OML UPDATE AT-A-GLANCE
Here are the top three things that you need to know from this past week:
- On Tuesday, the Senate met for a voting session and passed HB 250, which regulates the use of electric bicycles. The bill does not address electric scooters, which have recently been a discussion point for many municipalities. This bill could be a precursor to legislative action regarding electric scooters in the future.
- The Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services has announced that they will be receiving $55.8 million in federal grant dollars to help Ohio combat the ongoing opioid crisis. The dollars can be used to fund naloxone distribution and increase access to programs like recovery housing and medication-assisted treatment.
- The Ohio Supreme Court has ruled in favor of the Lucas County Board of Elections for excluding a proposed charter amendment from the Toledo ballot. The charter amendment would have established a legal "bill of rights" on behalf of Lake Erie. Those that support the amendment said would have held polluters more accountable. The court ruled that the proposal surpassed Toledo's authority.
OML RESPONDS TO EXECUTIVE ORDER ON NATIONAL INSTANT BACKGROUND CHECK SYSTEM (NICS) REPORTING
On Monday, Governor Kasich signed an executive order (available
HERE
) requiring Ohio law enforcement to upload certain protection orders and warrants into a database for the National Instant Background Check System (NICS) to prevent people from illegally buying firearms. Municipalities who do not comply with the reporting requirements could face financial penalties, sanctions, and a loss of access to the database. The executive order came on the heels of a report from the 2018 NICS Working Group that compiled survey data on current compliance rates across the state and made recommendations for how to improve compliance. You can read that report
HERE.
The League drafted a letter to Governor Kasich in response to the executive order. The letter cites the attached report detailing the issues law enforcement agencies face regarding uploading documents and accessing the database. You can read the letter to Governor Kasich that includes the League's proposals
HERE.
FCC CONSIDERS MORE PREEMPTIONS ON SMALL CELL WIRELESS INFRASTRUCTURE
On Wednesday, the FCC ruled on a document that outlines preemptions on municipalities across the nation regarding the deployment of small cell wireless infrastructure. You can access the document
HERE
and the FCC press release on the issue can be found
HERE
.
This document, called the Declaratory Ruling and Third Report and Order, outlines the loss of local control municipalities will face regarding small cell deployment in the municipal right-of-way, including issues like undergrounding, negotiations for public benefits, and the ability to fully control the appearance of city streets by limiting local aesthetic requirements. There is concern that municipalities could suffer revenue losses as a result of some of the proposed changes. We outlined some of the document's provisions in a previous Call-to-Action bulletin, which you can read
HERE
.
Our NLC colleagues were impressed by the initiative so many Ohio cities took to express their opposition to the proposal. Thank you for taking the time to submit letters in opposition. We will alert our members about future opportunities to express concerns to the FCC about this issue as it moves forward.
NOL TRAINING WORKSHOP CANCELLED
We want to share with our members that the workshop regarding the implementation of the NOL carryforward language in HB 5 has been cancelled. Because many significant issues have not been resolved, the training would not be effective at this time. The Legislature is expected to continue to work on the treatment of the carry forward when they return this fall. We anticipate that the training opportunity will be rescheduled in the beginning of the new year.
We will let our members know as soon as a new workshop has been scheduled. OML issued refunds this week to those who have paid. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office.
OML PREPARES FOR ANNUAL CONFERENCE
The League's 2018 Annual Conference will be here before we know it! The conference will be taking place in downtown Columbus at the Renaissance Hotel from Wednesday, Oct. 31
st
through Friday, Nov. 2
nd
. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from dynamic speakers, attend meaningful workshops and network with other municipal leaders from across the state. It is an incredible opportunity you don't want to miss!
Information about the Annual Conference, including the agenda, was sent out last month. Additionally, registration for the 2018 Annual Conference in now open - just click
HERE.
The Municipal Finance Officers Association of Ohio will be holding their Annual Conference concurrently with the League from Wednesday, October 31
st
through Thursday, November 1
st
. Attendees will participate in general sessions, round table discussions and workshops and will have access to the exhibitor's hall hosted by the League's Annual Conference. To register, click
HERE
Vendor Information can be found
HERE
