House Finance Committee
The committee held testimony on the executive budget proposal for fiscal years 2024 and 2025. Testifying on the executive budget included:

Senate Education Committee
The committee held a second hearing on Senate Bill (SB) 1, sponsored by Sen. Bill Reineke (R-Tiffin), which would rename the Department of Education as the Department of Education and Workforce and would create the position of Director of Education and Workforce. The bill also would reform the functions and responsibilities of the State Board of Education and the Superintendent of Public Instruction. Testifying as proponents of the bill were:

The committee held sponsor testimony on SB 11, sponsored by Sen. Sandra O’Brien (R-Ashtabula), which would expand eligibility for EdChoice scholarships to all students beginning with scholarships sought for the 2023-24 school year, and increase the homeschool expense tax credit from $250 to $2,000.

The committee held sponsor testimony on SB 14, sponsored by Sen. Frank Hoagland (R-Mingo Junction), which would allow school districts to employ veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces that have met certain requirements as teachers without licenses.

The committee held sponsor testimony on SB 17, sponsored by Sen. Steve Wilson (R-Maineville), which would require the State Board to update the standards and model curriculum for financial literacy and entrepreneurship in grades nine-12 to include free market capitalism content.

Senate Ways and Means Committee
The committee held sponsor testimony on SB 43, sponsored by Sen. Andrew O. Brenner, which would extend the homestead exemption for the surviving spouse of a disabled veteran to spouses of a disabled veteran who dies before receiving a qualifying disability rating.

Senate Workforce and Higher Education Committee
The committee held sponsor testimony on SB 30, sponsored by Sen. Tim Schaffer (R-Lancaster), which would allow a person age 14 or 15 to be employed between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. during the school year if the person has parental or legal guardian consent.

New Bills Introduced
The following bills were introduced this week:

  • SB 44 introduced by Brenner, to require a state occupational licensing agency to accept electronic license applications.
  • SB 47 introduced by Sen. Stephen A. Huffman (R-Huffman), to prohibit a public employer from providing paid leave or compensation for a public employee to engage in political activities, including lobbying.
  • SB 49 introduced by Sen. Michele Reynolds (R-Canal Winchester), to enact the Religious Expression Days "R.E.D." Act; and to require school boards to adopt a policy providing students, teachers, and staff with religious accommodations for up to three days.

Federal update
Please click here to read the weekly Federal Advocacy Education Report that includes education related information.

Posted by Nicole Piscitani on 2/10/2023