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.
Summary: 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.
Summary: 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.
Summary: 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.
Summary: SB56 revises medical and adult-use marijuana laws in Ohio, consolidates the administration of the marijuana control program, and establishes a 15% excise tax on adult-use marijuana sales. The bill also includes provisions for licensing cultivators, processors, and dispensaries, as well as regulations for the cultivation and use of marijuana. It mandates criminal records checks for applicants and sets penalties for violations of the law.
Summary: The bill regulates imitation meat and egg products by requiring educational institutions and state colleges to adopt policies that prevent the purchase of misbranded meat or egg products and cultivated-protein food products. It establishes penalties for violations and mandates compliance with labeling standards for such products.
Summary: The bill amends sections of the Revised Code to adjust age requirements for kindergarten admission, allowing children who are five years old by a specified date to enroll. It also permits admission for children younger than five under certain conditions, such as enrollment in Montessori programs, and establishes reporting requirements for community schools regarding student demographics and special education services.
Summary: The bill modifies the process for property tax sales-assessment ratio studies by requiring the tax commissioner to base these studies solely on a representative sampling of open market arms' length sales from the previous three years. It also establishes procedures for appeals regarding changes in property assessments and mandates compliance timelines for county auditors. The amendments apply to tax year 2025 and subsequent years.
Summary: The bill limits the ability of school districts in Ohio to reallocate unvoted property tax millage and includes certain property and school district income taxes in the calculation of a school district's effective millage floor. It requires the tax commissioner to determine tax reduction factors and mandates public hearings for certain tax levy changes. The amendments apply to tax years beginning on or after the effective date of the bill.
Summary: The bill prescribes limitations on contracts between intercollegiate athletes and third parties regarding the use of the athletes' name, image, or likeness. It prohibits contracts that extend beyond the athlete's eligibility and restricts compensation related to the athlete's name, image, or likeness after eligibility ends. Violations render such contracts void.
Summary: HB186 amends various sections of the Ohio Revised Code to authorize a reduction in school district property taxes based on a millage floor that limits tax increases according to inflation, and requires adjustments in the school funding formula accordingly. The bill applies to property classified as residential/agricultural and nonresidential/agricultural within affected school districts, allowing for tax reductions over a specified period. It also includes provisions for tax commissioner determinations and adjustments related to property valuations and tax rates.
Summary: The bill requires nonresidential construction contractors, subcontractors, and labor brokers to use the E-Verify system to confirm the employment eligibility of their employees. It mandates record-keeping of verification for three years and imposes penalties for non-compliance, including fines and potential revocation of licenses. Exceptions apply if prior verification has been completed or if federal law does not require re-verification.
Summary: The bill amends various sections of the Ohio Revised Code to revise laws governing dogs, particularly focusing on the registration and regulation of dangerous and vicious dogs. It establishes requirements for dog owners, including registration fees, penalties for non-compliance, and provisions for the humane treatment of dogs. Additionally, it outlines the responsibilities of county dog wardens and the process for designating dogs as dangerous or vicious.
Summary: The bill mandates that county and municipal correctional facilities, as well as state correctional institutions, provide female inmates with free access to feminine hygiene products and at least one shower per day, except during emergencies. Facilities must implement policies to ensure non-discriminatory access to these products and maintain sanitary disposal methods.
Summary: HB309 amends various sections of the Ohio Revised Code related to county budget commissions, property taxation, and the distribution of local government and public library funds. It modifies the processes for calculating and certifying funds payable to school districts and establishes requirements for tax budgets and levies by subdivisions. The bill also allows for alternative methods of apportionment for public library funds, subject to approval by local authorities.
Summary: HB335 modifies the law governing county budget commissions, property taxation, county sales taxation, and alternative apportionment formulas for local government and public library funds. It includes provisions for tax reductions, definitions of property classifications, and establishes procedures for tax levies and budget adjustments. The bill also outlines the responsibilities of county auditors and the tax commissioner in determining tax rates and reductions.
Summary: The bill amends sections of the Revised Code to require individuals applying for nursing licensure or certificates to submit to a criminal records check. It specifies the conditions under which the Board of Nursing may deny or revoke licenses based on criminal convictions and establishes confidentiality for the results of these checks. The bill also allows for disciplinary actions against nursing professionals based on findings of fraud or misconduct.
Summary: This bill allows natural gas companies to implement alternative rate plans specifically for large load customers, modifies the process for valuating natural gas company property, and establishes criteria for settlements in public utility commission proceedings. It includes provisions for the approval of commercial agreements with large load customers and ensures that such agreements do not negatively impact non-large load customers financially.
Summary: This bill designates a portion of State Route 2 in Lake County as the 'Specialist Lloyd Andrew Sellers Memorial Highway' and allows the director of transportation to erect suitable markers indicating its name.
Summary: This bill designates March 9th as '6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion Day' to honor the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, the only all-Black women's unit to serve overseas during World War II.
Summary: The bill authorizes the Governor to convey state-owned land in Greene and Tuscarawas counties, as well as property to the Eastland-Fairfield Career and Technical School District and the Groveport Madison Local School District. The conveyance includes all improvements and is subject to existing leases, easements, and restrictions. The sale process involves sealed bids, with a requirement for the purchaser to pay associated costs and a deposit upon acceptance of the bid.
Summary: The bill requires all marked absent voter's ballots to be delivered to the board of elections by the close of the polls on Election Day to be counted. It specifies the identification requirements for voters and outlines the procedures for returning ballots, including the use of secure receptacles monitored by video surveillance. Ballots received after the deadline will not be counted but will be preserved until destruction is permitted.
Summary: 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.
Summary: 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.
Summary: 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.
Summary: 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.
Summary: 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.
