and well-wishers.
Credentials included 11 diplomas and 10 GEDs. The ceremony highlighted
graduates, educational staff, faculty and keynote speaker Rep. Juanita Brent
(D-Cleveland). DYS Director Amy Ast encouraged graduates not to forget the
strength of their character.
The Ohio Department of Children and Youth
(DCY) recently revamped how its main telephone line directs callers to the
service or office they need. Effective Monday, June 23, DCY updated operations
of 844-234-KIDS (5437) to "clearly direct callers to Early Care and
Education, Family Support, Community Engagement and other key divisions,"
a memo from the department states.
The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) is
looking for feedback on the Title V Maternal and Child Health Services Block
Grant Program through their public comment survey HERE. The federal Maternal and Child Health (MCH)
Services Block Grant Program is authorized under Title V of the Social Security
Act to ensure the health and well-being of women, mothers, infants, children,
including children with special health care needs, adolescents, and their
families. ODH is the authorized Title V agency in Ohio. Title V initiatives
play a leading role in improving maternal and child health, such as reducing
infant mortality, increasing access to care, and improving coordinated care for
children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN).
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT/URBAN
REVITALIZATION
Gov. Mike DeWine's administration announced
Monday the approval of assistance for a manufacturing project in Coshocton
expected to create 89 new jobs and retain four jobs. It was the only economic
development project reviewed by the Ohio Tax Credit Authority (TCA) during its
monthly meeting. Fox Tank Company expects to generate nearly $7.4 million in
new annual payroll and retain $416,000 in existing payroll as a result of the
company's new location in Coshocton. The company is a manufacturer of steel storage
tanks and ASME certified pressure vessels for the oil and gas industry. Fox
Tank is acquiring assets from a recently closed company and relocating its
manufacturing operations closer to the region's shale, expanding Fox Tank's
presence and capabilities in the industry. TCA approved a 1.48 percent,
eight-year Job Creation Tax Credit for the project, with an estimated value of
$760,000.
Ohio's Ice Cream Trail is back for 2025, with
TourismOhio expanding the selections to include 150 stops across the state just
in time for National Ice Cream Month in July. Launched by the state's tourism
arm in 2018 with 15 shops, the trail has become a statewide summer tradition.
The Ohio Ice Cream Trail highlights family-owned shops, beloved local
favorites, and nationally recognized Ohio chains.
JobsOhio Monday released its 2024 annual
report, which included a strategic plan discussed by President and CEO J.P.
Nauseef at a board meeting in May. The report noted a range of economic
development projects secured during the year as well, including Anduril
Industries.
Representatives from the Ohio Department of
Natural Resources (ODNR) and local partner organizations broke ground Tuesday
in Glouster on a community development program intended to serve the 1,600
residents of the village and mitigate the socio-economic impact of the decline
of the region's coal mining industry. The project will transform the Knights of
Pythias building into a small business startup space, a remote work center and
community coworking space. The building will also house a venue for food-based
entrepreneurs in a shared kitchen environment that can house six businesses.
The goal of the latter is to bring fresh produce and local food options to the
community. The program will also see upgrades to Glouster Memorial Park,
including a new information office with extended storage space, grading and
turf improvements to the park's existing baseball fields and new playground
equipment.
EDUCATION
National Life Group, a financial services company, is taking
applications for supply grant awards for K-12 educators. Ten applicants will be
selected for $500 grants for school supplies. Applicants can also be entered
into the Lifechanger of the Year program, which provides additional recognition
for educators and the chance to win prizes of up to $20,000 to share with their
schools. The deadline to apply is Friday, Aug. 15. More information is HERE.
ELECTIONS 2026
Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel routinely declined to
talk about his political future in the past few months, saying his focus was
squarely on the state budget. With HB96 (Stewart) signed by Gov. Mike DeWine
late Monday, Tressel was asked his plans for 2026, but he again demurred.
"Well, you're not going to get a headline from me here today. This is
about the budget," Tressel said.
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton
announced Tuesday the hiring of Phil Stein as campaign manager. Stein most
recently served as a senior advisor to Virgina State Sen. Ghazala Hashmi during
her successful campaign for the Democratic nomination for that state's
lieutenant governor. He has also worked on various winning campaigns, including
U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids' win in a historically red district, and Abby
Finkenauer's congressional win in 2018.
Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek
Ramaswamy announced Tuesday that his campaign has raised $9.7 million in the
first four months of his bid. The campaign said the record-breaking sum was
further bolstered by a late-June fundraising surge "that exceeded
expectations." Non-judicial statewide and legislative campaigns must
report fundraising and spending totals for the first six months of this year by
Thursday, July 31, as part of required semiannual filings.
Republican Ohio Senate candidate and former
state Rep. Craig Riedel announced Tuesday that his campaign has raised more
than $250,000 in the first three months of his campaign. Riedel's announcement
came ahead of the Thursday, July 31, semiannual campaign finance filings
required of non-judicial statewide and legislative campaigns. Riedel, who is
seeking the nomination for term-limited Senate President Rob McColley's
(R-Napoleon) seat, said the $250,000 total does not include any self-funding.
Ben Weber, a constitutional attorney,
announced Tuesday that he will seek the Republican nomination for the 86th
House District, a seat currently held by Rep. Tracy Richardson (R-Marysville),
who is term-limited. Weber said he is running "to restore common sense,
defend Ohio families, and fight radical left-wing policies." He dubbed
himself as a "strong original supporter of President Donald Trump and the
America-First, Ohio-First movement."
EMPLOYMENT/UNEMPLOYMENT
A trial judge was right to order Gov. Mike
DeWine to reverse course and seek funding for unemployment compensation
benefits under a pandemic-era program that he withdrew the state from early,
the 10th District Court of Appeals ruled Monday.
ENERGY/UTILITIES
One of two final witnesses in FirstEnergy's 133-HB6 (Callender-Wilkins)
bribery hearings has reignited questions about fired company CEO Chuck Jones'
now-infamous text on the "burning" or quashing of the utility's final
distribution modernization rider (DMR) report by late Chairman Sam Randazzo of
the Public Utility Commission of Ohio (PUCO). The illegal charge produced a
half-billion-dollar windfall the utility has never refunded. Managing Director
Paul Corey of independent accounting company Oxford Advisors testified during
PUCO hearings last Friday that commission staff who had met with Randazzo
instructed him in 2020 to purge proposed consumer protections from the interim
audit report and, by definition, from the final DMR report, which has never
been filed.
GOVERNOR
The governor signed the following bills, which all
become effective in 90 days except for the ones noted:
- HB80 INDUSTRIAL COMMISSION BUDGET (STEWART)
To make appropriations for the Industrial Commission for the biennium beginning
July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2027, and to provide authorization and
conditions for the operation of Commission programs. Eff. 7/1/25
- HB81 BWC BUDGET (STEWART) To make
appropriations for the Bureau of Workers' Compensation for the biennium
beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2027, to provide authorization and
conditions for the operation of the Bureau's programs, and to make changes to
the Workers' Compensation Law. Eff. 7/1/25
- HB96 OPERATING BUDGET (STEWART) To make
operating appropriations for the biennium beginning July 1, 2025, and ending
June 30, 2027, to levy taxes, and to provide authorization and conditions for
the operation of state programs. Eff. 7/1/25
- HB50 ROAD DESIGNATION-PFC JOHN WAYNE RICHARD
(KING) To designate a portion of State Route 47 in Darke County as the
"PFC John Wayne Richard Memorial Highway."
- HB64 HUNTING, FISHING LICENSE AGE DISCOUNTS (D.
THOMAS-DEETER) To allow Ohio residents who are 65 and up, instead of 66 and up,
to qualify for discounted hunting and fishing licenses and permits.
- HB65 DAY, WEEK DESIGNATIONS-AGRICULTURE
(KLOPFENSTEIN-PETERSON) To make specified day and week designations relating to
agriculture and to name this act the Agriculture Appreciation Act.
- SB6 MAKE CHANGES-BUILDING INSPECTIONS
(ROEGNER) To make changes to the law relating to building inspections.
- SB27 DESIGNATE AMELOBLASTOMA AWARENESS DAY
(JOHNSON) To designate March 20 as "Ameloblastoma Awareness Day."
- SB39 REGARDING DISPLAY-VETERANS' BENEFITS
(JOHNSON-CRAIG) Regarding the creation and display of a poster containing
information on benefits and services for veterans.
- SB100 EXCLUDE AGRICULTURAL
NONPROFITS-INSURANCE REGULATIONS (MANCHESTER) To exclude nonprofit agricultural
membership organizations from insurance regulations.
- SB114 PROHIBIT LAW ENFORCEMENT QUOTAS (PATTON)
To prohibit law enforcement agencies from using quotas for arrests and
citations.
- SB138 MODIFY ADAMH SERVICES LAWS (JOHNSON) To
modify various laws regarding boards of alcohol, drug addiction, and mental
health services and to impose penalties for not registering recovery housing
residences.
- SB147 LAW CHANGES-WASTE MANAGEMENT (REINEKE)
To make changes to the laws governing the transfer and disposal of solid waste
and construction and demolition debris and to provide for new procedures
governing a county's withdrawal from a joint solid waste management district
Appointments made over the week include the following:
- Deborah L. Cook of
Akron (Summit County) to the University of Akron Board of Trustees for a term
beginning July 2, 2025, and ending July 1, 2031 and Jordyn C. Miklinski of
Akron (Summit County) as a student member of the Board of Trustees for a term
beginning July 2, 2025, and ending July 1, 2027.
- Megan M. Lashutka of
Upper Arlington (Franklin County) to the Ohio University Board of Trustees for
a term beginning June 27, 2025, and ending May 13, 2034 and Mark C. Arnold of
Columbus (Franklin County) as a trustee for a term beginning June 27, 2025, and
ending May 13, 2027.
- Larry A. Sheakley of
Cincinnati (Hamilton County) to the University of Cincinnati Board of Trustees
for a term beginning June 20, 2025, and ending Jan. 1, 2034 and Riya J. Patel
of West Chester (Butler County) as a student member of the Board of Trustees
for a term beginning June 27, 2025, and ending May 13, 2027.
- Mark E. Remeis of
Bowling Green (Wood County) to the Bowling Green State University Board of
Trustees for a term beginning June 27, 2025, and ending May 16, 2034 and
Magnolia J. McMillan of Columbus (Franklin County) as a student member of the
Board of Trustees for a term beginning June 27, 2025, and ending May 16, 2027.
- Ervan D. Rodgers II
of Westerville (Franklin County) to the Central State University Board of
Trustees for a term beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2031.
- Elizabeth J. Ferris
of Springboro (Warren County) reappointed to the Wright State University Board
of Trustees for a term beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2031 and
Ella Vaught of Xenia (Greene County) has been appointed as a student member of
the Board of Trustees for a term beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30,
2027.
- Markee L. Dennis of
Columbus (Franklin County) reappointed to the Shawnee State University Board of
Trustees for a term beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2031 and Chloe
M. Wilbur of Wellston (Jackson County) as a student member of the Board of
Trustees for a term beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2027.
- Michael A. Peterson
of Massillon (Stark County) reappointed to the Youngstown State University
Board of Trustees for a term beginning June 27, 2025, and ending May 1, 2034
and Nadia C. Zarbaugh of Poland (Mahoning County) as a student member of the
Board of Trustees for a term beginning June 27, 2025, and ending May 1, 2027.
- Shawn M. Riley of
Gates Mills (Cuyahoga County) reappointed to the Kent State University Board of
Trustees for a term beginning June 27, 2025, and ending May 16, 2034.
- Patrick C. Arp of
Mason (Warren County) as a student member to the Ohio State University Board of
Trustees for a term beginning June 27, 2025, and ending May 13, 2027.
- Abigail L. Blackburn
of North Canton (Stark County) as a student member to the Cleveland State
University Board of Trustees for a term beginning June 27, 2025, and ending May
1, 2027.
- Guido Shero of
Medina (Medina County) as a student member to the Northeast Ohio Medical
University Board of Trustees for a term beginning June 30, 2025, and ending
June 29, 2027.
- Ashton Widenhoefer
of Toledo (Lucas County) as a student member to the University of Toledo Board
of Trustees for a term beginning July 2, 2025, and ending July 1, 2027.
- J.P. Nauseef of Dayton (Montgomery County)
and Lori M. Gillett of Westerville (Franklin County) reappointed to the
JobsOhio Board of Directors for terms beginning July 6, 2025, and ending July
5, 2029 and Lillian A. Kuri of Cleveland (Cuyahoga County) appointed for a term
beginning June 27, 2025, and ending July 5, 2027.
- Beth Waldren of
Galena (Delaware County) reappointed and Alana M. Tucker of Cincinnati
(Hamilton County) and James P. Trakas of Independence (Cuyahoga County)
appointed to the Ohio Arts Council for terms beginning July 2, 2025, and ending
July 1, 2030.
- Elizabeth A. Henrich
of Marysville (Union County) to the RecoveryOhio Advisory Council for a term
beginning June 27, 2025, and continuing at the pleasure of the Governor.
- Stephanie L.
Meredith of Columbus (Franklin County) to the Advisory Board of the Governor's
Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives for a term beginning June 27,
2025, and ending May 4, 2026.
- Colleen Shay Murray
of Huron (Erie County) reappointed to the Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure
Commission for a term beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2030.
- Michael S. Hoy of
Columbus (Franklin County) to the Small Business Advisory Council for a term
beginning June 27, 2025, and continuing at the pleasure of the Governor.
- Kirk M. Herath of
Columbus (Franklin County) to the Cybersecurity and Fraud Advisory Board for a
term beginning June 27, 2025, and continuing at the pleasure of the Governor.
- Tedd E. Frazier of
Jackson (Jackson County) to the Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission
for a term beginning June 27, 2025, and ending Sept. 3, 2025 and Jane M. Hanlin
of Toronto (Jefferson County) for a term beginning June 27, 2025, and ending
Sept. 3, 2027.
- Barbara A. Powers of
Columbus (Franklin County) appointed and Timothy G. Anderson of Athens (Athens
County) and Paul B. Graham of Worthington (Franklin County) reappointed to the
Ohio Historic Site Preservation Advisory Board for terms beginning June 27,
2025, and ending Jan. 14, 2028.
GREAT LAKES
The Western Basin of Lake Erie will see a
mild to moderate harmful algal bloom (HAB) this summer, according to the
official forecast from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA). The bloom is expected to measure a 3.0 on the HAB severity index, with
a potential range of 2.0 to 4.0, NOAA scientist Rick Stumpf said during a press
conference on Thursday. The HAB severity index is based on the bloom's biomass
during the peak 30 days of the bloom. Moderate blooms have an index of 3.0 to
5.0, while an index above 5.0 indicates more severe HABs. The largest Lake Erie
HABs occurred in 2011 and 2015, with severity indexes of 10 and 10.5,
respectively.
HANNAH NEWS’ MEET THE FRESHMEN
Rep. Kellie Deeter (R-Norwalk) says her
chosen field has been neglected for over a century and is in sore need of a
legislative fix. That's not her election to House District 54 but her primary
career as a CRNA and owner of Firelands Anesthesia Associates and Firelands
Medispa in Huron County, where she had campaigned for termed-out Rep. Dick
Stein before succeeding him in the last general election.
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) updated its weekly West Nile virus
data Friday, showing 19 pools have been detected as positive in eight counties.
That reflected an increase of five new pools compared to the June 20 data of 14
pools in eight counties. No human West Nile cases have been identified.
HIGHER EDUCATION
Gov. Mike DeWine announced the appointment Monday of former state
legislator and U.S. Rep. Patrick J. Tiberi to the Ohio State University (OSU)
Board of Trustees. Tiberi has been president and CEO of the Ohio Business
Roundtable since 2018. He previously represented Ohio in the U.S. House of
Representatives from 2001-2018, following four terms in the Ohio House from
1993-2000, during which time he served as House Majority Leader.
IMMIGRATION
A recent poll by Quinnipiac University found
64 percent of respondents preferring to give most undocumented immigrants in
the U.S. a pathway to legal status, while 31 percent say they prefer deporting
most undocumented immigrants. According to the pollster, the latest figure is
up from a December Quinnipiac Poll, where 55 percent of respondents said they
prefer giving most undocumented immigrants a pathway to legal status, with 36
percent preferring to deport most undocumented immigrants
JUDICIAL
The Ohio Supreme Court Task Force on Juvenile
Diversion's final report says early interventions that keep minors out of court
are foundational to its final report and key to "produc[ing] productive
adults" -- Judge David Hejmanowski's reference point for 10
recommendations as task force chair. Nearly 30 percent of his responding
colleagues do not use pre-initial appearance diversion (PIAD), however, and
under 20 percent personally rule on alternative interventions that don't
require a juvenile court appearance.
MARIJUANA/HEMP
While some results of adult use cannabis
legalization were not as bad as they expected, Ohio school principals remain
concerned about how the policy is affecting their students, according to a new
survey from the Ohio State University Moritz College of Law's Drug Enforcement
and Policy Center (DEPC).
NATURAL RESOURCES
Because marina owners are in a unique position to take a stand against
trash and litter in Ohio waterways, the Ohio Clean Marinas Program recently
hosted several of the state's marina operators at a workshop at the Ohio
Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Old Woman Creek National Estuarine
Research Reserve near Huron for an up-close look at innovative cleanup
technologies.
A female black bear in Northeast Ohio was fitted with a GPS collar recently
as part of an effort to track the species' expanding range in the state. The
GPS collar will remotely transmit location data to help researchers learn about
the habitat use and preferences of the individual bear. The same project has
been tracking a male bear in Northeast Ohio since July 2024. In addition to
tracking the bears' movement and reproduction, the project hopes to estimate
Ohio's black bear trajectories, habitat suitability and factors impacting
human-bear conflicts.
NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS
The Columbus
Metropolitan Club's annual "State of Nonprofits" recent discussion included
a look at how the sector faces particular uncertainty around ongoing changes in
federal government funding and executive agency activities affecting them.
Panelists included Tom Schmid, president and CEO of the Columbus Zoo and
Aquarium; Joe Gottron, president and CEO of Gladden Community House; Denise
Robinson, president and CEO of Alvis; and Julie Fletcher, director of community
impact at the Crane Group.
PEOPLE
The Ohio State Bar Association (OSBA) announced Tuesday that Akron
attorney William G. Chris had begun his term as president for the next two
years, saying he has a "strong history of involvement" with the
organization including serving on its board of governors as a representative
for Summit and Portage counties.
POLLS/STUDIES
A poll released last
week by Quinnipiac University finds a majority of respondents opposed U.S.
military strikes on nuclear sites inside Iran, and a majority have concerns
about the U.S. getting drawn into a war with Iran. The poll, conducted among
979 self-identified registered voters nationwide from Sunday, June 22 through
Tuesday, June 24, found 42 percent of respondents supporting the U.S. in
joining Israel in military strikes on Iran's nuclear sites, while 51 percent
oppose it.
With Major League
Baseball recently removing a lifetime ban for former Cincinnati Reds star
player and manager Pete Rose in the wake of his death last year, a recent poll
by Quinnipiac University found 60 percent believe he should be in the Hall of
Fame. The all-time hits leader had been banned from the sport for gambling on
games while he was a manager of the Reds, but respondents to the Quinnipiac
Poll said 60 percent to 27 percent that Rose should be in the Baseball Hall of
Fame.
PUBLIC SAFETY
The Ohio State Highway
Patrol's (OSHP) 176th class graduated from the OSHP Training Academy on Friday,
June 20, the agency announced. The 18 individuals gradated after 28 weeks of
"intense training," OSHP said. Rep. Haraz Ghanbari (R-Perrysburg)
delivered the commencement address, while Fairfield County Court of Common
Pleas Judge David Trimmer issued the oath of office.
The DeWine administration
and Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) issued statements Tuesday calling on Ohio
drivers to follow posted speed limits during the summer travel season, noting
they are "carefully determined" through factors including road
design, traffic volume and surrounding environment. "Speed-related crashes
are preventable, and slowing down could save your life or the life of a loved
one," said Gov. Mike DeWine. "Speed limits are there for everyone's
safety, and I encourage all drivers to remain fully attentive to the road and
adhere to posted speed limits."
AAA Ohio is estimating
3.45 million Ohioans will travel for the upcoming July 4 holiday, with 3.1
million driving to their destinations. With roads expected to be congested,
state and public safety officials are urging Ohioans to take precautions and
plan ahead before traveling. Kara Hitchens, public affairs manager for AAA,
said that across the country, 72.2 million are expected to travel for the
holiday weekend. Of those, 71 million will be driving.
The Ohio Department of
Commerce (DOC) Division of State Fire Marshal recently issued a reminder for
Ohioans to use fireworks safely and responsibly during July 4 celebrations.
Ohio Fire Code allows for use of 1.4G consumer-grade fireworks on certain dates
including July 3-5 from 4 to 11 p.m. unless prohibited by local laws. However,
the State Fire Marshal (SFM) noted, fireworks pose "significant safety
risks" if they are used irresponsibly. In 2024, the SFM received reports
of 135 fireworks-related incidents, including 32 that led to structure fires
and over $760,000 in damages. Nationally, over 9,700 people were treated for
injuries related to fireworks in 2023 and eight people died.
Gov. Mike DeWine, Lt.
Gov. Jim Tressel, and the Ohio Department of Public Safety (ODPS) Wednesday
announced the launch of a new seatbelt campaign as seatbelt usage in Ohio has
remained below the national average for more than a decade. The new "Hard
Hitter" seatbelt campaign uses football imagery to illustrate the physical
impact of an unbuckled vehicle occupant on another passenger during a traffic
accident. A crash at speeds of 50 miles per hour has the potential to hurl an
unrestrained occupant with eight times the force of a 240-pound linebacker
running at full speed.
Ahead of the July 4
weekend, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) has joined Operation
Dry Water, a national campaign focused on educating boaters about the dangers
of boating under the influence (BUI). "Ohio's lakes and rivers are perfect
places to enjoy time with friends and family, but safety must always come
first," said Cindy Bellar, ODNR boating law administrator. "Boating
under the influence puts everyone at risk. That's why we continue to push for
smart choices like boating sober, wearing a life jacket, and taking a boater
education course. We want every trip on the water to be a safe one."
STATE GOVERNMENT
The Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) announced Tuesday that it had released
project agreements for the most recent annual round of infrastructure funding,
totaling $322.6 million. The projects were selected by 19 district integrating
committees based on a variety of factors including health and safety, age and
condition, and number of users.
WORKERS’ COMPENSATION
The week of
Independence Day marks an important date for the Ohio Bureau of Workers'
Compensation (BWC) and its 258,000 private employers, who saw a rate cut of 6
percent and an agency launch of the workplace Substance Use Prevention and
Recovery (SUPR) program on Tuesday, July 1.