House Activity 
The House considered the amendments made by the Senate to House Bill (HB) 250 and voted 87-0 in favor of the amendments. The bill, sponsored by Reps. Jessica E. Miranda (D-Forest Park) and Tracy M. Richardson (R-Marysville), would revise the “military enlistment seal” and rename it the “military seal.” The amendments adopted by the Senate included:

  • Adding vans to the list of vehicles that can be used in the transportation pilot program that was created in HB 33, the biennial budget;
  • Requiring each public school to adopt a policy governing the use of cell phones by students during school hours;
  • Requiring that districts make their cell phone usage policy publicly available and post it on their website; and
  • Requiring the Department of Education and Workforce to adopt a model cell phone policy that could be used by districts. 

HB 250 is now headed to the Governor for his signature.

Senate Activity 
The Senate passed HB 50, sponsored by Reps. Latyna Humphrey (D-Columbus) and Bill Seitz (R-Cincinnati), with a vote of 29-1. This bill would create a mechanism by which an individual who is subject to a collateral sanction for housing may obtain a certificate of qualification for housing that may provide relief from certain bars on housing. The bill contains provisions that would:

  • Modify a property tax exemption for improvements to certain residential development property by requiring that property owners apply for the exemption with the county auditor, rather than the Tax Commissioner.
  • Remove requirements that the board of education to be notified of an application for such an exemption and allowance for a board to participate in any hearing on an application.
  • Prohibit the filing of property tax complaints by third parties challenging a residential development property exemption. 

HB 50 now heads to the House for a concurrence vote on the Senate amendments.

The Senate also passed Senate Bill (SB) 179, sponsored by Sen. Stephanie Kunze (R-Hilliard), by a vote of 31-0. This bill would create the “Hilliard Davidson Wildcats” license plate.

House Committee Changes
Speaker Stephens recently made changes to the leadership of several House committees. Speaker Stephens expressed disdain for members of the House Republican Caucus who contributed to candidates who ran against incumbent members of the caucus. Committee chairs who were removed include:

  • Rep. Rodney Creech (R-W. Alexandra) from the House Agriculture Committee
  • Rep. Phil Plummer (R-Dayton) from the House Constitutional Resolutions Committee
  • Rep. Darrell Kick (R-Loudonville) from the House Energy and Natural Resources Committee
  • Rep. Adam Bird (R-New Richmond) from the House Primary and Secondary Education Committee
  • Rep. Scott Lipps (R-Franklin) from the House Public Health Policy Committee
  • Rep. Marilyn John (R-Shelby) from the House State and Local Government Committee. 

Earlier this week, Speaker Stephens filled those committees with the following individuals:

  • Rep. Don Jones (R-Freeport) as chair of the House Agriculture Committee
  • Rep. Gayle Manning (R-North Ridgeville) as chair of the House Primary and Secondary Education Committee
  • Rep. Scott Wiggam (R-Wooster) as the chair of the House State and Local Government Committee
  • Rep. Thomas Hall (R-Middletown) as chair of the House Energy and Natural Resources Committee
  • Rep. Adam Mathews (R-Lebanon) as chair of the House Public Health Policy Committee.

Joint Committee on Property Tax Review and Reform 
The Joint Committee met and heard testimony focusing on property taxes from Howard Fleeter with the Ohio Education Policy Institute. Click here to read the testimony. 

Senate Education Committee 
The committee amended SB 208, sponsored by Sen. Kristina Roegner (R-Hudson). This bill would require a city, exempted village or local school district to include in its open enrollment policy an exception for military children. The amendment to the bill was a technical correction. No witnesses were present to testify on the bill.

The committee heard sponsor testimony from Sen. Catherine Ingram (D-Cincinnati) on SB 128. This bill would require disclosure of the for-profit status of community school operators and post-secondary educational institutions on various promotional materials and contracts for employment.

The committee heard proponent testimony on SB 219, sponsored by Ingram. The bill would make changes to the educator licensure grade bands.

The committee held a hearing on HB 147, sponsored by Reps. Sarah Fowler-Arthur (R-Ashtabula) and Adam Miller (D-Columbus), with no witnesses present to testify. This bill would make changes regarding teacher licensure revocation, teacher hiring practices, and conduct unbecoming to the teaching profession.

Senate Ways and Means Committee 
The committee held a hearing on SB 186, sponsored by Sens. Bill Blessing (R-Colerain Township) and Catherine Ingram (D-Cincinnati). The bill would require payment of property taxes and assessments when a lot is split or transferred and to prohibit tax-delinquent property owners from purchasing tax-foreclosed property. No witnesses were present. Chair Blessing said it is his intent to pass this bill out of committee during their next meeting.

The committee heard sponsor testimony from Sens. Michele Reynolds (R-Canal Winchester) and Hearcel Craig (D-Columbus) on SB 244. This bill would authorize local governments to create residential stability zones where homeowners may qualify for a partial property tax exemption.

Senate Community Revitalization Committee 
The Senate Community Revitalization Committee unanimously passed HB 50, sponsored by Reps. Latyna Humphrey (D-Columbus) and Bill Seitz (R-Cincinnati). This bill would create a mechanism by which an individual who is subject to a collateral sanction for housing may obtain a certificate of qualification for housing that may provide relief from certain bars on housing. The committee previously accepted an amendment to the bill that would:

  • Modify a property tax exemption for improvements to certain residential development property by requiring that property owners apply for the exemption with the county auditor, rather than the Tax Commissioner.
  • Remove provisions that require the board of education to be notified of an application for such an exemption and that allow a board to participate in any hearing on an application.
  • Prohibit the filing of property tax complaints by third parties challenging a residential development property exemption. 

OSBA, the Buckeye Association of School Administrators and the Ohio Association of School Business Officials offered opponent testimony on the bill.

Senate Select Committee on Housing 
The committee held sponsor testimony on SB 245, sponsored by Michele Reynolds (R-Canal Winchester) and Hearcel Craig (D-Columbus), which would revise the law governing eviction, real estate representation agreements, residential building code enforcement and real property transfers.

House Ways and Means Committee 
The committee held a hearing on HB 378, sponsored by Reps. Nick Santucci (R-Howland Twp.) and Brian Lorenz (R-Powell), which would create an enhanced homestead exemption for the surviving spouses of uniformed service members killed in the line of duty equal to all taxes imposed on the homestead. The bill would reimburse local taxing units for the resulting reduction in taxes like other homestead exemptions. No witnesses were present to testify on the bill.

The committee heard sponsor testimony from Rep. Jim Hoops (R-Napoleon) on HB 496. This bill would revise the law governing property taxes and county auditors.

House Government Oversight Committee 
The committee heard sponsor testimony on HB 499 from Reps. Dani Isaacsohn (D-Cincinnati) and Adam Mathews (R-Lebanon). This legislation would create grant programs for housing developments near megaprojects and for townships and municipalities that adopt pro-housing policies. HB 499 would also modify the community reinvestment area law relating to residential property and limit the ten percent nonbusiness property tax credit.

House Transportation Committee 
The committee heard sponsor testimony on HB 380 from Reps. Brett Hillyer (R-Uhrichsville) and Kevin Miller (R-Newark). This legislation would designate a portion of Interstate 70 in Licking County as the “Tuscarawas Valley Memorial Highway.” The committee unanimously passed HB 380.

House Behavioral Health Committee 
The committee heard proponent testimony on HB 352, sponsored by Reps. Rachel Baker (D-Cincinnati) and Sara Carruthers (R-Hamilton). This bill would establish the Adverse Childhood Experiences Study Commission. The committee unanimously passed HB 352.

Senate Judiciary Committee 
The committee heard sponsor testimony on HB 139 from Reps. Bill Roemer (R-Richfield) and Joseph Miller (D-Amherst). This bill would increase the penalties for assault if the victim is acting as a sports official or the assault is committed in retaliation for the victim’s actions as a sports official.

Sunset Review Committee
The committee met and heard presentations from the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce requesting the retention of the following entities:

  • Educational Management Information Systems Advisory Council;
  • Advisory Board to Assist and Advise in the Operation of the Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence;
  • Ohio Dyslexia Committee;
  • STEM Committee of the Department of Education;
  • College Credit Plus Advisory Committee;
  • Credential Review Board;
  • Educator Standards Board. 

House Finance Committee 
The committee heard sponsor testimony on HB 71 from Rep. Nick Santucci (R-Howland Township.) This bill would establish the Community Connectors Workforce Program and make an appropriation.

The committee also heard sponsor testimony on HB 312 from Reps. Andrea White (R-Kettering) and Tom Young (R-Dayton). This bill would establish the Regional Partnerships Program and make an appropriation. The committee also heard proponent testimony from the following:

Senate Transportation Committee 
The committee met and passed SB 179 sponsored by Sen. Stephanie Kunze (R-Hilliard). This bill would create the “Hilliard Davidson Wildcats” license plate. No witnesses were present to testify on the bill.

Senate Insurance Committee 
The committee heard sponsor testimony on HB 78 from Reps. Bill Seitz (R-Cincinnati) and Joseph Miller (D-Amherst). This bill would make changes regarding the State Teachers Retirement Board elections and membership requirements.

New Bills Introduced

  • HB 516, sponsored by Rep. Joseph Miller (D-Amherst), would annually require the Director of Budget and Management to transfer funds to the State Board of Education licensure fund.
  • HB 518, sponsored by Rep. Jon Cross (R-Kenton), would authorize a civil penalty related to drivers who illegally pass a school bus but cannot be identified. The bill would also designate the month of October as "School Bus Safety Awareness Month," and to designate this act as the School Bus Safety Act.
  • HB 520, sponsored by Reps. Tom Young (R-Dayton) and Melanie Miller (R-Ashland), would permit students to use club sports or other athletic activity to fulfill the high school physical education requirements.
  • SB 259, sponsored by Sen. Teresa Gavarone (R-Bowling Green), would make changes regarding participation in interscholastic athletics for students subjected to harassment, intimidation, bullying or other offenses.
  • SB 261, sponsored by Sen. Ingram (D-Cincinnati), would make changes regarding the auditing of chartered nonpublic schools.
  • SB 265, sponsored by Sen. Ingram (D-Cincinnati), would eliminate the right of first refusal for certain school district real property. 

Rules Activity
The Department of Education and Workforce has the following proposed rules open for public comment:

  • OAC Chapter 83 Pupil Transportation
  • OAC 3301-83-01 Calculation of pupil transportation operation payments
  • OAC 3301-83-04 Scope and definition
  • OAC 3301-83-05 Administration
  • OAC 3301-83-06 Personnel qualifications
  • OAC 3301-83-07 School transportation driver physical qualifications rule
  • OAC 3301-83-08 Pupil transportation management policies
  • OAC 3301-83-09 Pupil instruction
  • OAC 3301-83-10 Personnel training program
  • OAC 3301-83-11 School bus inspections
  • OAC 3301-83-12 Safety procedures
  • OAC 3301-83-13 School bus routes and stops
  • OAC 3301-83-14 Records and reports
  • OAC 3301-83-15 Emergency and evacuation procedures
  • OAC 3301-83-16 Non-routine use of school buses
  • OAC 3301-83-17 Authorized and unauthorized passengers
  • OAC 3301-83-18 Passenger capacity
  • OAC 3301-83-19 Authorized vehicles for transportation of pupils to and from school and school-related events
  • OAC 3301-83-20 General rules
  • OAC 3301-83-21 Supplementary provisions for county boards of developmental disabilities
  • OAC 3301-83-22 Vehicle maintenance
  • OAC 3301-83-24 School transportation fees
  • OAC 3301-83-25 Transportation collaboration grant 

Click here to view the 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 5/10/2024