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OML UPDATE AT-A-GLANCE
Here are the top three thing you need to know from this past week:
- Rep. Louis Blessing (R - Cincinnati) has been selected to fill the 8th Senate District seat left vacant by Sen. Terhar. The 8th Senate District is comprised of the western portion of Hamilton County.
- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has awarded Ohio local governments approximately $44 million in grants to help residential areas identify and eliminate lead paint. The municipal recipients of the grant money were Akron, Canton, Cleveland and Columbus.
- The Ohio Office of Budget and Management has begun the process of developing the next capital budget, which is expected to be introduced early next year and passed by April 1. Local governments will have the opportunity to submit local capital improvement projects through their state legislators as potential recipients of the bill's capital appropriations. We will alert our members when that opportunity is announced.
LEAGUE TESTIFIES ON BILLS AFFECTING MUNICIPALITIES
This week, the League testified on three bills that would have an impact on Ohio's cities and villages.
One of the bills, HB 219, is sponsored by Rep. Becker (R - Union Township) and Rep. Hoops (R - Napoleon) and would alter the law relative to Sunday sales of beer and intoxicating liquor and name the act the "Sunday Alcohol, Liquor and Especially Spirits Act" or "SALES Act". (Link: https://bit.ly/2WJcn9K ). Opponents, including the League, testified against the bill during its third hearing before the House Commerce and Labor Committee. The League's testimony explained that its opposition was due to the bill's elimination of local option sections on the matter of alcohol sales on Sunday, preempting local control and eliminating the local community's ability to voice their opinion. You can read the League's testimony in full HERE.
The League submitted written testimony to the Senate General Government and Agency Review Committee in support of HB 10, which is sponsored by Rep. Brown (D - Canal Winchester) and Rep. Stoltzfus (R - Minerva) and would establish the Governor's Office of Drug Policy and make an appropriation. (Link: https://bit.ly/2YzTtP7). The League's testimony stated that the office, if established, would help ensure that the resources deployed by both local first responders and state agencies are being used efficiently and effectively. You can read the League's testimony in full HERE.
Finally, the League wrote in support for HB 202 during its fourth hearing before the House Transportation and Public Safety Committee. The bill is sponsored by Rep. Smith (D - Euclid) and Rep. Weinstein (D - Hudson) and would establish the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Committee. (Link: https://bit.ly/2ZtnX5T). The League's testimony explained that establishing the committee would help ensure Ohio stays competitive in "attracting and maintaining a strong workforce and a growing economy". You can read our testimony in full HERE.
The League will continue to alert our members when these bills receive further hearings.
NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES 2019 CITY SUMMIT REGISTRATION OPEN
From November 20th - 23rd, the National League of Cities (NLC) will host its annual City Summit in San Antonio, TX. We urge all local officials, both elected and staff, to register and join over 3,500 other cities officials for workshops, networking and exclusive presentations from special guests.
Attendees will have access to over 100 educational workshops, training seminars and networking opportunities, plus more than ten mobile workshops that give those attending the opportunity to explore San Antonio and learn about the various successful initiatives developed by the city.
Oscar and Grammy Award-winning hip-hop artist and author Common will be presenting as one of the keynote speakers. Peter Kageyama, author of "For the Love of Cities: The Love Affair Between People and Their Places" and "Love Where You Live: Creating Emotionally Engaging Places", will be featured as a keynote speaker as well.
As an additional incentive, The Ohio Municipal League will be hosting a reception on the evening of Friday, Nov, 22nd at the Grand Hyatt hotel where the conference is being held, and we'd like as many of Ohio's local leaders as possible to attend and take advantage of the opportunity to network with other city officials from Ohio and across the country.
To register for the NLC 2019 City Summit, click HERE. We look forward to seeing you there!
BILLS IMPACTING MUNICIPALITIES PASSED BY HOUSE
Here is a bill that affects municipalities that was passed by the House this week:
- SB 52 - CYBER SECURITY. Sponsored by Sen. Gavarone (R - Bowling Green), would create the civilian cyber security reserve forces, make the Secretary of State a member of the Homeland Security Advisory Council, require the Secretary of State to appoint a chief information security officer, require the boards of elections to audit election results, and make an appropriation. The bill was amended on the House floor to require the Secretary of State to reimburse county boards for post-election costs resulting from the bill and was then passed unanimously It now heads back to the Senate for concurrence before it is sent to the Governor's desk for his signature. The League is supportive of this legislation.(Link: https://bit.ly/2GS59FJ)
COMMITTEE UPDATE: BILLS OF MUNICIPAL INTEREST
Here are the bills impacting municipalities that received committee hearings this week:
- HB 288 - EMINENT DOMAIN. Sponsored by Rep. Manning (R - New Middletown), would amend the law regarding eminent domain and declare an emergency. During its fourth hearing before the House Civil Justice Committee, the committee discussed but did not introduce or pass a potential amendment that would allow a park district to use eminent domain with the approval of the local government. The League is opposed to this legislation.(Link: https://bit.ly/2ofhqia)
- HB 295 - ELECTRIC SCOOTERS. Sponsored by Rep. Hoops (R - Napoleon), would establish requirements governing low-speed electric scooters. During its second hearing before the House Transportation and Public Safety Committee, a representative from Bird, the electric scooter company, testified in support of the bill, saying it was a compromise between many interested parties. The League is neutral on this legislation.(Link: https://bit.ly/30I0H4t)
- HB 17 - HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION. Sponsored by Rep. Ginter (R - Salem), would allow an enhanced homestead exemption for surviving spouses of public safety personnel killed in the line of duty. During its second hearing before the House Ways and Means Committee, the Ohio Fire Chiefs Association and the Ohio Association of Professional Firefighters testified in support of the bill. The League is neutral on this legislation.(Link: https://bit.ly/30MWA6Z)
- SJR 1 - WATER BONDS. Sponsored by Sen. Gavarone (R - Bowling Green) and Sen. O'Brien (D - Bazetta), would propose to enact Section 2t of Article VIII of the Constitution of the State of Ohio to permit the issuance of general obligation bonds to fund clean water improvements. During its first hearing before the Senate Finance Committee, the sponsors said the joint resolution was the only piece of legislation introduced thus far that ensures long-term funding for water-quality projects throughout Ohio. The joint resolution calls for $1 billion in bonds over 10 years for water quality improvement projects. The League is supportive of this legislation.(Link: https://bit.ly/2Jsuytw)
- SB 180 - DEVELOPMENT BONDS. Sponsored by Sen. Schaffer (R - Lancaster), would authorize the issuance of industrial development bonds by a township and to authorize counties, townships and municipal corporations to issue industrial development bonds without requiring the county, township or municipal corporation to designate a community improvement corporation as its agency for industrial, commercial, distribution and research development. During its first hearing before the Senate Finance Committee, the bill's sponsor explained that allows townships, like cites ad counites, to issue bonds for economic development projects. The League is neutral on this legislation.(Link: https://bit.ly/30Gyj2r)
COMMITTEE SCHEDULE FOR THE WEEK OF OCTOBER 8, 2019
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Tuesday, October 8, 2019
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HOUSE INSURANCE
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Tue., Oct. 8, 2019, 10:00 AM, Hearing Room 113
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Rep. Brinkman: 614-644-6886
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PTSD COVERAGE - FIRST RESPONDERS (PATTON T) Concerning workers' compensation and disability retirement for peace officers, firefighters, and emergency medical workers diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder arising from employment without an accompanying physical injury.
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First Hearing, Sponsor Testimony
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FIREFIGHTER CANCER CLAIMS (PATTON T) Regarding charging workers' compensation experience in firefighter cancer claims.
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First Hearing, Sponsor Testimony
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Wednesday, October 9, 2019
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SENATE GENERAL GOVERNMENT AND AGENCY REVIEW
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Wed., Oct. 9, 2019, 3:15 PM, North Hearing Room
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Sen. Schuring: 614-466-0626
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OFFICE OF DRUG POLICY (BROWN R, STOLTZFUS R) To establish the Governor's Office of Drug Policy and to make an appropriation.
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Third Hearing, All Testimony
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CHECK OUR WEBSITE MONDAY FOR ANY CHANGES TO THE COMMITTEE SCHEDULE
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