Budget Update
The deadline for voting on the state’s biennial budget, House Bill (HB) 33, without introducing an extension is June 30, 2023. The conference committee has ironed out many of its initial differences, but some remain. The committee plans for a vote soon with hopes of avoiding a lengthy extension. The conference committee is scheduled to meet at 11a.m. on June 30, 2023, with House and Senate sessions planned for the afternoon. Once the budget is agreed upon by the House and Senate it will head to Governor DeWine’s desk for his line-item veto.
Senate Activity
The Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill (SB) 91. The bill would make changes to laws regarding fraud, waste and abuse of public funds.
House Primary and Secondary Education Committee
The committee passed HB 71, sponsored by Rep. Nick Santucci (R-Howland Township), which would require the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) to establish the community connectors workforce program to connect students to jobs and internships in their communities. The bill would also require ESCs to administer the program to the school districts they serve.
The committee also passed HB 137, sponsored by Reps. Adam Mathews (R-Lebanon) and Phil Plummer (R-Dayton), which requires the Department of Education to study the feasibility of implementing a program similar to the Kentucky Bluegrass Challenge Academy.
The committee amended HB 63, sponsored by Rep. Latyna M. Humphrey (D-Columbus), which would require public and chartered nonpublic schools to provide conflict resolution instruction to students in grades kindergarten through twelve. The amendment requires ODE to compile a list of appropriate curricula and materials for conflict resolution instruction that includes at least one curriculum or material pertaining to each required conflict resolution topic. The amendment also requires ODE to issue guidance to aid school districts and schools in selecting in-service training programs for teachers on providing the required conflict resolution instruction.
The committee heard sponsor testimony on HB 206, sponsored by Reps. Gary Click (R-Vickery) and Monica Robb Blasdel (R-Columbiana), with respect to the expulsion of a student from a public school for actions that endanger the health and safety of other students or school employees.
The committee also heard sponsor testimony on HB 214, sponsored by Rep. Adam Holmes (R-Nashport), which would require each public school to adopt a policy regarding certain expectations related to the performance of staff member professional duties.
House Ways and Means Committee
The committee held a third hearing on HB 187, sponsored by Reps. Thomas Hall (R-Middletown) and Adam Bird (R-Cincinnati), which modifies the procedures used by the Tax Commissioner to conduct property tax sales-assessment ratio studies.
House State and Local Government Committee
The committee passed HB 74, sponsored by Reps. Thomas Hall (R-Madison Township) and Mary Lightbody (D-Westerville), which would establish a plan to migrate the state’s information technology systems to the state’s computer center and cloud environment and establish a cybersecurity and fraud advisory board.
Senate Veterans and Public Safety Committee
The committee held a second hearing on SB 113, sponsored by Sen. Frank Hoagland (R-Mingo Junction), which prohibits a person who fails to comply with the Military Selective Service System from holding a public office or employment with the state.
Federal Update
Please click here to read the weekly Federal Advocacy Education Report which includes education related information.