Legislation Tracking – Ohio House

The Ohio Assembly can have bills in process across all committees in both the House of Representatives and Senate. Here is a list of the bills the LPO political team are tracking.

If you are aware of a bill in committee that you would like to see added, reach out.

These bills have been summarized only.

• HB634 Regards eligibility to participate in interscholastic athletics
  The bill amends section 3313.64 and enacts section 3313.5321 of the Revised Code to establish that transfer students cannot be penalized or restricted from participating in interscholastic athletics unless they have prior disciplinary actions. It requires school district superintendents to issue decisions on eligibility within ten business days, or the student becomes immediately eligible. The bill also allows for the enforcement of eligibility rules related to age, safety, and academics. (Introduced In House) Legislature reference...
• HB633 Enact the The Fee Transparency Act
  The Fee Transparency Act prohibits suppliers from advertising, displaying, or offering prices for goods or services without including all mandatory fees and charges in a clear and conspicuous manner. Exceptions include certain financial transactions, broadband services, and food delivery platforms. Violations are considered unconscionable acts in consumer transactions. (Introduced In House) Legislature reference...
• HB632 Allow driver's license or ID card to show Gold Star Family status
  The bill allows a driver's license or state identification card to indicate that the holder is a Gold Star Family member, defined as an immediate family member of a person who died in a combat zone while serving in the U.S. armed forces. The registrar of motor vehicles will implement this change, requiring documentation to verify the Gold Star Family status. (Introduced In House) Legislature reference...
• HB631 Regards underage possession, consumption, purchase of marijuana
  HB631 amends sections 3796.06 and 3796.99 of the Revised Code to modify prohibitions regarding underage possession, consumption, and purchase of marijuana. It establishes penalties for violations, including misdemeanors for underage possession and consumption, and allows for diversion programs for minors. The bill also sets limits on the tetrahydrocannabinol content of marijuana products. (Introduced In House) Legislature reference...
• HB630 Regards police escorts for farm equipment, agricultural vehicles
  The bill amends section 4513.34 of the Revised Code to provide regulations for police escorts for farm equipment and agricultural vehicles. It allows for the issuance of special permits for vehicles exceeding weight limits and specifies conditions under which law enforcement escorts are not required. The bill also establishes permit fees and conditions for the movement of these vehicles on state highways. (Introduced In House) Legislature reference...
• HB629 Enact the Pharmacist Prescribing Authority Act
  The bill authorizes pharmacists to treat minor health conditions and prescribe medications for specific conditions, including influenza, urinary tract infections, and HIV prevention, among others. It establishes protocols for pharmacists to follow, requires training for certain tests, and mandates coordination with primary health care providers for follow-up care. The bill also includes provisions for insurance reimbursement for services provided by pharmacists. (Introduced In House) Legislature reference...
• HB628 License artificial intelligence risk mitigation organizations
  The bill establishes a licensing framework for independent verification organizations that assess artificial intelligence models and applications for risk mitigation. It outlines the application process, requirements for verification, and the authority of the attorney general to license and revoke these organizations. The bill also mandates ongoing monitoring and reporting by the licensed organizations. (Introduced In House) Legislature reference...
• HB627 Allow county commissioners to disapprove scenic river designation
  The bill allows county commissioners to disapprove the designation of certain watercourses as scenic rivers. It requires public notice and a resolution from the board of county commissioners to prevent the designation. The bill also stipulates that the director of natural resources must be notified if such a resolution is adopted. (Introduced In House) Legislature reference...
• HB626 Require courts to supply electronic notification of hearings
  The bill requires Ohio courts to implement an electronic notification system to remind defendants in criminal and traffic cases of their scheduled court appearances. This system will send multiple reminders via text or email, ensure compliance with consent laws, and provide information on how to resolve missed appearances. Courts must also document the effectiveness of the program and collect relevant data. (Introduced In House) Legislature reference...
• HB625 Enact the Student Athlete Mobility (SAM) Act
  The Student Athlete Mobility (SAM) Act allows students enrolled in high schools that do not offer certain team sports to petition to participate in those sports at neighboring public high schools. Beginning in the 2026-2027 school year, each school district must adopt a policy outlining the petition process, which requires approval from both the student's current school and the organization regulating interscholastic athletics. Students may not participate in the same sport at more than one school in a school year. (Introduced In House) Legislature reference...
• HB624 Regards employment under Ohio's overtime and minimum wage laws
  The bill amends Ohio's overtime and minimum wage laws, specifically clarifying the distinction between employees and independent contractors. It establishes provisions for overtime pay, exemptions for certain employees, and requirements for employers regarding record-keeping and employee information. The bill also allows for alternative overtime policies by local authorities and outlines the process for employee complaints regarding wage violations. (Introduced In House) Legislature reference...
• HB623 Require religious dietary food options in certain facilities
  The bill requires school districts, hospitals, and correctional facilities to provide religious dietary food options that meet specific religious dietary requirements. It also prohibits the misrepresentation of halal foods and establishes penalties for violations related to kosher and halal labeling. Facilities must accommodate these dietary requests upon reasonable notice. (Introduced In House) Legislature reference...
• HB622 Enact the Mental Health and Community Wellness Act
  The bill enacts the Mental Health and Community Wellness Act, which amends laws regarding competency to stand trial, establishes a pilot program for community-based correctional facilities focused on mental health and substance abuse treatment, and requires prosecutors to seek civil confinement for defendants found incompetent to stand trial for violent offenses. It includes provisions for treatment, evaluation, and potential civil commitment of defendants based on their mental health status. (Introduced In House) Legislature reference...
• HB621 Alter the law governing the regulation of pet stores
  The bill amends section 956.181 and repeals section 956.23 of the Revised Code to change the regulation of pet stores in Ohio. It establishes a pet store license fund, which will be funded by license fees and civil penalties, and specifies that the director of agriculture will use these funds for administering related regulations. The details of the specific changes to the regulation are not specified. (Introduced In House) Legislature reference...
• HB620 Prohibit financing the purchase of a dog or cat
  The bill prohibits retail sellers and lenders from financing the purchase of dogs or cats, declaring any such financing agreements void. Violators of this prohibition cannot collect any payments related to the sale or loan and may face legal actions for enforcement. The bill also allows for civil actions by borrowers who are harmed by violations. (Introduced In House) Legislature reference...
• HB619 Authorize board of elections to meet by video conference
  The bill authorizes boards of elections in Ohio to conduct meetings via video conference or similar electronic technology, while ensuring compliance with existing regulations regarding meeting conduct. (Introduced In House) Legislature reference...
• HB618 Create the Chillicothe Paints license plate
  This bill creates a specialty license plate for the Chillicothe Paints, a local baseball team, allowing vehicle owners to apply for these plates. The application process includes a contribution fee that will be deposited into the license plate contribution fund, which supports various charitable organizations and programs in Ohio. The bill outlines the fees and requirements for obtaining the license plates. (Introduced In House) Legislature reference...
• HB617 Enact the Ohio Capital Gains Tax Repeal Act
  The bill exempts capital gains from state and municipal income taxation in Ohio, effectively repealing the taxation of such gains. It amends sections 718.01 and 5747.01 of the Revised Code and repeals section 5747.79, applying to taxable years ending on or after the effective date. A report on the fiscal impact of the act is required by June 30, 2027. (Introduced In House) Legislature reference...
• HB616 Require BMV translate the Digest of Motor Vehicle Laws
  The bill requires the Bureau of Motor Vehicles to translate the Digest of Motor Vehicle Laws into additional languages, ensuring that the material is publicly available in every language used for administering driver examinations. (Introduced In House) Legislature reference...
• HB615 Enact the Retail Theft Prevention Act
  The Retail Theft Prevention Act prohibits individuals from participating in retail theft in groups, defining penalties based on the value of stolen property and the number of participants involved. It establishes various degrees of theft offenses, ranging from misdemeanors to felonies, with specific penalties for theft involving protected classes such as the elderly or disabled. The act also includes provisions for restitution and driver's license suspension for offenders under certain conditions. (Introduced In House) Legislature reference...
• HB614 Enact the Second Chance Safety Act
  The bill enacts the Second Chance Safety Act, which provides civil immunity to federally licensed firearm dealers or law enforcement agencies that enter into a firearm hold agreement with the owner of a firearm. The agreement allows the dealer or agency to take possession of the firearm for a specified period and return it afterward. It also requires the dealer or agency to provide the owner with a pamphlet containing mental health resources and firearm safety device information. (Introduced In House) Legislature reference...
• HB613 Modify tax enforcement authority
  The bill modifies the tax enforcement authority of the Ohio Department of Taxation and the Board of Tax Appeals by establishing problem resolution officers, requiring annual reports on tax audits and appeals, and setting timelines for hearings and determinations related to tax assessments and refunds. It also includes provisions for correcting assessments and managing appeals, with specific procedures for taxpayer communications and performance monitoring of tax agents. (Introduced In House) Legislature reference...
• HB612 Regards credit union share guaranty corporations
  The bill amends section 1761.10 of the Revised Code to establish requirements for credit union share guaranty corporations, including maintaining a guarantee fund at a minimum level, requiring capital contributions from participating credit unions, and allowing for special assessments and distributions based on the fund's status. It also outlines procedures for reporting defaults and the dissolution of the corporation. (Introduced In House) Legislature reference...
• HB611 Issue medical marijuana processor cultivation, dispensary license
  The bill amends sections of the Revised Code to issue cultivation and dispensary licenses for medical marijuana processors, allowing licensed processors to obtain and sell medical marijuana, and establishes a framework for the issuance of adult use cannabis licenses. It mandates compliance with specific requirements for applicants and sets a timeline for the issuance of licenses. The bill also includes provisions for the review of licenses and the establishment of an electronic database to monitor medical marijuana. (Introduced In House) Legislature reference...
• HB610 Dissolve existing academic distress commissions and repeal law
  The bill dissolves existing academic distress commissions and repeals the law that creates new commissions, allowing school districts to reassume all powers previously held by these commissions. It also declares an emergency for immediate effect, preventing the formation of new commissions. (Introduced In House) Legislature reference...