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Legislative e-Update for August 10, 2025

By Craig Burford posted 08-10-2025 07:38 AM

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This August 10, 2025, Legislative e-Update is provided by OESCA to Ohio’s ESCs, their client school districts, and other key education stakeholders. The e-Update provides information on the state budget and other pending education bills of interest to Ohio’s public education community introduced during the 136^th 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 from last week.

The downloadable versions for OESCA members are available at: https://www.oesca.org/viewdocument/legislative-eupdate-for-august-10?CommunityKey=e25c3e7b-d192-458d-bbfc-018fe042b4c4&tab=librarydocuments. The 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.

Legislative Tracking Report: 136^th General Assembly

HB394	PROVIDE STUDENT CHOICE GRANTS (TROY D, BRENNAN S) To enact the Student Choice Grant Program and to make an appropriation.
	*Current Status:*	7/21/2025 - Introduced
	*Recent Status:*
	*State Bill Page:*	https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-HB-394

HB57	OVERDOSE REVERSAL DRUGS, SCHOOL POLICIES (JARRELLS D, WILLIAMS J) Regarding school policies on the administration of overdose reversal drugs.
	*Current Status:*	6/24/2025 - SUBSTITUTE BILL ACCEPTED, Senate Education, (Third Hearing)
	*Recent Status:*	6/17/2025 - Senate Education, (Second Hearing) 6/10/2025 - Senate Education, (First Hearing)
	*State Bill Page:*	https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-HB-57

HB369	K-3 DIAGNOSTIC ASSESSMENT CHANGES (FOWLER S, LEAR B) To change diagnostic assessments for grades kindergarten through two to end-of-year nationally norm-referenced diagnostic assessments and for the third grade to beginning-of-year nationally norm-referenced diagnostic assessments.
	*Current Status:*	6/18/2025 - Introduced
	*Recent Status:*
	*State Bill Page:*	https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-HB-369

HB359	CLARIFY STATEWIDE ALERTS-CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES (THOMAS C, GROSS J) To clarify the statewide emergency alert system in cases of missing autistic or developmentally disabled children and to name the alert the Joshua Alert.
	*Current Status:*	6/18/2025 - Referred to Committee House Children and Human Services
	*Recent Status:*	6/12/2025 - Introduced
	*State Bill Page:*	https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-HB-359

HB371	MANDATORY REPORTING-ELECTED OFFICIALS (PLUMMER P, YOUNG T) To make elected officials mandatory reporters of child abuse and neglect.
	*Current Status:*	6/18/2025 - Introduced
	*Recent Status:*
	*State Bill Page:*	https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-HB-371

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:*	6/18/2025 - BILL AMENDED, Senate Judiciary, (Third Hearing)
	*Recent Status:*	5/7/2025 - Senate Judiciary, (Second Hearing) 4/9/2025 - Senate Judiciary, (First Hearing)
	*State Bill Page:*	https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-SB-163

HB365	PROVIDE PROPERTY TAX REFUNDS (BRENNAN S, HALL D) To authorize a refundable income tax credit or rebate for homeowners and renters whose property taxes or a portion of their rent exceed five per cent of their income and to name this act the Property Tax Refund Act.
	*Current Status:*	6/18/2025 - Referred to Committee House Ways and Means
	*Recent Status:*	6/17/2025 - Introduced
	*State Bill Page:*	https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-HB-365

HB355	INCREASE TAX APPROVAL THRESHOLD (KING A, THOMAS D) To increase the approval threshold required for passage of local taxes subject to voter approval.
	*Current Status:*	6/18/2025 - Referred to Committee House General Government
	*Recent Status:*	6/11/2025 - Introduced
	*State Bill Page:*	https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-HB-355

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:*	6/17/2025 - Senate Education, (Second Hearing)
	*Recent Status:*	6/10/2025 - Senate Education, (First Hearing) 6/4/2025 - Referred to Committee Senate Education
	*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:*	6/17/2025 - Senate Education, (Second Hearing)
	*Recent Status:*	6/10/2025 - Senate Education, (First Hearing) 5/28/2025 - Referred to Committee Senate Education
	*State Bill Page:*	https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-HB-114

HB283	CYBERSECURITY REQUIREMENT-POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS (MATHEWS A, GHANBARI H) To require political subdivisions to adopt a cybersecurity program.
	*Current Status:*	6/17/2025 - House Technology and Innovation, (Second Hearing)
	*Recent Status:*	6/3/2025 - House Technology and Innovation, (First Hearing) 5/21/2025 - Referred to Committee House Technology and Innovation
	*State Bill Page:*	https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-HB-283

HB327	PARENTS' RIGHTS-CHILD HEALTH CARE, EDUCATION (BROWNLEE K, BREWER D) To protect parents' rights to equitable access to medical care, behavioral health care, hygiene care, and educational opportunities for their children and to name this act the Parents' Rights to Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity (P.R.I.D.E.) Act.
	*Current Status:*	6/11/2025 - Referred to Committee House Children and Human Services
	*Recent Status:*	6/3/2025 - Introduced
	*State Bill Page:*	https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-HB-327

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:*	6/11/2025 - PASSED BY HOUSE; Vote 90-0
	*Recent Status:*	6/11/2025 - Bills for Third Consideration 5/27/2025 - REPORTED OUT AS AMENDED, House Finance, (Second Hearing)
	*State Bill Page:*	https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-HB-3

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:*	6/11/2025 - Senate Local Government, (First Hearing)
	*Recent Status:*	3/19/2025 - Referred to Committee Senate Local Government 3/11/2025 - Introduced
	*State Bill Page:*	https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-SB-141

HB304	P.E. REQUIREMENTS-CLUB SPORTS (YOUNG T, MILLER M) To permit students to use club sports or other athletic activity to fulfill the high school physical education requirement and to require recess time for K-8 students.
	*Current Status:*	6/10/2025 - House Education, (First Hearing)
	*Recent Status:*	5/28/2025 - Referred to Committee House Education 5/27/2025 - Introduced
	*State Bill Page:*	https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-HB-304

HB322	PRESIDENTIAL FITNESS TEST REQUIREMENT (LORENZ B, ROGERS E) To require schools to administer the Presidential Fitness Test and to name this act the Ohio Fitness Test Act.
	*Current Status:*	6/10/2025 - House Education, (First Hearing)
	*Recent Status:*	6/4/2025 - Referred to Committee House Education 6/3/2025 - Introduced
	*State Bill Page:*	https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-HB-322

HB314	RESTRICT DISRUPTIVE RECORD REQUESTS (ISAACSOHN D, RAY S) To restrict harassing or disruptive public records requests and permit private contractors to respond to voluminous public records requests.
	*Current Status:*	6/4/2025 - Referred to Committee House Judiciary
	*Recent Status:*	6/3/2025 - Introduced
	*State Bill Page:*	https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-HB-314

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:*	6/4/2025 - House Judiciary, (Third Hearing)
	*Recent Status:*	5/14/2025 - House Judiciary, (Second Hearing) 5/7/2025 - House Judiciary, (First Hearing)
	*State Bill Page:*	https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-HB-203

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:*	6/4/2025 - BILL AMENDED, House Ways and Means, (Fourth Hearing)
	*Recent Status:*	5/7/2025 - House Ways and Means, (Third Hearing) 4/9/2025 - House Ways and Means, (Second Hearing)
	*State Bill Page:*	https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-HB-186

HB269	REGARDING SUCCESS SEQUENCE, CHARACTER EDUCATION (RITTER K, NEWMAN J) Regarding success sequence and character education curriculum.
	*Current Status:*	6/3/2025 - House Education, (First Hearing)
	*Recent Status:*	5/14/2025 - Referred to Committee House Education 5/13/2025 - Introduced
	*State Bill Page:*	https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-HB-269

HB294	REGARDING INTRADISTRICT OPEN ENROLLMENT (MATHEWS T, RITTER K) Regarding school district intradistrict open enrollment policies.
	*Current Status:*	6/3/2025 - House Education, (First Hearing)
	*Recent Status:*	5/21/2025 - Referred to Committee House Education 5/20/2025 - Introduced
	*State Bill Page:*	https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-HB-294

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:*	6/3/2025 - House Education, (Second Hearing)
	*Recent Status:*	5/13/2025 - House Education, (First Hearing) 3/26/2025 - Referred to Committee House Education
	*State Bill Page:*	https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-HB-187

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:*	6/3/2025 - House Education, (Third Hearing)
	*Recent Status:*	5/20/2025 - 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-117

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:*	6/3/2025 - House Finance, (First Hearing)
	*Recent Status:*	5/21/2025 - Re-Referred to Committee 5/14/2025 - Re-Referred to Committee
	*State Bill Page:*	https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-HB-41

SB158	PROHIBIT CELL PHONES-PUBLIC SCHOOLS (TIMKEN J) To generally prohibit student cellular telephone use in public schools.
	*Current Status:*	6/3/2025 - House Education, (First Hearing)
	*Recent Status:*	5/21/2025 - Referred to Committee House Education 5/14/2025 - PASSED BY SENATE; Vote 30-2
	*State Bill Page:*	https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-SB-158

HB2	ESTABLISH CHILD CARE CRED PROGRAM (JOHNSON M) To establish the Child Care Cred Program and to make an appropriation.
	*Current Status:*	5/27/2025 - House Finance, (First Hearing)
	*Recent Status:*	5/21/2025 - Re-Referred to Committee 5/14/2025 - Re-Referred to Committee
	*State Bill Page:*	https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-HB-2

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:*	5/27/2025 - 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-12

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:*	5/21/2025 - House Health, (First Hearing)
	*Recent Status:*	3/19/2025 - Referred to Committee House Health 3/12/2025 - Introduced
	*State Bill Page:*	https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-HB-172

HB145	INCREASE MINIMUM SCHOOL HOURS (BIRD A) Regarding the minimum number of hours in a school year.
	*Current Status:*	5/20/2025 - House Education, (Fourth Hearing)
	*Recent Status:*	5/13/2025 - House Education, (Third Hearing) 5/6/2025 - House Education, (Second Hearing)
	*State Bill Page:*	https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-HB-145

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:*	5/20/2025 - BILL AMENDED, House Finance, (First Hearing)
	*Recent Status:*	2/26/2025 - Referred to Committee House Finance 2/18/2025 - Introduced
	*State Bill Page:*	https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-HB-106

HB155	PROHIBIT DEI-PUBLIC SCHOOLS (LEAR B, WILLIAMS J) To prohibit diversity, equity, and inclusion in public schools.
	*Current Status:*	5/20/2025 - House Education, (Second Hearing)
	*Recent Status:*	5/6/2025 - House Education, (First Hearing) 3/19/2025 - Referred to Committee House Education
	*State Bill Page:*	https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-HB-155

SB191	REGARDING CHARTERED NONPUBLIC SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIPS (HUFFMAN S) Regarding disadvantaged pupil impact aid for scholarship students attending chartered nonpublic schools and to make an appropriation.
	*Current Status:*	5/14/2025 - Referred to Committee Senate Finance
	*Recent Status:*	5/7/2025 - Introduced
	*State Bill Page:*	https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-SB-191

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:*	5/13/2025 - House Education, (Third Hearing)
	*Recent Status:*	5/6/2025 - 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-125

SB190	A GOOD DEAL FOR OHIO ACT (BLESSING III L) To modify the law governing property, income, sales and use, severance, and lodging taxes; to provide breakfast and lunch at no cost to public and chartered nonpublic school students; to increase the Local Government Fund; to modify funding for the Low- and Moderate-income Housing Trust Fund; and to name this act A Good Deal for Ohio.
	*Current Status:*	5/7/2025 - Referred to Committee Senate Finance
	*Recent Status:*	5/6/2025 - Introduced
	*State Bill Page:*	https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-SB-190

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:*	5/7/2025 - Senate Judiciary, (Third Hearing)
	*Recent Status:*	3/5/2025 - Senate Judiciary, (Second Hearing) 2/19/2025 - Senate Judiciary, (First Hearing)
	*State Bill Page:*	https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-SB-62

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:*	5/7/2025 - House Local Government, (Second Hearing)
	*Recent Status:*	4/2/2025 - House Local Government, (First Hearing) 3/19/2025 - Referred to Committee House Local Government
	*State Bill Page:*	https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-HB-154

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:*	5/6/2025 - House Education, (First Hearing)
	*Recent Status:*	4/2/2025 - Referred to Committee House Education 3/31/2025 - Introduced
	*State Bill Page:*	https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-HB-205

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:*	4/30/2025 - Referred to Committee House Education
	*Recent Status:*	4/9/2025 - PASSED BY SENATE; Vote 33-0 4/9/2025 - Bills for Third Consideration
	*State Bill Page:*	https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-SB-7

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:*	4/29/2025 - House Education, (First Hearing)
	*Recent Status:*	3/26/2025 - Referred to Committee House Education 3/19/2025 - Introduced
	*State Bill Page:*	https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-HB-189

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:*	4/29/2025 - House General Government, (First Hearing)
	*Recent Status:*	3/19/2025 - Referred to Committee House General Government 3/6/2025 - Introduced
	*State Bill Page:*	https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-HB-153

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:*	4/29/2025 - House Children and Human Services, (Third Hearing)
	*Recent Status:*	3/11/2025 - House Children and Human Services, (Second Hearing) 2/4/2025 - House Children and Human Services, (First Hearing)
	*State Bill Page:*	https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA136-HB-7

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:*	4/29/2025 - 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-190

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 be nominated by primary election and 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

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

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

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

Latest News from Capital Square

AMERICA 250-OHIO

A range of activities are being planned in other states for the nation's 250th anniversary next year, Ohio Commission for the U.S. Semiquincentennial (America 250-Ohio) Executive Director Todd Kleismit told attendees of a monthly webinar Friday, but Ohio is a leader for local engagement. He thanked Gov. Mike DeWine and the Legislature for their support in the budget, which resulted in final amounts of $8.75 million in FY26 and $2 million in FY27. Ohio activities he highlighted were the “Buckeye Train,” the “Ohio and the Revolution” webinar series, the “America’s River Roots” event and the “Trails and Tales” series. An activities calendar is coming soon.

FY26-27 BUDGET

According to preliminary figures released Wednesday by the Office of Budget and Management (OBM), the state collected a total of $2.3 billion in General Revenue Fund (GRF) tax dollars in July, the first month of FY26. This was 11.4 percent or $238.7 million more than was collected in July 2024 when nearly $2.1 billion was brought in. For FY26, the non-auto sales tax brought in $1.05 billion of the month's total. Together with the auto sales tax, a total of $1.2 billion was collected. The personal income tax accounted for the next highest total, bringing in $893.3 million in July. This was $150 million or 20.2 percent above last year. The Commercial Activity Tax (CAT) generated $120.3 million, a $7 million or 6.2 percent increase from July 2024.

IT’S IN THE FY26-27 BUDGET

Ohio Supreme Court justices as well as local judges and certain local officials are in line for a pay raise thanks to the biennial budget, HB96 (Stewart). The pay increases were among many of the local government provisions in the budget. Added by the Ohio House and retained by the Senate and the conference committee as part of its final version, HB96 increases and extends pay raises for justices and judges, county and township officials, and board of elections officials from 1.75 percent per year under current law to 5 percent per year through 2029. Additionally, the language provides annual cost of living adjustments beginning in 2030 equal to the increase in the Consumer Price Index, with a 3 percent maximum.

In other local government provisions, lawmakers also require legislative authorities of a political subdivision to adopt a cybersecurity program that safeguards the political subdivision's data, information technology, and information technology resources "to ensure availability, confidentiality, and integrity." The program must be consistent with generally accepted best practices for cybersecurity. Under the language added by the Senate and kept in the final version of the budget, local governments are also prohibited from paying a ransom stemming from a ransomware attack or otherwise complying with a ransom demand unless the political subdivision's legislative authority formally approves the payment or compliance with the ransom demand.

Legislation that would create a unit within the secretary of state's office to investigate voter fraud and voter suppression finally moved forward after it was inserted into biennial budget bill HB96 by senators and kept in by the conference committee on the bill. Introduced this session as SB4 (Gavarone) and passed out of the Senate mainly along party lines, the Election Integrity Unit would be required to investigate alleged violations of election law upon receiving complaints from the public or on its own initiative. The conference committee also expanded the duties to give the unit jurisdiction over violations of campaign finance law and require the unit to investigate campaign finance complaints filed with the secretary of state. Under the budget language, the unit would be allowed to "administer oaths, issue subpoenas, summon witnesses, compel the production of evidence, and hold hearings."

CHILDREN/FAMILIES

Following the passage of a state operating budget that included some, but not all, of the early childhood provisions advocated for by groups like Groundwork Ohio, some local governments in Ohio are learning to tackle their child care needs in novel ways. Even as groups celebrate the inclusion of provisions like $200 million in federal funds for Ohio's Child Care Choice Voucher program and $10 million for the Child Care Cred pilot program, the budget failed to expand income-based eligibility for publicly funded child care or appropriate up to $200 million in federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds for child care. Findlay Mayor Christina Muryn told a Groundwork Ohio webinar on Wednesday that such budget uncertainty at the state and federal levels can change seemingly daily. Meanwhile, it can take a local government years to tackle an issue like child care. Muryn said Findlay currently has to figure out ways to push against the current federal move to put more onto states without allocating corresponding funds.

Ohio families will have more time and more uses for money in their state-created after-school activity accounts following federal litigation on the Trump administration's attempt to freeze COVID relief funding. In March, the Trump administration froze spending on programs using federal COVID relief funding, which is what supported the Afterschool Child Enrichment (ACE) accounts created by lawmakers to give families money for the likes of tutoring, museum admissions and other learning supplements amid pandemic-era disruptions to K-12 education. The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (DEW) got federal approval to continue use of the money, but only for direct academic services. At the time of the freeze, about $77 million remained in accounts, and more than 45,000 Ohio families had at least $25 in their children's accounts. Authority to spend the money originally was to have expired last year, but the state requested and received an extension to use it through this summer. Recent litigation, State of New York et al. v. U.S. Department of Education et al. in the Southern District of New York, frees up use of the money.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel joined Amazon Web Services (AWS) and local officials Thursday to celebrate the company's investment in New Albany as it continues to build out its data center campus in the area. AWS Vice President Roger Wehner told attendees that since Amazon announced its New Albany campus a decade ago, it has invested $6.2 billion in its data center operations in Licking County. Across the state, he said AWS has invested $20 billion in construction of its facilities. He also touted about $1.4 billion in gross domestic product impact, $3.1 million in taxes paid, with about 1,500 jobs on the campus including those in construction. The company said construction and staffing for two of its buildings at the New Albany campus have been completed, and construction is underway on the remaining facilities, which are expected to be operational by the end of the year. Wehner said the decision to invest in Ohio and other areas beyond its traditional coastal operations was a "big leap for us" at the time. He praised local and state officials for providing a "super clear vision" of what they wanted from the company.

ECONOMY

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported Friday the nation added 73,000 jobs in July while the unemployment rate changed little at 4.2 percent. Employment rose in health care and social assistance, as federal government employment continued to decline. President Donald Trump announced on Friday he is firing the federal commissioner of labor statistics, Erika McEntarfer, claiming she "faked the job numbers before the election" and criticizing the downward revisions of past months' figures in the Friday report. The number of unemployed people was also little changed in July at 7.2 million, and BLS said the unemployment rate has been between 4.0 and 4.2 percent since May 2024.

EDUCATION

School districts and families who won a trial court ruling finding EdChoice violates the Ohio Constitution are hoping to revive part of their case in a cross-appeal of the state's bid to defend the voucher program. In late June, Franklin County Common Pleas Judge Jaiza Page ruled that EdChoice violates provisions of the Ohio Constitution requiring lawmakers to provide a "common" school system and prohibiting the state from giving control of education funding to religious sects. Page immediately stayed her own ruling, acknowledging the certainty of an appeal and the potential effect on families who'd already made decisions on where to send children in the fall. Attorney General Dave Yost and House Speaker Matt Huffman (R-Lima) promised a strong defense of the program, and Huffman argued Article I, Section 7 of the Ohio Constitution in fact compels the state to support religious education. Last week, the state filed in the 10th District Court of Appeals, challenging both Page's June 24 ruling and her December 2022 decision on the state's motion to dismiss the case. This week, the plaintiffs filed a cross appeal of Page's ruling against them on the equal protection count.

The Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) and its six District Athletic Boards have awarded $200,000 to 200 recent high school graduates as part of the Scholar-Athlete Scholarship Program, OHSAA announced Wednesday. In addition, OHSAA has awarded just over $1 million -- $1,250 for each member high school -- to assist with items needed by each school's athletic department, OHSAA said. The money comes from OHSAA's Athletic Enrichment Fund, which was established in 2023 for the purpose of providing a financial contribution to each member high school's athletic department to help with costs of equipment, uniforms, game transportation, officials and improving student sportsmanship and adult fan behavior.

ELECTIONS

Secretary of State Frank LaRose Wednesday released a revised, accessible version of the Ohio Election Official Manual, a statewide resource issued by the office annually with detailed guidance on the administration of Ohio elections. The updated manual is designed to be more user-friendly both for election officials and the general public, the secretary of state's office said. Improvements include simplified language, clearer explanations of complex processes and procedures, the use of checklists and charts to explain concepts, and expanded resources to help Ohio's 88 county boards of elections perform their duties. The updated manual can be found HERE.

ETHICS

A new Ohio Ethics Commission advisory opinion would allow public officials or employees to use frequent flyer miles that were earned during official travel for personal travel. The commission adopted the opinion Monday, partially reversing a previous restriction on the use of frequent flyer miles accrued during official travel. Under the opinion, public officials and employees may use the miles for personal travel if they have earned the miles under the same conditions as the public and at no additional cost to their public agencies. "The commission recognizes that removing restrictions on personal use of frequent flyer miles would increase administrative efficiency by removing the need to track rewards miles accrued on an individual traveler's account," the opinion states, adding that the commission believes it is time to reevaluate its previous opinion to better align it with the federal government and other jurisdictions' guidance on the matter. The federal government has permitted federal employees to retain any "promotional items" such as frequent flyer miles since 2002.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY/STATEHOUSE

Sen. Bill Reineke's (R-Tiffin) pronouncement this week of a bid for the Senate presidency brought into public view an often behind-the-scenes campaign. His rival for the job, Sen. Jerry Cirino (R-Kirtland), was taken aback by that. Both Reineke and Cirino serve in prominent caucus roles now -- the former as president pro tempore, the latter as Senate Finance Committee chair -- and will be heading into the back half of a second term next session, meaning neither could be president more than two years. Reineke used the occasion of Thursday's campaign filing deadline to announce his leadership bid. Cirino told Hannah News he was perplexed by Reineke's public announcement Thursday given that the ultimate decision is an internal one.

Rep. Sedrick Denson (D-Cincinnati) resigned from the Ohio House effective Friday, Aug. 8, the House Democratic Caucus announced. He was currently serving in his final term in the House. His 26th House District covers portions of Hamilton County. House Democrats said they will soon announce a screening panel for filling the vacancy. The recommended appointee will then need to be voted on by the full House of Representatives.

The Ohio Statehouse will be closed to the public from Sunday, Aug. 10 through Wednesday, Aug. 13, according to the Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board (CSRAB). The closure will come as CSRAB performs scheduled electrical and HVAC maintenance, which it said "will ensure the safety and comfort of the building's occupants and require the shutdown of the entire Capitol Square complex." Public access to the building will resume on Thursday, Aug. 14, to allow time for the air conditioning systems to properly cool down the building. The building will be accessible to staff and stakeholders only on Wednesday, Aug. 13.

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

A recent report by personal finance site WalletHub found Ohio ranked 25th nationally among the best states for health care, with a fourth-place finish among neighboring states. Pennsylvania led them at 13th nationally, followed by Michigan, 21st; Indiana, 22nd; Kentucky, 43rd; and West Virginia, 46th.

The top five states were New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Minnesota, Iowa and Massachusetts. The five lowest were Texas, Georgia, Alabama, Alaska and Mississippi. WalletHub ranked the District of Columbia at 36th nationally as well. WalletHub also ranked states by three subcategories, with Ohio seventh nationally and second among neighbors in cost; 34th nationally and second-to-last among neighbors in access; and 39th nationally and fourth among neighbors in outcomes. Pennsylvania led neighbors for cost and outcomes while Kentucky led for access.

INTEL

President Donald Trump added to microchip manufacturer Intel's woes on Thursday by demanding the immediate resignation of its CEO, but Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel said the administration believes in Intel and its promises to manufacture chips in Central Ohio. Trump took to social media on Thursday saying Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan is "highly conflicted" in the wake of reports that Tan has invested hundreds of millions in Chinese firms. "The CEO of INTEL is highly CONFLICTED and must resign, immediately," Trump posted on his Truth Social website. "There is no other solution to this problem. Thank you for your attention to this problem!" Trump's post came after he threatened to impose 100 percent tariffs on all foreign-made computer chips earlier in the week.

LIBRARIES

The Ohio Library Council (OLC) announced Thursday that Bob Hinkle, chief deputy auditor for Ohio Auditor of State Keith Faber, has been selected as its 2025 Citizen of the Year. The award honors an individual who has made a significant statewide contribution to the advancement of Ohio's public libraries. With more than 40 years of service in state government, Hinkle has been a long-standing advocate and partner for Ohio's public libraries, OLC explains. Among Hinkle's many contributions is his leadership in the development and implementation of the Hinkle System, an innovative electronic financial statement platform designed to streamline and modernize local government auditing processes. This transformation has allowed libraries and other local entities to comply more efficiently with reporting requirements in a digital age, OLC said.

PUBLIC SAFETY

The Ohio Department of Public Safety's (ODPS) Ohio Traffic Safety Office announced its third round of driver training grants Tuesday to Educational Service Centers (ESCs). The "Drive to Succeed" initiative seeks to expand low-income access to teen driver training through regionally based scholarships for the young. Roughly $6 million in competitive grants will be awarded over the next two years to enroll teens at an approved driver school providing 24 hours of classroom and eight hours of behind-the-wheel training. Agencies wishing to receive a grant must submit their proposals before 12 noon, Friday, Sept. 12. Awards will be announced in October. Guidelines can be found HERE.

STATE GOVERNMENT

As expected, the Ohio Department of Commerce's (DOC) unclaimed funds booth at the Ohio State Fair saw increased activity in 2025 compared to 2024. During the 2025 Ohio State Fair, approximately 1,200 visitors initiated claims totaling nearly $634,000, according to a news release from the DOC Division of Unclaimed Funds. In 2024, nearly 1,000 visitors initiated claims totaling nearly $333,000. DOC Unclaimed Funds Outreach Supervisor Susie Wagner recently told Hannah News that her agency has seen an 80 percent in claims on its website as lawmakers included a provision in the budget providing millions of dollars in unclaimed funds for a new Cleveland Browns stadium and other sports/cultural facilities.

The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) gave Ohio's Infrastructure an upgrade over its last report, putting it in line with the national average while still giving the state an overall "C." The group recently released its latest rankings, with the state's "C" a slight improvement over its "C-" in 2021. The report evaluated 17 categories of infrastructure, from roads and bridges to drinking water and rail systems. While some areas are showing signs of progress, others still need serious attention, ASCE said. "Infrastructure impacts every Ohioan, every day," said Charles Sawyer, chair of the 2025 Report Card for Ohio's Infrastructure. "This report card is a call to action to ensure our systems are safe, resilient, and ready for the future."

TRANSPORTATION/INFRASTRUCTURE

According to Pew Charitable Trusts, states have dug a significant and growing hole in their ability to maintain and repair critical transportation infrastructure, highlighting the need for consistent data, improved funding and management of state roadway assets. The good news for Ohio is that, according to Pew, it is one of just 11 states that does not appear to face this gap as much as other states. Pew analyzed information from all 50 states' most recent Transportation Management Plans (TMP), which are federally mandated reporting requirements that states produce to outline how they assess and manage their transportation infrastructure. The reports were largely released in 2022 and are a requirement for states receiving federal National Highway System (NHS) funding.

As part of its ongoing effort to promote economic growth and improve communities, the Ohio Department of Development recently released more than $6.3 million through the Roadwork Development Grant (629) program to six communities. According to the department, this program provides funding to local jurisdictions with an economic development project by assisting with eligible public roadwork improvements. The program also helps employers create or preserve employment opportunities.

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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