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July 27, 2018

OML UPDATE AT-A-GLANCE

Here are the top three things you need to know from this past week:
  • The Bureau of Workers' Compensation has recommended a rate reduction of approximately 12% for public employees. Under this proposal, municipalities and other local governments would save $21 million next year.
  • Ohio's medical marijuana patient registry has been delayed from its original projected launch date of September 8th. The Ohio Board of Pharmacy says the registry will be put on hold until they have a better idea of when medical marijuana will be made widely available.
  • The House seated a new member this week. J. Todd Smith replaced Jeff Rezabek as the representative for the 43rd district which includes Preble and portions of Montgomery counties. Earlier this month, Mr. Rezabek was appointed by Governor Kasich to serve as a juvenile court judge in Montgomery County. Rep. Smith is a pastor from Germantown.
 
 
PAYDAY LENDING BILL HEADING TO GOVERNOR'S DESK

This week, the House of Representatives held a rare summer session to concur on the changes the Senate made to HB 123, the payday lending reform bill. The amendments were concurred upon by the House 61-24. The changes the Senate made are intended to help keep payday lenders in business while protecting consumers. Among the provisions of the bill are sections that allows consumers three days to rescind a loan with no interest or fees and sections limit monthly payments to 6% of the consumer's gross monthly income. After a long and much-publicized journey through the legislative process, the bill now heads to Governor John Kasich's desk for his signature.
 
FLOOR ACTION: BILLS OF MUNICIPAL INTEREST

The following bill impacting municipalities was voted on by the House of Representatives this week.
  • HB 34 - PUBLIC NOTICES. This bill, sponsored by Rep. Hambley (R - Brunswick) and Rep. Ryan (R - Newark), will authorize certain state agencies, local governments, and other boards, commissions, and officers to deliver certain notices by ordinary mail and electronically instead of by certified mail, to modify the requirements for public records training for elected officials, and to allow a county prosecuting attorney to enter into a contract with a regional airport authority, port authority, or regional planning commission to be its legal adviser. It now heads to the Governor's desk for his signature. The League is supportive of this legislation.
 
NEW LEGISLATION OF MUNICIPAL INTEREST INTRODUCED

Here is the new legislation introduced this week of interest to municipalities.
  • HB 715 - WATER-SEWER FUND USAGE. This bill, sponsored by Rep. Schuring (R - Canton) and Rep. West (D - Canton), would authorize a municipal corporation to use up to 5% of its water and sewer funds for sewerage or water system extensions in each fiscal year when the extension is for economic development purposes.
 
REGISTER NOW FOR OML'S FINAL REMAINING
SUMMER REGIONAL CONFERENCE
 
Next month, the League will hold its fourth and final 2018 Summer Regional Conference in Findlay. We want to thank all of the municipal officials who have joined us for our three previous regional conferences that were held in Athens, Mason, and Canton, Ohio. The response from League members to our efforts to take a portion of our annual conference to the four corners of the state through the regional conference approach has been very gratifying and we appreciate the continued support.
 
The goal of these Regional Conferences is to provide an opportunity for League members prevented from attending our three-day Annual Conference held in downtown Columbus, either because of distance constraints or other issues, to have access to the timely information our members receive at our Annual Conference and to experience some of the opportunities that the conference provides. We have put together a single day program of general session topics with presentations by featured speakers who are experts in their municipal sectors.
 
The 2018 Summer Regional Conferences are an invaluable opportunity for municipal officials statewide to have the ability to be presented with critical information directly related to the success of their own communities, as well as connect and network with other local leaders in their area. This opportunity is not limited to League members but is a great opportunity for all municipal and local government officials to refresh their skill sets and get the most recent information on critical topics.
 
The final conference in the 2018 regional series will be held August 17th at the Hancock Hotel in Findlay.
 
Registration information including the conference agenda, can be accessed HERE .
 
We encourage you to sign up for this remaining conference as soon as possible, as space will be limited. We look forward to seeing you and your entire administrative staff there!


THERE IS NO COMMITTEE SCHEDULE FOR THE WEEK OF JULY 29TH.

Upcoming Meetings & Events

Regional Summer Conference Series
August 17, 2018

Ohio Municipal League

Legislative Inquires:
Kent Scarrett, Executive Director
Edward Albright, Deputy Director
Ashley Brewster, Director of Communications
Rachel Massoud, Legislative Advocate

Website/Bulletin Issues:
Zoƫ Wade, Office Manager