Senate activity
The Senate passed Senate Bill (SB) 83, sponsored by Sen. Jerry Cirino (R-Kirtland), which would enact the Ohio Higher Education Enhancement Act regarding the operation of state institutions of higher education, by a vote of 21-10. The bill now heads to the House.
Senate Finance
The committee held its third hearing on House Bill (HB) 33, the biennial budget. The committee heard testimony on K-12 computer science and FASFA from a number of organizations.
House Primary and Secondary Education Committee
The committee held a third hearing on HB 103, sponsored by Reps. Don Jones (R-Freeport) and Tracy Richardson (R-Marysville), which would establish the Ohio Social Studies Standards Task Force to develop new social studies academic standards for use beginning with the 2024-25 school year. Testifying in opposition to the bill were:
- Kathleen Knight-Abowitz, board member, Talawanda City;
- Edward Theroux, superintendent, Talawanda City.
The committee also heard sponsor testimony on HB 135, sponsored by Reps. Thomas Hall (R-Middletown) and Rodney Creech (R-W. Alexandria). The bill would require school districts to grant students excused absences from school for participation in 4-H and FFA programs and activities.
House Pensions Committee
The committee passed HB 146, sponsored by Rep. Adam Bird (R-New Richmond), which would require the School Employees Retirement Board to establish the contribution-based benefit cap (CBBC), a limit on the retirement allowance a member may receive. The bill also requires the board to calculate a member’s CBBC based on the member’s contributions converted to an annuity and multiplied by the CBBC factor designated by the board, reducing the member’s retirement allowance to an amount equal to the member’s CBBC if the retirement allowance would exceed the CBBC. If passed, the CBBC provisions would take effect Aug. 1, 2024.
House Ways and Means Committee
The committee held a third hearing on SB 43, sponsored by Andrew Brenner (R-Delaware), which would modify the homestead exemption for the surviving spouse of a disabled veteran.
The committee also held a second hearing on HB 125, sponsored by Reps. Nick Santucci (R-Howland Township) and Adam Mathews (R-Lebanon), which would modify the income tax deductions for contributions to 529 plans and ABLE accounts.
House State and Local Government Committee
The committee held a second hearing on HB 145, sponsored by Reps. Thomas Hall (R-Middletown) and Brian Lampton (R-Fairborn). The bill expands political subdivision joint purchasing authority to expressly include purchases for construction services.
Federal update
Please click here to read the weekly Federal Advocacy Education Report, which includes education related information.