Blogs

Legislative e-Update for April 10, 2025

By Craig Burford posted 04-10-2025 07:31 AM

  

The April 10, 2025, Legislative e-Update located below is provided by OESCA to Ohio’s ESCs, their client school districts, and other key education stakeholders.  The e-Update provides information on the pending education bills of interest to Ohio’s public education community introduced during the 135th Ohio General Assembly. Bills are organized by last action date.  There are also links to the state bill page for users to download any bills, analyses, or fiscal notes.  The document ends with the targeted news stories of interest and the latest news from Capitol Square.

The downloadable update is provided in MS Word format so you can co-brand with OESCA; add your own logos and customize as needed for your respective organizations and client districts. Please give credit to OESCA as appropriate. It can be accessed at:  https://www.oesca.org/viewdocument/legislative-e-update-for-april-10?CommunityKey=e25c3e7b-d192-458d-bbfc-018fe042b4c4&tab=librarydocuments.

 

Thank you for your ongoing support of OESCA and Ohio’s network of ESCs.

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April 10, 2025

Legislative Tracking Report: 136th General Assembly

SB7

REGARDING INSTRUCTION-SUBSTANCE USE (JOHNSON T) Regarding instruction for public and chartered nonpublic school students in the harmful effects of substance use.

 

Current Status:   

4/9/2025 - PASSED BY SENATE; Vote 33-0

 

Recent Status:   

4/9/2025 - Bills for Third Consideration
4/8/2025 - REPORTED OUT, Senate Education, (Fifth Hearing)

 

State Bill Page:   

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-SB-7

 

SB168

SCHOOL DISTRICT ACQUISITION-PRESCHOOL CLASSROOM FACILITIES (INGRAM C) Regarding school district acquisition of preschool classroom facilities.

 

Current Status:   

4/9/2025 - Referred to Committee Senate Finance

 

Recent Status:   

4/2/2025 - Introduced

 

State Bill Page:   

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-SB-168

 

HB80

INDUSTRIAL COMMISSION BUDGET (STEWART B) To make appropriations for the Industrial Commission for the biennium beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2027, and to provide authorization and conditions for the operation of Commission programs.

 

Current Status:   

4/9/2025 - Referred to Committee Senate Financial Institutions, Insurance and Technology

 

Recent Status:   

4/2/2025 - PASSED BY HOUSE; Vote 94-0
4/2/2025 - Bills for Third Consideration

 

State Bill Page:   

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-HB-80

 

HB96

OPERATING BUDGET (STEWART B) To make operating appropriations for the biennium beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2027, to levy taxes, and to provide authorization and conditions for the operation of state programs.

 

Current Status:   

4/9/2025 - PASSED BY HOUSE; Amended on Floor, Bill Vote 60-39

 

Recent Status:   

4/9/2025 - Bills for Third Consideration
4/9/2025 - Senate Finance, (Fourth Hearing)

 

State Bill Page:   

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-HB-96

 

SB173

REGARDING SCHOOL DISTRICT TERRITORY ANNEXATIONS (SCHAFFER T, BRENNER A) Regarding school district territory annexations.

 

Current Status:   

4/9/2025 - Referred to Committee Senate Education

 

Recent Status:   

4/8/2025 - Introduced

 

State Bill Page:   

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-SB-173

 

SB163

VARIOUS REGULATIONS-ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (BLESSING III L, JOHNSON T) To require AI-generated products have a watermark, to prohibit simulated child pornography, and to prohibit identity fraud using a replica of a person.

 

Current Status:   

4/9/2025 - Senate Judiciary, (First Hearing)

 

Recent Status:   

4/2/2025 - Referred to Committee Senate Judiciary
4/1/2025 - Introduced

 

State Bill Page:   

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-SB-163

 

SB174

REGARDING PARENTING RESPONSIBILITIES-PARENTING PLANS (GAVARONE T, HICKS-HUDSON P) Regarding the allocation of parenting responsibilities in a parenting plan.

 

Current Status:   

4/9/2025 - Referred to Committee Senate Judiciary

 

Recent Status:   

4/8/2025 - Introduced

 

State Bill Page:   

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-SB-174

 

HB225

EMPLOYMENT-PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES (JARRELLS D, YOUNG T) To phase out the subminimum wage for individuals with physical or mental disabilities, to authorize a tax credit for purchases made from nonprofit corporations that hire such individuals, and to name this act the Ohio Employment First and Greater Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities Act.

 

Current Status:   

4/9/2025 - Referred to Committee House Commerce and Labor

 

Recent Status:   

4/7/2025 - Introduced

 

State Bill Page:   

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-HB-225

 

HB32

MONTH DESIGNATION-CELEBRATING DISABILITIES (JARRELLS D, COCKLEY C) To designate the month of July as Celebrating Disabilities Month.

 

Current Status:   

4/9/2025 - House Health, (Second Hearing)

 

Recent Status:   

4/2/2025 - House Health, (First Hearing)
2/5/2025 - Referred to Committee House Health

 

State Bill Page:   

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-HB-32

 

HB186

LIMIT SCHOOL DISTRICT PROPERTY TAX INCREASES (HOOPS J, THOMAS D) To authorize a reduction in school district property taxes affected by a millage floor that would limit increases in such taxes according to inflation and to require a corresponding adjustment in the school funding formula.

 

Current Status:   

4/9/2025 - House Ways and Means, (Second Hearing)

 

Recent Status:   

4/2/2025 - House Ways and Means, (First Hearing)
3/26/2025 - Referred to Committee House Ways and Means

 

State Bill Page:   

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-HB-186

 

HB57

OVERDOSE REVERSAL DRUGS, SCHOOL POLICIES (JARRELLS D, WILLIAMS J) Regarding school policies on the administration of overdose reversal drugs.

 

Current Status:   

4/8/2025 - House Education, (Third Hearing)

 

Recent Status:   

4/1/2025 - House Education, (Second Hearing)
3/11/2025 - House Education, (First Hearing)

 

State Bill Page:   

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-HB-57

 

HB191

SET MINIMUM TEACHER SALARY (MILLER J, GRIM M) To require that all school district and educational service center teachers be paid a salary of at least $50,000.

 

Current Status:   

4/8/2025 - House Education, (First Hearing)

 

Recent Status:   

3/26/2025 - Referred to Committee House Education
3/24/2025 - Introduced

 

State Bill Page:   

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-HB-191

 

HB28

ELIMINATE REPLACEMENT PROPERTY TAX LEVY AUTHORITY (MATHEWS A, HALL T) To eliminate the authority to levy replacement property tax levies.

 

Current Status:   

4/8/2025 - Senate Ways and Means, (First Hearing)

 

Recent Status:   

3/26/2025 - Referred to Committee Senate Ways and Means
3/19/2025 - PASSED BY HOUSE; Vote 62-30

 

State Bill Page:   

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-HB-28

 

HB3

SCHOOL BUS SAFETY ACT (WILLIS B, THOMAS C) To address school bus safety, to designate this act as the School Bus Safety Act, and to make an appropriation.

 

Current Status:   

4/8/2025 - BILL AMENDED, House Transportation, (Third Hearing)

 

Recent Status:   

4/1/2025 - House Transportation, (Second Hearing)
3/11/2025 - House Transportation, (First Hearing)

 

State Bill Page:   

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-HB-3

 

SB158

PROHIBIT CELL PHONES-PUBLIC SCHOOLS (TIMKEN J) To generally prohibit student cellular telephone use in public schools.

 

Current Status:   

4/8/2025 - Senate Education, (First Hearing)

 

Recent Status:   

4/2/2025 - Referred to Committee Senate Education
4/1/2025 - Introduced

 

State Bill Page:   

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-SB-158

 

SB34

ENACT HISTORICAL EDUCATIONAL DISPLAYS ACT (JOHNSON T) To enact the Historical Educational Displays Act regarding the display of certain historical documents in public schools.

 

Current Status:   

4/8/2025 - SUBSTITUTE BILL ACCEPTED, Senate Education, (Fifth Hearing)

 

Recent Status:   

4/1/2025 - SUBSTITUTE BILL ACCEPTED, Senate Education, (Fourth Hearing)
3/11/2025 - Senate Education, (Third Hearing)

 

State Bill Page:   

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-SB-34

 

HB205

REGARDING STUDENT TEACHERS' FINANCIAL SUPPORT (BRENNAN S, JONES D) To enact the Future Educators Support Act regarding financial support for student teachers, teaching as an in-demand job, and school district staffing surveys.

 

Current Status:   

4/2/2025 - Referred to Committee House Education

 

Recent Status:   

3/31/2025 - Introduced

 

State Bill Page:   

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-HB-205

 

HB203

INCREASED PENALTIES-SCHOOL ZONES (HALL T, WILLIAMS J) To increase penalties for vehicular assault and vehicular homicide that occur in an active school zone, to require doubled fines for specified traffic violations in an active school zone, and to name this act Aspen Runnels' Law.

 

Current Status:   

4/2/2025 - Referred to Committee House Judiciary

 

Recent Status:   

3/26/2025 - Introduced

 

State Bill Page:   

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-HB-203

 

HB154

SCHOOL DISTRICT APPROVAL-CRA EXEMPTIONS (THOMAS D, GLASSBURN C) To require school district approval of residential community reinvestment area property tax exemptions.

 

Current Status:   

4/2/2025 - House Local Government, (First Hearing)

 

Recent Status:   

3/19/2025 - Referred to Committee House Local Government
3/6/2025 - Introduced

 

State Bill Page:   

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-HB-154

 

HB119

HIGH SCHOOL EXIT ORIENTATION CHANGES (WILLIAMS J, SANTUCCI N) To enact the Graduation Readiness and Development (GRAD) Act regarding exit orientation programs at public high schools and to designate September as "Workforce Development Month."

 

Current Status:   

4/1/2025 - House Education, (First Hearing)

 

Recent Status:   

2/26/2025 - Referred to Committee House Education
2/24/2025 - Introduced

 

State Bill Page:   

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-HB-119

 

HB165

REGARDING IMPLICIT BIAS TRAINING-EDUCATORS (MILLER J, BREWER D) Regarding implicit bias training for licensed educators and to make an appropriation.

 

Current Status:   

4/1/2025 - House Education, (First Hearing)

 

Recent Status:   

3/19/2025 - Referred to Committee House Education
3/12/2025 - Introduced

 

State Bill Page:   

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-HB-165

 

HB164

REINSTATE JOINT EDUCATION OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE (ROBINSON P, MILLER J) To reinstate the Joint Education Oversight Committee and to make an appropriation.

 

Current Status:   

4/1/2025 - House Education, (First Hearing)

 

Recent Status:   

3/19/2025 - Referred to Committee House Education
3/12/2025 - Introduced

 

State Bill Page:   

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-HB-164

 

HB54

TRANSPORTATION BUDGET (STEWART B) To make appropriations for programs related to transportation for the biennium beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2027, and to provide authorization and conditions for the operation of those programs.

 

Current Status:   

3/31/2025 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR; eff. 3/31/25

 

Recent Status:   

3/25/2025 - Sent to Governor for Signature
3/19/2025 - Consideration of Senate Amendments; House Does Concur, Vote 87-3

 

State Bill Page:   

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-HB-54

 

SB1

ADVANCE OHIO HIGHER EDUCATION ACT (CIRINO J) To enact the Advance Ohio Higher Education Act regarding the operation of state institutions of higher education.

 

Current Status:   

3/28/2025 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR; eff. 90 days

 

Recent Status:   

3/26/2025 - Sent to Governor for Signature
3/26/2025 - Consideration of House Amendments; Senate Does Concur, Vote 20-11

 

State Bill Page:   

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-SB-1

 

HB48

TAX CHANGES-529, ABLE CONTRIBUTIONS (MATHEWS A, SANTUCCI N) To modify the income tax deductions for contributions to 529 plans and ABLE accounts.

 

Current Status:   

3/26/2025 - House Ways and Means, (Third Hearing)

 

Recent Status:   

3/19/2025 - House Ways and Means, (Second Hearing)
3/5/2025 - House Ways and Means, (First Hearing)

 

State Bill Page:   

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-HB-48

 

HB189

REGARDING SCHOOL BEHAVIORAL THREAT MANAGEMENT (HALL T, GHANBARI H) Regarding a statewide behavioral threat management operational process for public and chartered nonpublic schools.

 

Current Status:   

3/26/2025 - Referred to Committee House Education

 

Recent Status:   

3/19/2025 - Introduced

 

State Bill Page:   

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-HB-189

 

HB30

PHASE DOWN INCOME TAX-2.75% (MATHEWS A, LAMPTON B) To phase-down the state income tax to a flat rate of 2.75% over two years.

 

Current Status:   

3/26/2025 - House Ways and Means, (First Hearing)

 

Recent Status:   

2/5/2025 - Referred to Committee House Ways and Means
2/3/2025 - Introduced

 

State Bill Page:   

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-HB-30

 

HB79

INCREASED PENALTY-ASSAULTING SPORTS OFFICIALS (ROEMER B, MILLER J) To 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.

 

Current Status:   

3/26/2025 - House Judiciary, (Third Hearing)

 

Recent Status:   

3/19/2025 - House Judiciary, (Second Hearing)
3/5/2025 - House Judiciary, (First Hearing)

 

State Bill Page:   

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-HB-79

 

HB190

PUBLIC SCHOOLS-GENDER PRONOUN USE (NEWMAN J, WILLIAMS J) To enact the Given Name Act regarding the use of gender pronouns in public schools.

 

Current Status:   

3/26/2025 - Referred to Committee House Education

 

Recent Status:   

3/24/2025 - Introduced

 

State Bill Page:   

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-HB-190

 

HB187

REQUIRE SCHOOLS PROVIDE MOMENT OF SILENCE (CLICK G, SYNENBERG E) To require rather than permit school districts to provide a moment of silence each school day.

 

Current Status:   

3/26/2025 - Referred to Committee House Education

 

Recent Status:   

3/19/2025 - Introduced

 

State Bill Page:   

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-HB-187

 

HB193

REGARDING OHIO ABLE ACCOUNTS (BARHORST T, LORENZ B) Regarding Ohio ABLE accounts and to make an appropriation.

 

Current Status:   

3/26/2025 - Referred to Committee House Public Insurance and Pensions

 

Recent Status:   

3/24/2025 - Introduced

 

State Bill Page:   

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-HB-193

 

HB127

WITHHOLDING SCHOOL DIRECTORIES-PUBLIC RECORDS (MATHEWS A, ODIOSO M) To permit schools to withhold directory information and to remove directory information from the public record definition.

 

Current Status:   

3/25/2025 - House Education, (First Hearing)

 

Recent Status:   

2/26/2025 - Referred to Committee House Education
2/24/2025 - Introduced

 

State Bill Page:   

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-HB-127

 

HB114

KINDERGARTEN ADMISSION AGE REQUIREMENTS (BIRD A, RITTER K) Regarding age requirements for kindergarten admission.

 

Current Status:   

3/25/2025 - House Education, (First Hearing)

 

Recent Status:   

2/26/2025 - Referred to Committee House Education
2/18/2025 - Introduced

 

State Bill Page:   

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-HB-114

 

HB145

INCREASE MINIMUM SCHOOL HOURS (BIRD A) Regarding the minimum number of hours in a school year.

 

Current Status:   

3/25/2025 - House Education, (First Hearing)

 

Recent Status:   

3/5/2025 - Referred to Committee House Education
3/3/2025 - Introduced

 

State Bill Page:   

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-HB-145

 

SB144

REGARDING EDUCATOR LICENSE GRADE BANDS (INGRAM C) Regarding educator license grade bands.

 

Current Status:   

3/25/2025 - Senate Education, (First Hearing)

 

Recent Status:   

3/19/2025 - Referred to Committee Senate Education
3/11/2025 - Introduced

 

State Bill Page:   

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-SB-144

 

SB113

PROHIBIT DEI-PUBLIC SCHOOLS (BRENNER A) To prohibit diversity, equity, and inclusion in public schools.

 

Current Status:   

3/25/2025 - Senate Education, (Second Hearing)

 

Recent Status:   

3/4/2025 - Senate Education, (First Hearing)
2/26/2025 - Referred to Committee Senate Education

 

State Bill Page:   

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-SB-113

 

SB19

REGARDING PUBLIC SCHOOLS-ACADEMIC INTERVENTION (BRENNER A) With regard to academic intervention services at public schools and the establishment of mathematics improvement and intervention plans.

 

Current Status:   

3/25/2025 - SUBSTITUTE BILL ACCEPTED, Senate Education, (Third Hearing)

 

Recent Status:   

2/11/2025 - Senate Education, (Second Hearing)
1/29/2025 - Referred to Committee Senate Education

 

State Bill Page:   

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-SB-19

 

SB141

AUTHORIZE TAX LEVIES-PRE-KINDERGARTEN PROGRAMS (HICKS-HUDSON P) To authorize counties and other political subdivisions to place on the ballot tax levies supporting pre-kindergarten programs and to establish conditions on a county's use of moneys derived from the levied tax.

 

Current Status:   

3/19/2025 - Referred to Committee Senate Local Government

 

Recent Status:   

3/11/2025 - Introduced

 

State Bill Page:   

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-SB-141

 

HB179

STATEWIDE SCREENING-PROPERTY TAX REDUCTIONS (STEPHENS J) To create a statewide screening system for certain property tax reductions and to make an appropriation.

 

Current Status:   

3/19/2025 - Referred to Committee House Ways and Means

 

Recent Status:   

3/17/2025 - Introduced

 

State Bill Page:   

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-HB-179

 

HB172

REQUIRE PARENTAL CONSENT-MINORS' MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE (NEWMAN J) To prohibit the provision of mental health services to minors without parental consent.

 

Current Status:   

3/19/2025 - Referred to Committee House Health

 

Recent Status:   

3/12/2025 - Introduced

 

State Bill Page:   

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-HB-172

 

HB150

SCHOOL REPORTING-YOUTH LABOR LAW VIOLATIONS (MCNALLY L, WHITE E) To enact the Clock Out Kids Act to require school employees to report certain minor labor law violations, to increase penalties for certain minor labor law violations, and to create the Minor Labor Law Enforcement Fund; and to make an appropriation.

 

Current Status:   

3/19/2025 - Referred to Committee House Commerce and Labor

 

Recent Status:   

3/4/2025 - Introduced

 

State Bill Page:   

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-HB-150

 

HB155

PROHIBIT DEI-PUBLIC SCHOOLS (LEAR B, WILLIAMS J) To prohibit diversity, equity, and inclusion in public schools.

 

Current Status:   

3/19/2025 - Referred to Committee House Education

 

Recent Status:   

3/6/2025 - Introduced

 

State Bill Page:   

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-HB-155

 

HB153

SCHOOL BOARD ELECTIONS-PARTY DESIGNATION (LEAR B, HALL T) To require state and school district board members to be nominated by primary election and to appear on the ballot with a party designation.

 

Current Status:   

3/19/2025 - Referred to Committee House General Government

 

Recent Status:   

3/6/2025 - Introduced

 

State Bill Page:   

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-HB-153

 

HB41

ESTABLISH CHILD CARE GRANT PROGRAMS (WHITE A, ROEMER B) To establish certain child care grant programs, including those related to child care capacity and learning labs, and to make an appropriation.

 

Current Status:   

3/18/2025 - House Children and Human Services, (Second Hearing)

 

Recent Status:   

2/12/2025 - House Children and Human Services, (First Hearing)
2/5/2025 - Referred to Committee House Children and Human Services

 

State Bill Page:   

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-HB-41

 

HB2

ESTABLISH CHILD CARE CRED PROGRAM (JOHNSON M) To establish the Child Care Cred Program and to make an appropriation.

 

Current Status:   

3/18/2025 - House Children and Human Services, (Second Hearing)

 

Recent Status:   

2/4/2025 - House Children and Human Services, (First Hearing)
1/28/2025 - Referred to Committee House Children and Human Services

 

State Bill Page:   

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-HB-2

 

HB117

SCHOOL REQUIREMENT-PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE (RICHARDSON T, BRENNAN S) To enact The Pledge of Allegiance Act to require the Pledge of Allegiance in schools.

 

Current Status:   

3/11/2025 - House Education, (First Hearing)

 

Recent Status:   

2/26/2025 - Referred to Committee House Education
2/24/2025 - Introduced

 

State Bill Page:   

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-HB-117

 

HB125

SCHOOL ABSENCES-4-H, FFA (HALL T, CREECH R) Regarding excused absences from school to participate in 4-H and FFA programs.

 

Current Status:   

3/11/2025 - House Education, (First Hearing)

 

Recent Status:   

2/26/2025 - Referred to Committee House Education
2/24/2025 - Introduced

 

State Bill Page:   

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-HB-125

 

HB7

PFCC ELIGIBILITY-FOSTER, KINSHIP CARE (WHITE A, RAY S) To make foster caregivers and kinship caregivers eligible for publicly funded child care.

 

Current Status:   

3/11/2025 - House Children and Human Services, (Second Hearing)

 

Recent Status:   

2/4/2025 - House Children and Human Services, (First Hearing)
1/28/2025 - Referred to Committee House Children and Human Services

 

State Bill Page:   

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-HB-7

 

SB35

SUPPORTED DECISION MAKING-ADULT GUARDIANSHIP (CIRINO J, REYNOLDS M) To establish supported decision making as a less restrictive alternative to guardianship for adults with developmental disabilities.

 

Current Status:   

3/5/2025 - Senate Judiciary, (Second Hearing)

 

Recent Status:   

2/19/2025 - Senate Judiciary, (First Hearing)
1/29/2025 - Referred to Committee Senate Judiciary

 

State Bill Page:   

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-SB-35

 

SB62

SCHOOL BUS SAFETY-PENALTIES, MONTH DESIGNATION (GAVARONE T) To authorize a civil penalty system related to drivers who illegally pass a school bus but cannot be identified, to designate the month of August as "School Bus Safety Awareness Month," and to designate this act as the School Bus Safety Act.

 

Current Status:   

3/5/2025 - Senate Judiciary, (Second Hearing)

 

Recent Status:   

2/19/2025 - Senate Judiciary, (First Hearing)
1/29/2025 - Referred to Committee Senate Judiciary

 

State Bill Page:   

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-SB-62

 

SB66

SCHOOL DISTRICTS-MILLAGE CALCULATION (O'BRIEN S, LANG G) To include emergency levies, substitute levies, all inside millage, and school district income taxes in the calculation of a school district's effective millage floor.

 

Current Status:   

3/4/2025 - Senate Ways and Means, (Third Hearing)

 

Recent Status:   

2/25/2025 - Senate Ways and Means, (Second Hearing)
2/18/2025 - Senate Ways and Means, (First Hearing)

 

State Bill Page:   

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-SB-66

 

SB107

REQUIRE PARTY DESIGNATION-SCHOOL BOARDS BALLOTS (BRENNER A) To require state and school district board members to appear on the ballot with a party designation.

 

Current Status:   

2/26/2025 - SUBSTITUTE BILL ACCEPTED, Senate General Government, (First Hearing)

 

Recent Status:   

2/19/2025 - Referred to Committee Senate General Government
2/18/2025 - Introduced

 

State Bill Page:   

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-SB-107

 

HB106

SCHOOL SAFETY-PANIC ALERTS, FIREARM DETECTION (KING A, MILLER M) To enact Alyssa's Law to establish a pilot grant program for public and chartered nonpublic schools to purchase panic alert systems or contract for artificial intelligence firearm detection software and to make an appropriation.

 

Current Status:   

2/26/2025 - Referred to Committee House Finance

 

Recent Status:   

2/18/2025 - Introduced

 

State Bill Page:   

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-HB-106

 

SB68

ESTABLISH NONCHARTERED ED SAVINGS ACCT PROGRAM (ROMANCHUK M) To establish the Nonchartered Educational Savings Account Program and to make an appropriation.

 

Current Status:   

2/25/2025 - Senate Finance, (Second Hearing)

 

Recent Status:   

2/18/2025 - Senate Finance, (First Hearing)
2/12/2025 - Referred to Committee Senate Finance

 

State Bill Page:   

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-SB-68

 

SB109

PROVIDE BREAKFAST, LUNCH-SCHOOL STUDENTS (BLESSING III L, SMITH K) To provide breakfast and lunch at no cost to public and chartered nonpublic school students, and to make an appropriation.

 

Current Status:   

2/19/2025 - Referred to Committee Senate Finance

 

Recent Status:   

2/18/2025 - Introduced

 

State Bill Page:   

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-SB-109

 

SB32

ESTABLISH CHILD CARE CRED PROGRAM (REYNOLDS M, SCHAFFER T) To establish the Child Care Cred Program and to make an appropriation.

 

Current Status:   

2/18/2025 - Senate Finance, (First Hearing)

 

Recent Status:   

1/29/2025 - Referred to Committee Senate Finance
1/22/2025 - Introduced

 

State Bill Page:   

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-SB-32

 

SB44

ALLOW CONCURRENT SCHOLARSHIPS-EDCHOICE, SPECIAL NEEDS (O'BRIEN S) To permit students to concurrently receive an Educational Choice scholarship or Pilot Project scholarship and either an Autism or Jon Peterson Special Needs scholarship and to make an appropriation.

 

Current Status:   

2/18/2025 - Senate Finance, (First Hearing)

 

Recent Status:   

2/12/2025 - Re-Referred to Committee
1/29/2025 - Senate Education, (First Hearing)

 

State Bill Page:   

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-SB-44

 

SB93

DECLARE INTENT-NEW SCHOOL FINANCING SYSTEM (BRENNER A) To declare the General Assembly's intent to establish a new school financing system that provides a statewide per-pupil funding payment to public and chartered nonpublic schools based on a single statewide property tax and increased state sales tax.

 

Current Status:   

2/12/2025 - Referred to Committee Senate Finance

 

Recent Status:   

2/10/2025 - Introduced

 

State Bill Page:   

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-SB-93

 

SB49

ELIMINATE RIGHT OF REFUSAL-SCHOOL DISTRICT PROPERTY (INGRAM C) To eliminate the right of first refusal for certain schools in the acquisition of school district real property.

 

Current Status:   

2/11/2025 - Senate Education, (First Hearing)

 

Recent Status:   

1/29/2025 - Referred to Committee Senate Education
1/28/2025 - Introduced

 

State Bill Page:   

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-SB-49

 

SB48

AUDITING CHARTERED NONPUBLIC SCHOOLS (INGRAM C) Regarding the auditing of chartered nonpublic schools.

 

Current Status:   

2/11/2025 - Senate Education, (First Hearing)

 

Recent Status:   

1/29/2025 - Referred to Committee Senate Education
1/28/2025 - Introduced

 

State Bill Page:   

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-SB-48

 

SB47

REQUIRE SCHOOL DISCLOSURE-FOR-PROFIT STATUS (INGRAM C) To require disclosure of the for-profit status of community school operators and post-secondary educational institutions on various promotional materials and contracts for employment.

 

Current Status:   

2/11/2025 - Senate Education, (First Hearing)

 

Recent Status:   

1/29/2025 - Referred to Committee Senate Education
1/28/2025 - Introduced

 

State Bill Page:   

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-SB-47

 

HB26

REQUIRE STATE, LOCAL IMMIGRATION COOPERATION (WILLIAMS J, FISCHER T) To require state and local authorities to cooperate with the federal government in the enforcement of immigration laws, to prescribe funding reductions for noncompliance, to name this act the Protecting Ohio Communities Act, and to declare an emergency.

 

Current Status:   

2/5/2025 - Referred to Committee House Public Safety

 

Recent Status:   

1/28/2025 - Introduced

 

State Bill Page:   

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-HB-26

 

SB12

COMMUNITY FOUNDATIONS-PUBLIC SCHOOLS, CHARITABLE FUNDS (WILSON S, CIRINO J) To permit community foundations to create component funds of any charitable funds received by public schools and to classify some funds held by a community foundation as institutional funds.

 

Current Status:   

1/29/2025 - Referred to Committee Senate Finance

 

Recent Status:   

1/22/2025 - Introduced

 

State Bill Page:   

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-SB-12

 

SB13

ESTABLISH FOSTER TO COLLEGE PROGRAM (REYNOLDS M) To establish the Foster-to-College Scholarship Program, to require the Department of Education and Workforce to hire a full-time school foster care liaison, and to make an appropriation for the Foster-to-College Scholarship Program.

 

Current Status:   

1/29/2025 - Referred to Committee Senate Finance

 

Recent Status:   

1/22/2025 - Introduced

 

State Bill Page:   

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-SB-13

 

SB3

PHASE DOWN OHIO INCOME TAX (LANG G, HUFFMAN S) To phase-down the state income tax to a flat rate of 2.75% over two years.

 

Current Status:   

1/29/2025 - Referred to Committee Senate Ways and Means

 

Recent Status:   

1/29/2025 - Senate Ways and Means, (First Hearing)
1/22/2025 - Introduced

 

State Bill Page:   

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-SB-3

 

HB6

REGARDING STATE HIGHER EDUCATION OPERATIONS (YOUNG T) To enact the Advance Ohio Higher Education Act regarding the operation of state institutions of higher education.

 

Current Status:   

1/28/2025 - Referred to Committee House Workforce and Higher Education

 

Recent Status:   

1/23/2025 - Introduced

 

State Bill Page:   

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-HB-6

Latest News from Capital Square

CHILDREN/FAMILIES

Policy researchers gave an overview Monday of the role of Medicaid in covering Ohio's children and the potential effects of proposed federal policy changes floating around Washington, D.C. The Legislative Children's Caucus virtual meeting featured presentations on the topic from Guillermo Bervejillo of Children's Defense Fund-Ohio, Kathryn Poe of Policy Matters Ohio and Elisabeth Wright Burak of the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families. Burak and Poe discussed some of the options being discussed by Republicans in Congress for finding savings in Medicaid, including spending caps and restrictions on the health care taxes that states can levy on providers and facilities in order to generate money they can then use to draw down federal matching dollars.

Mobile app stores would be required to verify a user's age and obtain parental consent before allowing a child under age 16 to download an app under bills proposed by Sen. Michele Reynolds (R-Columbus) and Rep. Melanie Miller (R-Ashland). "Parents across Ohio tell me that they want clear, efficient ways to oversee the apps that their children use. They expect a consistent standard of protection, and they deserve it," Reynolds said Thursday during a Statehouse press conference on SB167, which was introduced earlier this week and referred to the Senate Financial Institutions, Insurance and Technology Committee. Miller said she would be introducing a companion bill soon, and also discussed the need for parents to have adequate tools to protect their children from potential harm caused by social media.

The Ohio Chamber of Commerce's Summit on Child Care Policy included discussions on industry workforce and related business engagement strategies. The workforce discussion included Chris Angellatta, CEO of the Ohio Child Care Resource and Referral Association; Tatiana Wells, program director for early childhood and teacher education at Cuyahoga Community College; and David Smith, executive director of Horizon Education Centers. Asked about highs and lows regarding the workforce, Angellatta said Ohio does a great job educating workers but struggles with staff retention as child care is hard work which doesn't pay well. The turnover issues make the job even more difficult, he added, but if it can be addressed then that would solve other issues as well.

ECONOMY

According to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS), Ohio's unemployment rate continued an upward trend to 4.7 percent in February, a rise from January's 4.6 percent, even as nonagricultural wage and salary employment increased 23,100 over the month, from a revised 5,658,000 in January to 5,681,100 in February. ODJFS said the number of workers unemployed in Ohio in February was 277,000, up from 271,000 in January 2025. The number of unemployed has increased by 42,000 in the past 12 months from 235,000. The February unemployment rate for Ohio increased 0.7 percentage points from 4.0 percent in February 2024. The U.S. unemployment rate for February 2025 was 4.1 percent, up from 4.0 percent in January 2025 and up from 3.9 percent in February 2024. Nationally, unemployment rates were higher in February in one state and stable in 49 states and the District of Columbia, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

EDUCATION

Gov. Mike DeWine, Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel and Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (DEW) Director Stephen Dackin announced winners of the state's business-education leader awards for excellent business advisory councils, recognizing their efforts to ensure education aligns with workforce needs. All Ohio school districts and educational service centers have a business advisory council, and the DeWine administration said those being honored exemplified "excellence in developing professional skills for the future, fostering partnerships and coordinating experiences that collectively prepare students for success. Ohio's business advisory councils play a vital role in ensuring Ohio's students are equipped with the skills and experiences they need to succeed in today's workforce and reach their full potential. By connecting educators and business leaders, these councils create pathways that bridge classroom learning with real-world career opportunities. We are proud to recognize councils that are leading the way in this important work, setting an example for others across the state, and positioning students for meaningful careers."

ELECTIONS

Secretary of State Frank LaRose announced that his office is investigating the purchase of an electronic pollbook by the Perry County Board of Elections. The board notified the secretary of state's office about the newly purchased tablet-style device that appears to violate Ohio's election security standards. The device would have been used to check voters into a polling location but has not been deployed in an election, the secretary of state's office said.

Sens. Theresa Gavarone (R-Bowling Green) and Andrew Brenner (R-Delaware) announced the introduction of legislation that would require proof of citizenship in order to vote. Introduced in mid-March, SB153 (Gavarone-Brenner) comes as President Donald Trump signed an executive order Tuesday requiring proof of citizenship to vote in federal elections, with the potential to lose federal funds for not complying with the order. The bill also states that if an individual's current legal name is different from the name on the individual's proof of citizenship, the individual also shall provide proof of the name change, such as a copy of a marriage license or court order. Additionally, the bill will bar the use of drop boxes to return absentee ballots at county boards of elections.

ELECTIONS 2026

Former state legislator Kevin Coughlin announced Wednesday that he is running again for the 13th Congressional District in 2026 after losing a tight race last year against incumbent U.S. Rep. Emilia Sykes (D-Akron). In one of the more competitive races in the Buckeye State, Sykes defeated Coughlin 51 percent to 49 percent. The race is expected to be competitive again next year, and the dynamics of the race could change depending on how lawmakers redraw congressional lines later this year.

Former state Rep. Craig Riedel (R-Defiance) announced plans Wednesday to run for the Ohio Senate seat currently held by the term-limited Senate President Rob McColley (R-Napoleon) in 2026. Riedel served three terms in the Ohio House before launching two failed bids for Congress. Before that, he spent 27 years in the steel industry at Nucor Vulcraft Group.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY/STATEHOUSE

The House Wednesday unanimously passed the budgets for the Industrial Commission (IC) and the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) with little debate. Rep. Bob Peterson (R-Sabina), chair of the Public Insurance and Pensions Committee, introduced both HB80 (Stewart), the IC budget, and HB81 (Stewart), the BWC budget on the floor. He said the IC budget is largely flat funded and continues the good work they do. On the BWC budget, he highlighted the most significant change, which would allow the BWC to purchase, repair and replace prosthetic devices even if the life of the claim has expired. He was joined in support by the committee’s Ranking Member Sean Brennan (D-Parma), who said the bill will help IC bolster its virtual hearing process, but he said it should be optional as some injured workers in some cases need to be before those who adjudicate those cases.

The House also voted 75-20 on SB33 (Wilson), which allows the online posting of certain labor notices, sending it on to the governor for his signature. The vote was the same as last week's vote on companion bill HB94 (A. Mathews-T. Hall).

The House also unanimously passed HB51 (Klopfenstein-King), designating a portion of U.S. Route 33 in Auglaize County as the "Lt. James A. Kirkendall Memorial Highway"; and HB65 (Klopfenstein-Peterson), which Rep. Roy Klopfenstein (R-Haviland) said would recognize several agricultural days in state law.

Ohio farmers would have another option for health coverage under legislation passed by the Senate on Wednesday. The Senate voted 32-0 to approve SB100 (Manchester), which exempts health care coverage provided to members of the Ohio Farm Bureau -- or other nonprofit agricultural membership organizations -- from oversight by the Ohio Department of Insurance and state insurance regulations.

In other action, the Senate unanimously adopted SR68 (Roegner), which urges NASA to move its headquarters to Ohio.

The Senate also unanimously passed HB43 (Fowler Arthur-D. Thomas), which requires the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce to waive up to 24 hours of the required minimum number of hours that Ashtabula Lakeside High School must be open with students in attendance during the 2024-2025 school year. The emergency clause added to the bill was also approved unanimously.

Finally, the Senate unanimously approved SCR7 (Koehler), which urges Congress to reissue U.S. Department of Defense Civilian Retiree Identification Cards.

House Speaker Matt Huffman (R-Lima) discussed the Haslam Sports Group proposal for $600 million in state bonds toward new stadium construction that is now part of the House's substitute budget bill HB96 (Stewart), saying the group has guaranteed it as an organization and will put up a $35 million cash bond at the beginning -- actions which don't happen in other bond projects. Huffman also noted Haslam Sports Group will be investing $2.4 billion in addition to the state money.

Asked about how foodbanks are seeking more state funding to keep up with demand, Huffman said the House is going through several thousand line-items and he didn't know the specifics on what foodbanks are getting, what they previously received and how it is being used.

Responding to another question about cuts in H2Ohio funding, he said that program has achieved many of the goals it set out to do and money from that fund can be used by "many of the other programs." He also called it a "balancing" and said he didn't think the overall program was in danger.

With the House not recommending a tax cut, Huffman noted the work of previous General Assemblies to get the state income tax to two brackets. "The fundamental question that needs to be studied for those who want to eliminate income tax is, either we're going to cut some public services or increase other taxes," he said, adding that he would be surprised if the Senate had a cut, but said it will remain on the table as long as there is an income tax.

A bipartisan group of House and Senate members Wednesday announced the formation of the Ohio Trucking Caucus with the goal of advancing legislation and policies to assist the state's trucking and logistics industries. Rep. Jack Daniels (R-New Franklin) said he has been in the trucking industry for almost 40 years and has experienced all of the challenges of long hours and hard work that those in the industry put in day and night.

According to a survey by the National Conference of State Legislators (NCSL), state lawmakers include men and women from an array of racial and ethnic backgrounds, but were most likely over the age of 50, male, White, had completed some form of higher education, had sources of income beyond legislative compensation, and were married without dependents in the home. Most respondents served three or fewer terms at the time of the survey; 9.5 percent held chamber or caucus leadership positions; 44 percent served as committee chairs; 54 percent were Democrats, 43 percent were Republicans, and 2 percent identified as nonpartisan or other party; and nearly 75 percent planned to run for office again, and nearly half of them indicated political ambitions beyond the state legislature.

In other legislative action, the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee reported out SB147 (Reineke) which addresses issues around Seneca County and a solid waste management district; and the Senate Health Committee reported out HB4 (Holmes-C. Thomas) which designates Sept. 19 as “Ohio Stillbirth Prevention Day.”

HIGHER EDUCATION

Gov. Mike DeWine's office announced Friday that he signed SB1 (Cirino), a sweeping and controversial higher education proposal that stalled in the prior session but got swift consideration this year under new House leadership. DeWine had indicated recently he was likely to sign it, pending a review of the final version, but that didn't stop numerous groups from urging a veto. The bill was sent to him Wednesday, shortly after the Senate agreed to House changes to the bill. The governor did not make a statement explaining the signing or hold a public event. Instead, his office announced he'd signed the bill and sent a picture of DeWine with the signed bill, flanked by the sponsor, Sen. Jerry Cirino (R-Kirtland), Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel, Speaker Matt Huffman (R-Lima), House Workforce and Higher Education Committee Chair Tom Young (R-Washington Township) and Rep. Josh Williams (R-Oregon). Cirino advanced the bill as 135-SB83 last session but eventually said he'd quit negotiating with then-Speaker Jason Stephens (R-Kitts Hill) and would await a change in the House, as Huffman was known at the time to be vying for Stephens' gavel.

Ohio's community colleges are experiencing an increase in enrollment, according to a recent report from the National Student Clearinghouse. The report showed fall 2024 enrollment estimates increasing by 6.4 percent compared to the previous year and outpacing the national average growth rate of 5.9 percent. This jump in enrollment underscores the role of Ohio's 22 community colleges in preparing a workforce to meet the demands of the state's economy.

Charles F. Bolden Jr., former NASA administrator, astronaut and U.S Marine major general, will deliver the spring commencement address to the Ohio State University graduating class of 2025 on Sunday, May 4. Appointed NASA's 12th administrator by former President Barack Obama, Bolden led NASA from 2009 to 2017. During his time as administrator, Bolden oversaw the agency's transition from space shuttle missions to a new age of using the International Space Station and innovative space and aeronautics technology development. The agency, under his leadership, also moved to using commercial vehicles for the transport of U.S. cargo and crews to low Earth orbit and developed a new strategic plan which led to the design and development of experimental airplanes making flight more efficient.

Neville G. Pinto, president of University of Cincinnati (UC), announced that Gerald "Gerry" Bradley, previously named UC's new executive vice president for academic affairs and provost, had moved on to "pursue other opportunities" and would not be joining the university in June. Bradley, who had been set to succeed Valerio Ferme at UC, was instead named the University of Louisville's (UofL) 20th president, effective immediately, following the acceptance of President Kim Schatzel's resignation during a UofL Board of Trustees special meeting Wednesday, March 26. Bradley had served as the UofL executive vice president and university provost prior to his being named president

Marion Technical College (MTC) was one of 10 finalists for the 2025 Bellwether Awards from the Bellwether College Consortium, a group of colleges focused on addressing critical issues facing community colleges. While MTC did not win the top prize, the college was recognized for its work with Columbus State Community College (CSCC), a financial partnership that has brought success to MTC and its students. Before entering the collaboration with CSCC, MTC received less than $500,000 in grants from FY16 through FY20.

MEDICAID/MEDICAID REFORM

Nearly every member of the House and Senate Democratic caucuses signed on to a letter to federal officials asking them not to approve the DeWine administration's latest attempt to institute work requirements for people enrolled in the Medicaid expansion group. They argue the loss of coverage for those who don't meet the requirements will lead to costlier acute care and pointed to cautionary indicators from other states' experience with work requirements. The federal government took comments on Ohio's request for a 1115 Demonstration Waiver to institute work requirements through Tuesday, April 7.

PENSIONS

Attorney General Dave Yost followed through Wednesday on the State Teachers Retirement System's (STRS) agreement to enter and seek leadership of litigation against retailer Target over investment losses, stemming from what Yost describes as a "divisive social agenda" pursued by the company. Yost and STRS recently had sparred in correspondence regarding the lawsuit, which STRS initially resisted joining. The estimated losses to STRS from Target's stock value decline were under the $10 million threshold spelled out in STRS' policies regarding when joining securities litigation makes sense. But after hearing from Yost's office in closed-door executive session talks, the pension fund ultimately decided to join the case. The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court in Florida.

PEOPLE

The Ohio Association for Career and Technical Education (Ohio ACTE) announced that Katherine Hite has been appointed as the organization's assistant director. Hite officially joined Ohio ACTE in her new role on Tuesday, April 1.

POVERTY

Data released by the Health Policy Institute of Ohio (HPIO) highlight a potential child poverty reduction that may follow an increased and refundable child tax credit (CTC) after Gov. DeWine called for a refundable $1,000 CTC for eligible families with children six years old and under in Ohio's proposed biennial budget. In 2021, the passage of the American Rescue Plan (ARP) allowed for federal expansion of the CTC and made the funds fully refundable to families receiving the aid. According to HPIO data, the passage of ARP led to a 55 percent drop in national child poverty, eliminating both deep poverty (income less than half of the federal poverty level) and extreme poverty (living on $2 or less a day per person).

At the state level, data collected using the supplemental poverty measure (SPM), showed that the percentage of Ohioans under 18 living in poverty dropped to 5.1 percent after ARP. HPIO data reported that 90 percent of Ohio households receiving the CTC in 2021 used the credit to cover basic needs such as food, clothing, rent, mortgage and utilities as well as educational expenses.

STATE GOVERNMENT

The Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC) recently added quarterly information on the grants it has awarded into the DataOhio portal. According to the Department of Administrative Services (DAS), 18 state agency programs provide information to the portal and there are more than 300 total datasets. The OFCC data, current through Dec. 31, 2024, includes grants awarded in specific counties and by year. Users can also sort by type of grants, including for Appalachian community innovation centers, cultural facilities, community schools, career technical construction, school safety programs and for MARCS radios. Dashboard information is limited to applications which received an award. Sports facility grants are not included in the data as well.

TAXATION

House members heard two bills Wednesday designed to address rising education levies and property taxes driven by failed school issues and spiking home values. The House Ways and Means Committee held first hearings on HB186 (Hoops-Thomas), which would sync school levy increases with inflation rather than unvoted mills, and HB103 (Troy-Hall), which would expand eligibility for the senior homestead exemption from the current income cap of $38,600 to a marginally higher $45,000 and increase the property tax deduction from a minimally adjusted $26,200 to nearly twice that, or $50,000. Reps. Jim Hoops (R-Napoleon), joint sponsor of HB186, said the legislation addresses the "number one" policy concern of all homeowners, while Rep. Thomas Hall (R-Middletown), joint sponsor of HB103, said his legislation seeks to assist Ohio's "most vulnerable" property taxpayers -- the elderly and people with developmental disabilities.

actionTRACK - Hannah News Service, Inc.

 This Legislative e-Update is a service of OESCA and is intended to provide updated information on the legislative issues of interest to Ohio's ESCs, OESCA members & interested parties and is made available by Hannah News Services.

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