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.
Items with icons have been reviewed on whether they align with the Libertarian Party of Ohio Platform and/or National Libertarian Platform.
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Aligns and passed by House/Senate
โ๏ธ Aligns, still in committee
โ Does not Align
Check on Recent Bill Activity.
- โ SB176 Enact the Digital Fair Repair Act
The Digital Fair Repair Act requires original equipment manufacturers to provide documentation, parts, and tools for the diagnosis, maintenance, or repair of digital electronic equipment to independent repair providers and owners on fair and reasonable terms. It establishes definitions for key terms, outlines the obligations of manufacturers, and specifies exceptions for certain types of equipment. Violations of the act are considered unfair or deceptive acts, allowing for legal recourse. (Introduced In Senate) Legislature reference...- The bill promotes consumer rights and access to repair services, aligning with the Libertarian principles of individual rights and economic freedom. However, it imposes regulations on manufacturers, which may conflict with the Libertarian emphasis on minimal government intervention in markets. Both LP and LPO platforms advocate for free markets and limited government, leading to a mixed alignment score.
- Risks and Concerns:
- Potential for increased regulatory burden on manufacturers
- Risk of unintended consequences in market dynamics
- Possibility of legal disputes arising from compliance issues
- โ SB175 Establish age verification, parental consent for apps, developers
The bill establishes age verification and parental consent requirements for developers and application stores regarding the distribution of applications to minors. It mandates that application distribution providers and developers implement measures to verify the age of account holders and restrict access to certain content based on age. Violations may result in civil penalties enforced by the attorney general. (Introduced In Senate) Legislature reference...- The bill imposes government regulations on technology and parental controls, which conflicts with the Libertarian principles of personal liberty, freedom of expression, and minimal government intervention. Both the LP and LPO platforms advocate against government censorship and support individual rights, which this bill undermines.
- Risks and Concerns:
- Increased government control over technology and personal choices
- Potential for overreach in enforcing age verification
- Restriction of free expression and access to information
- โ SB174 Regards allocation of parenting responsibilities
SB174 amends various sections of the Ohio Revised Code related to parenting responsibilities, establishes a missing children clearinghouse, and outlines procedures for juvenile courts regarding child custody, support, and welfare. The bill increases government oversight in family matters, including provisions for educational programs, visitation rights, and child care regulations, while attempting to balance child protection with parental rights. (Introduced In Senate) Legislature reference...- The bill largely conflicts with Libertarian principles advocating minimal government intervention in family matters. While it addresses aspects of child welfare and some parental rights, it introduces robust government oversight and regulations that align poorly with individual autonomy. However, certain sections support community involvement and parental input, leading to a mixed alignment score.
- Risks and Concerns:
- Increased government oversight in family matters
- Potential infringement on parental rights
- Higher regulatory burden on families
- Complex legal processes affecting families' privacy and autonomy
- Misuse of information gathered by state agencies
- Judicial bias in evaluating the best interests of children
- โ SB173 Regards school district territory annexations
The bill amends section 3311.06 of the Revised Code regarding school district territory annexations, specifying conditions under which territories can be annexed to urban school districts. It requires agreements between affected school districts and outlines the process for transferring territory, including the need for state board approval and provisions for negotiations. The bill also establishes rules for the equitable division of funds and indebtedness when territory is transferred. (Introduced In Senate) Legislature reference...- The bill involves increased government control over school district territories and mandates negotiations and agreements, which conflicts with Libertarian principles of minimal government intervention and individual autonomy in property rights. The Libertarian Party of Ohio's platform also emphasizes limited government functions, which this bill does not align with.
- Risks and Concerns:
- Increased government control over local education systems
- Potential for cronyism in negotiations between school districts
- Restrictions on property rights related to school district boundaries
- โ SB172 Specify persons unlawfully present are not privileged from arrest
This bill specifies that individuals who are unlawfully present in the United States are not privileged from arrest, detention, or custody by law enforcement agencies in Ohio. It prohibits public offices and officials from granting any privileges to such individuals and mandates cooperation with immigration enforcement actions. The bill supersedes any conflicting local rules or policies. (Introduced In Senate) Legislature reference...- The bill conflicts with Libertarian principles by increasing government control over individual rights and enabling law enforcement to detain individuals based on immigration status, which undermines personal liberty and privacy rights.
- Risks and Concerns:
- Increased government overreach in personal liberties
- Potential for racial profiling and discrimination
- Erosion of trust between communities and law enforcement
- โ SB171 Enact the Public Access to Professional Sports Act
The bill conditions public funding for sports facilities on the performance of professional sports franchises, requiring them to meet specific performance criteria and ensuring public access to games through various media. It mandates community engagement activities and imposes penalties for non-compliance, including reimbursement of state funds if a franchise leaves Ohio before the lease term ends. The act is named the Public Access to Professional Sports Act and takes effect 180 days after its passage. (Introduced In Senate) Legislature reference...- The bill imposes government conditions on funding for private sports franchises, which conflicts with Libertarian principles of minimal government intervention and free market operations. It also creates potential for cronyism by tying public funds to franchise performance, which is contrary to the Libertarian emphasis on individual rights and property rights.
- Risks and Concerns:
- Increased government control over private enterprises
- Potential for cronyism and favoritism in funding decisions
- Financial penalties may discourage franchise operations
- โ๏ธ SB170 Regards investigational treatments for certain illnesses
The bill allows eligible patients with life-threatening or severely debilitating illnesses to request individualized investigational treatments from eligible facilities or manufacturers. It establishes criteria for eligibility, informed consent requirements, and clarifies that manufacturers are not obligated to provide these treatments. Additionally, it protects physicians from penalties for recommending such treatments and states that patients are responsible for associated costs. (Introduced In Senate) Legislature reference...- The bill supports individual rights to access investigational treatments, aligning with the Libertarian principles of self-ownership and personal liberty. It allows patients to make informed choices about their health care, which is consistent with the Libertarian Party's emphasis on personal responsibility and freedom from government interference. However, the requirement for informed consent and the potential for costs to be borne by patients may introduce some limitations on access.
- Risks and Concerns:
- Potential financial burden on patients for investigational treatments
- Informed consent process may be complex and burdensome
- Manufacturers are not required to provide treatments, limiting access
- โ SB17 Designate 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion Day
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. (Introduced In Senate) Legislature reference...- The bill does not align with core Libertarian principles as it involves government designation of a commemorative day, which may be seen as unnecessary government involvement in cultural recognition.
- Risks and Concerns:
- Potential for increased government involvement in cultural matters
- May set a precedent for further government designations
- โ SB169 Require training on emotional intelligence for peace officers
The bill requires peace officers in Ohio to undergo training in emotional intelligence as part of their basic training programs. The Ohio peace officer training commission will establish the rules governing this training, including the amount of training required and the timeline for completion. The bill does not grant any new arrest authority or citation powers to the commission or peace officers. (Introduced In Senate) Legislature reference...- The bill introduces a government-mandated training requirement for peace officers, which may be seen as an increase in government control over law enforcement practices. This conflicts with the Libertarian principles of minimal government intervention and individual autonomy in professional settings. Both LP and LPO platforms emphasize limited government roles, particularly in areas of personal and professional conduct.
- Risks and Concerns:
- Increased government control over law enforcement training
- Potential for mandated training to infringe on individual rights of peace officers
- Possibility of unintended consequences in law enforcement practices
- โ SB168 Regards school district acquisition of preschool class facilities
The bill establishes guidelines for school district boards of education to acquire classroom facilities for preschool programs and provides funding assistance from the Ohio facilities construction commission upon receipt of a written proposal from the district board. The proposal must detail the total funding requested and other pledged funding, and the commission will enter into an agreement with the district board regarding ownership of the facilities if the preschool program closes. (Introduced In Senate) Legislature reference...- The bill increases government involvement in education and funding for preschool programs, which conflicts with the Libertarian principles of minimal government intervention and the belief that education should be provided by the free market. Both the LP and LPO platforms advocate for limited government roles in personal and economic matters, which this bill contradicts.
- Risks and Concerns:
- Increased government control over education
- Potential for misuse of public funds
- Encouragement of dependency on government funding
- โ SB167 Require certain application store-based parental controls
The bill requires developers of applications likely to be accessed by children to implement parental controls and obtain parental consent for users under sixteen years of age starting January 1, 2026. It mandates that manufacturers of devices and application stores take steps to determine the age of users and provide features for parental supervision. The Attorney General is authorized to enforce compliance and impose penalties for violations. (Introduced In Senate) Legislature reference...- The bill imposes regulations on application developers and manufacturers, which conflicts with the Libertarian principles of minimal government intervention and individual rights. It restricts the freedom of developers and parents to manage their own applications and parental controls without government mandates.
- Risks and Concerns:
- Increased government oversight of technology and applications.
- Potential for overreach in defining what constitutes a 'covered application'.
- Burden on developers and manufacturers to comply with new regulations.
- โ SB166 Prohibit health insurance, Medicaid electronic claim fees
The bill prohibits health insurers and the Medicaid program from imposing fees for electronic claims submission by healthcare providers. It establishes that no charges, fees, or payment requirements can be levied on providers for electronic fund transfers or remittance advice transactions. The bill also outlines exceptions for certain types of Medicaid providers. (Introduced In Senate) Legislature reference...- The bill supports the reduction of costs associated with healthcare transactions, aligning with the Libertarian principles of economic freedom and minimal government interference. However, it also involves government regulation of fees, which may conflict with the Libertarian emphasis on free markets and minimal state intervention.
- Risks and Concerns:
- Potential for increased government control over healthcare transactions
- May lead to unintended consequences in the healthcare market
- โ SB165 Prohibit denial of health insurance claim for certain factors
The bill prohibits health insuring corporations and sickness and accident insurers from reducing or denying claims based on specific factors such as diagnosis codes, duration of appointments, or the absence of an emergency medical condition. It mandates coverage for emergency services without prior authorization and requires insurers to inform enrollees about their coverage and procedures. Exceptions to the coverage requirements are specified for certain types of insurance policies. (Introduced In Senate) Legislature reference...- The bill introduces regulations that may increase government control over health insurance practices, which conflicts with the Libertarian principles of minimal government intervention and free market operations. Both the LP and LPO platforms advocate for limited government involvement in personal and economic matters, suggesting that this bill may not align with their core values.
- Risks and Concerns:
- Increased government regulation of health insurance
- Potential for reduced market competition
- Possibility of higher insurance costs due to mandated coverage
- โ SB164 Regulate the use of artificial intelligence by health insurers
This bill regulates the use of artificial intelligence by health insurers in Ohio. It requires health plan issuers to report on their use of AI algorithms in decision-making processes and prohibits decisions regarding care based solely on AI results. Additionally, it mandates that determinations of medical necessity must involve a licensed physician and consider individual patient circumstances. (Introduced In Senate) Legislature reference...- The bill imposes regulations on health insurers and restricts their use of AI, which conflicts with the Libertarian principles of minimal government intervention and free market operations. Both the LP and LPO platforms advocate for limited government control over individual and business decisions.
- Risks and Concerns:
- Increased government regulation of private industry
- Potential for reduced innovation in healthcare technology
- Higher operational costs for health insurers leading to increased premiums
- โ SB163 Regards AI images, simulated child porn, replica identity fraud
The bill requires AI-generated products to have a watermark, prohibits simulated child pornography, and prohibits identity fraud using a replica of a person's identity. It establishes civil penalties for violations and allows for civil actions by aggrieved parties. The bill also outlines exceptions for certain legitimate uses of materials. (Introduced In Senate) Legislature reference...- The bill imposes regulations on AI-generated content and restricts individual freedoms related to expression and identity, which conflicts with the Libertarian Party's principles of personal liberty and freedom of expression. Both the LP and LPO platforms advocate against government censorship and regulation of communication, making the bill largely opposed to their core tenets.
- Risks and Concerns:
- Increased government control over digital content
- Potential for overreach in regulating personal expression
- Chilling effect on creativity and innovation in AI technologies
- โ SB162 Regards timing of health insurer recoupment from providers
This bill amends section 3901.388 of the Revised Code to establish that payments made by health insurers to providers are considered final two years after payment, with specific conditions for recoupment of overpayments. It requires insurers to notify providers of overpayments and allows for an appeal process without fees. Any contractual provisions contrary to these rules are deemed unenforceable. (Introduced In Senate) Legislature reference...- The bill introduces regulations on health insurer practices, which may conflict with the LP's emphasis on minimal government intervention in contracts and economic freedom. However, it provides some protections for providers, aligning partially with LPO principles regarding fair treatment in economic transactions.
- Risks and Concerns:
- Increased regulatory burden on insurers
- Potential for reduced flexibility in contract negotiations
- Possibility of unintended consequences affecting provider-insurer relationships
- โ SB161 Require ODJFS to seek permission-exclude certain items from SNAP
The bill requires the Director of Job and Family Services to seek permission from the United States Department of Agriculture to exclude specific items, including soft drinks, candy, chips, ice cream, and prepared desserts, from being purchased under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in Ohio. (Introduced In Senate) Legislature reference...- The bill restricts individual choice regarding food consumption, which conflicts with the Libertarian principles of personal liberty and self-ownership. Both the LP and LPO advocate for minimal government interference in personal decisions, including what individuals choose to consume.
- Risks and Concerns:
- Increases government control over personal choices
- May lead to further restrictions on individual rights
- Could set a precedent for additional exclusions in SNAP
- โ SB160 Regards prescription drugs and medication switching
The bill prohibits health plan issuers from increasing cost-sharing for drugs, moving drugs to more restrictive formulary tiers, or removing drugs from formularies unless specific conditions are met. It also allows for the substitution of interchangeable biological products and generically equivalent drugs, while establishing penalties for violations as unfair and deceptive practices in insurance. (Introduced In Senate) Legislature reference...- The bill imposes regulations on health plan issuers, which conflicts with the Libertarian principles of minimal government intervention in markets and personal choice. Both the LP and LPO emphasize free markets and individual rights, which this bill appears to restrict.
- Risks and Concerns:
- Increased government control over healthcare decisions
- Potential for reduced competition in the pharmaceutical market
- Unintended consequences on drug availability and pricing
- โ SB16 Establish road rules around distressed stationary vehicles
The bill requires drivers to change lanes or proceed with caution when approaching stationary vehicles in distress or certain service vehicles. If changing lanes is not possible or safe, drivers must reduce their speed and maintain a safe speed for conditions. Violations result in penalties ranging from a minor misdemeanor to a third-degree misdemeanor, depending on prior offenses. (Introduced In Senate) Legislature reference...- The bill imposes additional regulations on drivers, which may conflict with the Libertarian principles of minimal government intervention and personal responsibility. Both the LP and LPO platforms emphasize individual rights and the reduction of government control, suggesting that this bill may be seen as an overreach.
- Risks and Concerns:
- Increases government control over individual behavior
- Potentially burdensome penalties for minor infractions
- May lead to confusion among drivers regarding compliance
- โ SB159 Regards film and theater production tax credits
The bill modifies the film and theater production tax credit in Ohio, allowing production companies to apply for tax credits based on eligible expenditures for productions certified by the director of development. It also repeals the film and theater capital improvement tax credit and establishes a program for training Ohio residents in the film industry. The bill includes provisions for application processes, credit calculations, and oversight by the director of development. (Introduced In Senate) Legislature reference...- The bill promotes government involvement in the film industry through tax credits and training programs, which conflicts with Libertarian principles advocating for minimal government intervention in the economy and free markets. Both the LP and LPO platforms oppose government subsidies and interventions that distort market dynamics.
- Risks and Concerns:
- Increased government control over the film industry
- Potential for cronyism and favoritism in tax credit allocations
- Misallocation of taxpayer funds
- โ SB158 Prohibit student cellular telephone use in public schools
The bill prohibits student cellular telephone use in public schools, allowing school boards to adopt policies that may include exceptions for educational purposes or health concerns. It requires schools to post these policies and specify disciplinary measures for violations. The deadline for school districts to adopt such policies is set for July 1, 2025. (Introduced In Senate) Legislature reference...- The bill restricts individual rights by limiting students' use of personal communication devices, which conflicts with the Libertarian Party's principles of personal liberty and freedom of expression. Both platforms advocate for minimal government interference in personal choices, which this bill undermines.
- Risks and Concerns:
- Infringement on personal liberties
- Increased government control over student behavior
- Potential for inconsistent enforcement of policies
- โ SB157 Reduce statute of limitations for contract actions
This bill amends sections 2305.06 and 2305.07 of the Revised Code to reduce the statute of limitations for bringing actions upon written contracts from six years to three years, and for oral contracts from four years to two years. It also specifies the accrual of causes of action for consumer transactions. Existing sections are repealed. (Introduced In Senate) Legislature reference...- The bill's reduction of the statute of limitations may limit individuals' ability to seek redress for contract disputes, which could conflict with the Libertarian principles of personal rights and property rights. However, it does not impose new restrictions on contracts themselves, leading to a mixed alignment with both platforms.
- Risks and Concerns:
- Potentially limits individuals' rights to seek legal recourse.
- May disproportionately affect those with less access to legal resources.
- โ SB156 Regards the success sequence curriculum
The bill requires the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce to develop a 'success sequence' curriculum for grades six to twelve, which emphasizes completing high school, obtaining full-time work, and marrying before having children to reduce poverty. School districts must provide instruction aligned with this curriculum and may modify it as necessary. The department will also establish a committee for reviewing the curriculum and adopt rules for its administration. (Introduced In Senate) Legislature reference...- The bill promotes a government-mandated educational framework that emphasizes specific life choices, which conflicts with the Libertarian principles of personal liberty and parental rights. Both the LP and LPO advocate for minimal government interference in personal decisions and education, leading to a low alignment score.
- Risks and Concerns:
- Increased government control over education
- Potential infringement on parental rights
- Promotion of specific social norms
- โ SB155 Revise the real estate wholesaler law
The bill revises the law related to real estate wholesalers in Ohio, requiring wholesalers to provide a written disclosure statement to property owners before entering into contracts for residential real property. It establishes penalties for wholesalers who fail to comply with these disclosure requirements, allowing property owners to cancel contracts if disclosures are not made. The bill also outlines disciplinary actions against real estate licensees for various violations. (Introduced In Senate) Legislature reference...- The bill imposes additional regulatory requirements on real estate wholesalers, which may conflict with Libertarian principles advocating for minimal government intervention in economic activities. However, it does provide consumer protections that align with some aspects of the LPO platform, leading to a mixed alignment score.
- Risks and Concerns:
- Increased regulatory burden on real estate wholesalers
- Potential for reduced market participation due to compliance costs
- Possibility of unintended consequences affecting property transactions
- โ SB154 Regards long-term care facility residentโs room monitoring
The bill allows residents of long-term care facilities, or their designated representatives, to authorize the installation and use of electronic monitoring devices in their rooms. The costs for these devices are to be borne by the residents or their representatives, and consent from co-residents is required for shared rooms. Facilities must provide a form for authorization and cannot discriminate against residents based on their decision to use monitoring devices. (Introduced In Senate) Legislature reference...- The bill supports individual autonomy by allowing residents to choose monitoring devices, aligning with the Libertarian principle of self-ownership. However, it also imposes conditions and fees that may be seen as government interference in personal choices, leading to a mixed alignment with both LP and LPO principles.
- Risks and Concerns:
- Potential for increased surveillance leading to privacy concerns.
- Financial burden on residents for monitoring devices.
- Consent requirements may complicate personal autonomy.
- โ SB153 Require citizenship verification before an elector may vote
SB153 requires verification of an elector's citizenship before they may vote, modifying procedures regarding voter registration, voter roll maintenance, absent voting, and election petitions. It mandates that individuals provide proof of citizenship, with penalties for non-compliance, and establishes timelines for notification and verification processes. (Introduced In Senate) Legislature reference...- The bill imposes additional requirements for voting, which can be seen as a restriction on individual rights and access to the electoral process, conflicting with the Libertarian principles of personal liberty and minimal government interference. Both the LP and LPO platforms emphasize the importance of individual rights and oppose government overreach, which this bill exemplifies by increasing government control over the voting process.
- Risks and Concerns:
- Increased barriers to voting for eligible citizens
- Potential disenfranchisement of voters
- Administrative burdens on election officials
- โ SB152 Allow wild animal rehab facility to get euthanasia drug permit
The bill allows wild animal rehabilitation facilities to obtain a limited license to administer euthanasia drugs under specific conditions, including certification requirements for personnel and adherence to approved methods of euthanasia. The bill outlines the application process for licensure and stipulates that only approved drugs may be used for euthanasia. It also mandates that facilities must comply with state regulations regarding the handling and administration of these drugs. (Introduced In Senate) Legislature reference...- The bill introduces additional government regulation and licensing for euthanasia practices, which may conflict with the Libertarian principles of minimal government intervention and individual rights. However, it does provide a framework for humane treatment of animals, which aligns somewhat with the LPO's focus on responsible governance. The mixed nature of the bill's implications leads to moderate alignment scores.
- Risks and Concerns:
- Increased government control over animal rehabilitation practices
- Potential for bureaucratic inefficiencies in licensing
- Risk of misuse of euthanasia drugs if not properly regulated
- โ๏ธ SB151 Allow certain natural gas suppliers to offer carbon offsets
SB151 allows competitive retail natural gas service suppliers to offer voluntary carbon offset programs to customers, requiring suppliers to enter agreements with carbon offset registries and submit notices to the public utilities commission. The bill mandates that participation in these programs must not incur costs for non-participating customers or natural gas companies. It includes provisions for customer opt-in and opt-out options and allows for audits by the public utilities commission. (Introduced In Senate) Legislature reference...- The bill promotes market competition and consumer choice in the natural gas sector, aligning with some Libertarian principles. However, it introduces regulatory oversight and requirements that may conflict with the LP's emphasis on minimal government intervention. The LPO's score reflects a more favorable view due to its support for free markets, but the bill's regulatory aspects still present concerns.
- Risks and Concerns:
- Increased regulatory oversight may lead to unintended consequences.
- Potential for government interference in voluntary market transactions.
- โ SB150 Increase sports gaming tax; allocate for athletics, sports venues
The bill increases the sports gaming tax from 20% to 36% on sports gaming receipts and allocates the additional revenue to support interscholastic athletics and the renovation or construction of sports venues in Ohio. It establishes a sports venue redevelopment commission to evaluate and approve projects funded by the new tax revenue. The bill also outlines the conditions under which state funds can be used for sports facilities. (Introduced In Senate) Legislature reference...- The bill increases taxation and government involvement in funding sports facilities, which conflicts with Libertarian principles of minimal government intervention and low taxation. It also promotes the allocation of tax revenue to specific sectors, which may be seen as cronyism or government favoritism, further opposing the Libertarian emphasis on free markets and individual choice.
- Risks and Concerns:
- Increased government control over funding and allocation of resources
- Potential for cronyism in the approval of sports venue projects
- Higher taxes may discourage economic activity in the gaming sector
- โ SB15 Allow port authorities to establish a Common Bond Fund Program
The bill allows port authorities in Ohio to establish a Common Bond Fund Program to finance port authority facilities. It enables port authorities to issue obligations secured by a trust agreement and manage the program using credit enhancement facilities and cash reserves. The bill outlines the powers and authorizations for port authorities in relation to the program. (Introduced In Senate) Legislature reference...- The bill expands government authority by allowing port authorities to create a financing program, which may conflict with the Libertarian principles of limited government and free markets. Both LP and LPO platforms emphasize minimal government intervention in economic matters, suggesting that this bill may not align with their core principles.
- Risks and Concerns:
- Increases government control over financial mechanisms
- Potential for cronyism in port authority operations
- May divert resources from private sector solutions
Ohio House Bills with summary.
Ohio Senate Bills with summary.
For a comprehensive and up-to-date list of all bills, please refer to the official Ohio Legislature website.
