House Finance Committee 
The committee met and heard testimony on House Bill (HB) 629, sponsored by Rep. Jay Edwards (R-Nelsonville). This legislation would make capital and other appropriations. The bill includes $600 million for construction and renovation of K-12 school buildings. Kim Murnieks, Director of the Office of Budget and Management provided testimony outlining the projects to be funded by the bill.

The committee also heard testimony on HB 312, sponsored by Reps. Andrea White (R-Kettering) and Tom Young (R-Dayton). This bill would establish the Regional Partnerships Program and make an appropriation. The committee accepted an amendment that:

  • Clarifies that ODEW bears primary responsibility for implementing the Regional Partnership Program.
  • Appropriates $2 million in fiscal year 2025 for the program. 

The committee heard sponsor testimony on HB 585 from Rep. Ismail Mohamed (D-Columbus). This bill would provide $300,000 to the Ohio Department of Agriculture for a pilot competitive grant program. Funds would be provided to middle schools, high schools and institutions of higher education for the provision of special religious diets, including kosher and halal food.

Senate Finance Committee 
The committee received written sponsor testimony on HB 2 from Reps. Al Cutrona (R-Canfield) and Terrence Upchurch (D-Cleveland). HB 2 would direct state funds for state and community development.

The committee heard testimony on Senate Bill (SB) 292, sponsored by Sen. Matt Dolan (R-Chagrin Falls), which would make capital and other appropriations. The bill includes $600 million for construction and renovation of K-12 school buildings. Kim Murnieks, Director of the Office of Budget and Management provided testimony outlining the projects to be funded by the bill.

House Higher Education Committee
The committee heard sponsor testimony on SB 104 from Sen. Jerry Cirino (R-Kirtland). This legislation would make changes regarding the College Credit Plus Program. The committee also heard proponent testimony.

The committee heard HB 572, sponsored by Rep. Andrea White (R-Kettering). This bill would require the Chancellor of Higher Education to conduct an audit of educator preparation programs to determine what instruction they are providing to students on mental and behavioral health, behavior management and classroom management and to make recommendations. The committee accepted an amendment that:

  • Requires the Chancellor of Higher Education to conduct a survey of each teacher and administrator prep program offered by an institution of higher education, rather than an audit of the program;
  • Requires the Chancellor to create the survey in conjunction with the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (ODEW);
  • Requires the Chancellor and the Director of ODEW to distribute the report analyzing the survey’s findings one year after the bill becomes law;
  • Appropriates $150,000 to support the Chancellor’s work on the survey and the report.

House Public Health Policy
The committee heard HB 356, sponsored by Rep. Sara Carruthers (R-Hamilton). This bill would make changes regarding cardiac monitoring for youth and be designated as the Healthy Cardiac Monitoring Act. The committee accepted a substitute version of the bill that:

  • Requires the preparticipation physical exam be conducted once per calendar year;
  • Allows the physical exam form to be one created by the Ohio High School Athletic Association;
  • States that physical exam forms must be retained for the duration of the student’s enrollment in the school;
  • Makes mandatory the informational meeting on the symptoms and warning signs of sudden cardiac arrest prior to the start of each athletic season;
  • Requires removal, evaluation and written clearance if a student athlete exhibits difficulty breathing, chest pains, dizziness or an abnormal racing heart rate.

House Commerce and Labor Committee 
The committee heard sponsor testimony on SB 112 from Sen. Michele Reynolds (R-Canal Winchester). This bill would require school buildings to comply with safety standards. 

New Bills Introduced

  • SB 292, sponsored by Sen. Matt Dolan (R-Chagrin Falls), would provide authorization and conditions for the operations of certain state programs, make capital appropriations for the biennium ending June 30, 2026, make other appropriations and declare an emergency;
  • SB 293, sponsored by Sen. Michele Reynolds (R-Canal Winchester), would require school districts to allow for released time courses in religious instruction;
  • HB 629, sponsored by Rep. Jay Edwards (R-Nelsonville), would provide authorization and conditions for the operations of certain state programs, make capital appropriations for the biennium ending June 30, 2026, make other appropriations and declare an emergency.

Rules Activity
The Department of Education and Workforce does not currently have any proposed rules open for public comment.

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

Posted by Nicole Piscitani on 6/21/2024