May 10, 2019

• The newest version of Sub. HB 166, the State Operating Budget, eliminates state income tax on income below $22,250 and reduces every other tax bracket by 6.6%. The League is disappointed that the legislature has chosen to potentially increase local tax burdens across the state by making these state tax changes rather than investing in Ohio's municipalities

• The Senate officially swore in former Representative, now Sen. Tim Schaffer (R - Lancaster), as the senator for the 20^th Senate District. The seat was previously vacated by former Sen. Brian Hill (R - Zanesville).

• The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) has announced the approval of over $297,000 in funding for 52 projects. The funding will come from the Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) grant program and will help support volunteer fire departments in rural areas in Eastern and Southern Ohio.

• Hotel Intermediaries: Sales and Lodging Taxes. Requires hotel intermediaries to collect and remit local lodging taxes.

• Vexatious Litigators. Requires a vexatious litigator to obtain court permission before requesting public records.
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• Motion Picture Tax Credit Repeal. Repeals the refundable tax credit for motion picture production expenditures, meaning no new credits would be authorized after FY 2019, but credits certified before FY 2020 could continue to be claimed. The removal of this tax credit will have a negative impact on economic development opportunities for Ohio municipalities.

• Property Tax Replacement Phase-Out. Phases out the Property Tax Replacement for local governments.

• August Special Elections. Prohibits local tax levies from appearing on August special election ballots. This was previously introduced as HB 187 by Rep. Merrin (R - Monclova Township).

• Property Tax Complaints. Requires local government to pass individual resolutions for each property tax contest. This was previously introduced as HB 75 by Rep. Merrin (R - Monclova Township).

• Residential Property Tax Abatement. Exempts unimproved land subdivided for residential development from increased property taxes for up to 5 years. This was previously introduced as HB 149 by Rep. Merrin (R - Monclova Township).

• SB 37 - MOTION PICTURE TAX CREDIT. Sponsored by Sen. Schuring (R - Canton), would extend eligibility for and make other changes to the motion picture tax credit. The bill was voted out of the Senate unanimously. The League is supportive of this legislation. You can find the bill text and other important documents here: https://bit.ly/2E1Wwb2

• SB 52 - CYBER SECURITY. Sponsored by Sen. Gavarone (R - Bowling Green), would create the civilian cyber security reserve forces, to make the Secretary of State a member of the Homeland Security Advisory Council, to require the Secretary of State to appoint a chief information security officer, to require the boards of elections to audit election results, and to make an appropriation. During its second hearing before the House Transportation and Public Safety Committee, proponents Secretary of State Frank LaRose and Adjutant General John Harris testified, saying the bill would help cover current gaps in Ohio's cybersecurity. The League is supportive of this legislation. You can find the bill text and other important documents here: https://bit.ly/2GS59FJ

• SB 8 - OPPORTUNITY ZONES. Sponsored by Sen. Schuring (R - Canton), would authorize tax credits for investments in an Ohio Opportunity Zone. During its second hearing before the House Economic and Workforce Development Committee, proponents testified in support of the bill, including the League. You can read our testimony HERE. The bill has since been amended in the Sub. HB 166, the State Operating Budget Bill. You can find the bill text and other important documents here: https://bit.ly/2GNI6fa

• HB 178 - CONCEALED WEAPONS Sponsored by Rep. Hood (R - Ashville) and Rep. Brinkman (R - Cincinnati), would modify the Weapons Law by renaming a concealed handgun license as a concealed weapons license, allowing a concealed weapons licensee to carry concealed all deadly weapons not otherwise prohibited by law, repealing a notice requirement applicable to licensees stopped for a law enforcement purpose, authorizing expungement of convictions of a violation of that requirement, and allowing a person age 21 or older and not prohibited by federal law from firearm possession to carry a concealed deadly weapon without needing a license subject to the same carrying laws as a licensee. During its third hearing before the House Federalism Committee, the bill was amended to expand the local preemption on concealed handguns to include "deadly weapons", rather than just firearms. The League is opposed to this legislation. You can find the bill text and other important documents here: https://bit.ly/2DNudwX

• SB 10 - THEFT IN OFFICE. Sponsored by Sen. Wilson (R - Maineville), would expand the penalties for theft in office based on the amount stolen and to include as restitution audit costs of the entity that suffered the loss. During its third hearing before the House Civil Justice Committee, the bill was reported unanimously out of committee. The League is supportive of this legislation. You can find the bill text and other important documents here: https://bit.ly/2V194W5

• HB 119 - TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS. Sponsored by Rep. Stoltzfus (R - Minerva), would grant municipal and county courts original and exclusive jurisdiction over any civil action concerning a traffic law violation, modify certain requirements governing the use of traffic law photo-monitoring devices by a local authority, and make corrective changes to the distracted driving and texting-while-driving law. During its second hearing before the House Civil Justice Committee, proponents testified in support of the bill. The League is neutral on this legislation. You can find the bill text and other important documents here: https://bit.ly/2vD7Shk

COMMITTEE SCHEDULE FOR THE WEEK OF MAY 12, 2019

PLEASE CHECK OUR WEBSITE ON MONDAY FOR ANY CHANGES TO THE COMMITTEE SCHEDULE