OML UPDATE AT-A-GLANCE
Here are the top three things you need to know from this past week:
· On Wednesday, the Ohio Senate amended HB 404 to extend the ability of local governments to conduct meetings virtually rather than in person until July 1, 2021. The House then concurred on the Senate changes on Thursday. You can read more in the article below.
· Today is the date for local governments that received distributions of Coronavirus Relief Funds (CRF) from the CARES Act to return unencumbered funds to the counties for redistribution. The Ohio Office of Budget and Management (OBM) has released a process map and timeline to assist municipalities with the redistribution process, which you can access HERE. Additionally, the House concurred yesterday on HB 404, which contains language regarding when a local government does not qualify for a redistribution, which you can read more about in the article below. OBM has released the updated CRF guidance with FAQs on the redistribution process, which you can access HERE. Questions can be directed to the Ohio Grants Partnership at grants@obm.ohio.gov.
· On Thursday, the Ohio General Assembly passed SB 311, which would restrict emergency orders from the Department of Health (ODH). The bill prohibits ODH from issuing general, mandatory statewide or regional quarantine orders that are enforced against individuals who have not been directly exposed to or diagnosed with the disease that is the subject of the order. Additionally, the bill would allow the legislature to adopt a concurrent resolution rescinding certain ODH orders or rules. The bill will be set to the desk of Governor for his signature; however, the Governor has stated that he will veto the bill.
· Ohio House Republicans voted unanimously this week to retain current House Speaker Bob Cupp in the upcoming 134th General Assembly. The House GOP also voted to elect the rest of the majority leadership team. Rep. Tim Ginter ((R-Salem) will be speaker pro tempore; Rep. Bill Seitz (R-Cincinnati) will be majority floor leader; Rep. Rick Carfagna (R-Genoa Twp.) will be assistant majority floor leader; Rep. Don Jones (R-Freeport) will be majority whip; and Rep. Cindy Abrams (R-Harrison) will be as assistant majority whip. The League congratulates all who were elected to majority leadership, and we look forward to working with each of them in the upcoming General Assembly.
· On Tuesday, Governor DeWine announced that the Ohio Department of Health will be issuing a 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. statewide curfew that began on Thursday, November 19. The curfew will be in effect for 21 days. You can read more details on the curfew in the article below.
· Lame Duck Watch: The League is calling on the Ohio House to pass SB 212, which received its third committee hearing this week. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Schuring (R – Canton), would authorize townships and municipal corporations to designate areas within which new homes and improvements to existing homes are wholly or partially exempted from property taxation. Last week, the League testified in support of the bill, explaining how NDAs would be a valuable tool that cities and villages could use to incentivize the revitalization and creation of neighborhoods within their communities. You can read that testimony in full HERE and you can read more about this week’s committee hearing in the article below.
· For those who were unable to attend the League’s first-ever virtual Annual Conference last week, municipalities will be able to register to watch the recordings of the conference sessions for $50 per one-hour webinar. All those who registered for the Annual Conference already have access to these recordings. You can access the registration form and full list of recordings HERE.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT VIRUTAL MEETINGS AUTHORITY EXTENDED, CARES ACT REVENUE REDISTRIBUTION REVISED BY HB 404 AMENDMENT
This week, the Senate adopted a substitute bill for HB 404, which included an amendment to extend the authority of local governments to hold public meetings virtually, rather than in person, until July 1, 2021. Originally, that authority was set to expire on December 1, 2020. The amendment also contained an emergency clause, meaning the provision will go into effect immediately once the bill is signed. You can access the full substitute bill HERE. The changes were then concurred upon by the House on Thursday. The bill is now being sent to the desk of Governor DeWine for his signature.
HB 404, sponsored by Rep. Manchester (R – Lakeview) and Rep. Sweeney (D – Cleveland), was originally drafted to allow the board of trustees of a state institution of higher education to adopt a policy allowing the trustees to attend a board meeting via means of electronic communication.
Another amendment in the substitute bill affects municipalities by modifying the procedure for how the counties redistribute unspent CARES Act revenues after local governments return to the counties all unencumbered federal funds as of November 20. If the monies cannot be redistributed because some or none of the local government within the county qualify, the county must return the remaining funds to the state treasury.
The League is grateful to the General Assembly for addressing the important issue of extending the authority to hold virtual meetings, and we appreciate the efforts made by our members to impress upon the legislature the need for this extension.
LAME DUCK RECAP: HOUSE AND SENATE ACTIVITY
Here are the bills voted out of the full House and Senate chambers this week:
Ohio Senate:
· SB 89 – Career-Tech Education. Sponsored by Sen Huffman (R – Lima), was reported out of conference committee and the conference report was adopted by the full Senate later the same day. The bill was amended with language agreed upon by both the House and Senate that:
o extends EdChoice eligibility to schools that have a student population where 20% qualify for Title 1 funding and that are in the bottom 20% of Ohio’s school performance index for the past two years.
o reduces the number of schools where students are eligible for EdChoice vouchers from 1,227 to 473.
o Makes students from families that make 200% to 250% of the federal poverty level would be eligible for vouchers.
The House later concurred on the changes. The bill will be sent to the Governor for his signature.
· HB 151 – Chiropractic Loans. Sponsored by Rep. Carfagna, R – Genoa Twp.), was originally drafted to create the Chiropractic Loan Repayment Program. However, the bill was amended with provisions that:
o clarify the civil immunity provisions provided municipalities and other entities in HB 606 still apply under the DeWine’s administration’s new orders.
o extends that civil immunity to entities created via Medicaid waiver.
o allows emergency medical technicians, paramedics and other first responders to work inside a hospital during a coronavirus emergency.
The bill was passed with an emergency clause and the House later concurred on the changes. The bill will be sent to the Governor for his signature.
· SB 375 – County Fairs. Sponsored by Sen. Hoagland (R - Adena) and Sen. Schaffer (R – Lancaster), overrides an Ohio Department of Health order that bans the majority of county fair activities. The bill goes to the House.
· SB 317 – School Weapons. Sponsored by Sen. Coley (R - Liberty Township), allows local school officials to enact policies that allows staff to carry firearms. The bill now heads to the House.
· SB 282 – Unemployment Compensation. Sponsored by Sen. Hoagland (R - Adena), requires the Director of Job and Family Services to establish a process for employers to make complaints regarding unemployment compensation benefits. The bill now heads to the House.
· SB 369 – Crime Victims. Sponsored by Sen. Lehner (R – Kettering) and Sen. Manning (R – N. Ridgeville) revises the eligibility standards and procedure for awarding reparations to crime victims. The bill now heads to the House.
· SB 312 – Hardin Courts. Sponsored by Sen. McColley (R - Napoleon), reallocates jurisdictional responsibilities of current judges of the Hardin County Court of Common Pleas and to create the Domestic Relations Division of the Hardin County Court of Common Pleas. The bill now heads to the House.
Ohio House of Representatives:
· HB 621 – Business Openings. Sponsored by Rep. Cross (R - Kenton) and Rep. Wilkin (R - Hillsboro), allows businesses otherwise closed under a COVID-19 health order to remain open if they follow the rules businesses deemed “essential” must follow. The Governors has stated that he will veto the bill if it is sent to his desk. The bill now heads to the Senate.
· HB 208 – Assault. Sponsored by Rep. Romer (R – Richfield) and Rep. Miller (R - Amherst), makes the assault of a sports referee a felony. The bill now heads to the Senate.
· HB 199 – Roofing Contractors. Sponsored by Rep. Patton (R-Strongsville), requires that commercial roofing contractors must have a license. The bill now heads to the Senate.
· HB 541 – Valuation Adjustment, Sponsored by Rep. Perales (R - Beavercreek), allows an initiation process for county auditors for property valuation adjustments for destroyed or injured property. The bill now heads to the Senate.
· SB 21 – Benefit Corporations. Sponsored by Sen. Dolan (R – Chagrin Falls), allows a corporation to become a benefit corporation. The bill now heads to the Senate for concurrence.
· HB 255 – Tax Expenditures. Sponsored by Rep. Hoops (R-Napoleon), would require the tax commissioner's biennial expenditure report to include an examination of property tax exemptions and charge the Tax Expenditure Review Committee with reviewing those exemptions. The bill now heads to the Senate.
· HB 371 – College Tuition. Sponsored by Rep. Merrin (R-Monclova), would expand the Forever Buckeye program to grant in-state college tuition to those receiving a certificate of high school equivalence. The bill now heads to the Senate.
· HB 32 – Ohio Flag Treatment. Sponsored by Rep. Stein (R – Norwalk), creates a suggested ceremonial procedure for retiring an Ohio state flag. The bill now heads to the Senate.
· HB 367 – School Counselors. Sponsored by Rep. Manchester (R – Lakeview), requires the Department of Education to make recommendations for a job description for school counselors and to designate at least one staff member as a school counselor liaison. The bill now heads to the Senate.
· SB 318 – Suffrage Commission. Sponsored by Sen. Williams (D – Cleveland), extends the Women's Suffrage Centennial Commission until December 31, 2021 and declares an emergency. The bill now heads to the Senate for concurrence on the changes.
· HB 310 – School Bullying. Sponsored by Rep. Greenspan (R – Westlake), enacts the "Ohio Anti-Bullying and Hazing Act" with regard to school discipline and bullying and hazing policies at public schools and colleges. The bill now heads to the Senate.
· HB 352 – Employment Laws. Sponsored by Rep. Cross (R – Kenton and Rep. Lang (R – West Chester Twp.), modifies Ohio civil rights laws related to employment. The bill now heads to the Senate.
· HB 409 – Student Attendance. Sponsored by Rep. Koehler (R - Springfield), requires e-schools to draft policies regarding students that fail to participate in instruction. The bill now heads to the Senate.
· HB 444 – Township Laws. Sponsored by Rep. Baldridge (R – Winchester) and Rep. Abrams (R - Harrison), makes various changes to township law. The bill now heads to the Senate.
· HB 464 – Trust Law. Sponsored by House Speaker Cupp (R – Lima) and Rep. Rogers (D – Mentor-on-the-Lake), expands a guardian's authority to create estate plans for their wards, clarifies a surviving spouse's allowance for support upon the spouse's selection of an automobile, to make changes in the Ohio Trust Code, and makes changes in the law pertaining to the referral of actions to a retired judge. The bill now heads to the Senate.
· SB 178 – Flu Shots. Sponsored by Sen. Schuring (R - Canton), allows a podiatric doctor to administer flu shots to patients. The bill will now be sent to the Governor for his signature.
OHIO CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE UPDATE
· Ohio is reporting 326,615 total cases of the coronavirus, 5,890 deaths, 23,560 hospitalizations and 4,318 ICU admissions.
o Upgraded to Level 4: Franklin
o Upgraded to Level 3: Columbiana, Darke, Fulton, Perry, Van Wert, and Tuscarawas
o Watchlist Counties: Montgomery, Lorain, and Lake
· The Ohio Department of Health issued a 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. statewide curfew that began on Thursday, November 19. The curfew will be in effect for 21 days.
· The curfew will not apply to those going to or from work, those who have an emergency, or those who need medical care. The curfew is not intended to stop anyone from getting groceries or going to a pharmacy. Picking up carry-out or a drive-thru meal and ordering for delivery will be permitted, but serving food and drink in person must cease at 10 p.m.
Vaccine Updates:
· Gov. DeWine provided details on Ohio's vaccine prepositioning plan. The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) has identified 10 sites across the state that will receive the pre-positioned vaccine after a COVID-19 vaccine is given emergency-use authorization. Once the CDC and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices issues its recommendation on how to use the vaccine, these sites will begin administering the vaccine immediately.
· The ten pre-positioned sites were selected based on geography, population, and access to ultra-cold storage capacity. Other sites will begin receiving shipments of vaccine following final approval, potentially just days after the pre-positioned sites begin administering the vaccine.
· Ohio will first vaccinate those who are most at risk, including those who work in long-term care facilities, nursing homes, and other congregate-care facilities, high-risk health care workers, and first responders.
Business and Employment Updates:
· Ohio's Retail Compliance Unit has visited more than 50% of Ohio counties in its first three days. Agents have observed over 90% compliance in social distancing and mask-wearing in retail establishments, a noticeable improvement.
· Ohioans filed 24,964 initial and 254,613 continued jobless claims last week, according to statistics the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) reported to the U.S. Dept. of Labor today. In addition, 236,850 Ohioans received Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) last week.
· Over the last 35 weeks, ODJFS has distributed more than $7.3 billion in unemployment compensation payments to more than 841,000 Ohioans. Of the more than 1 million applications the agency has received, more than 95% have been processed, with less than 5% pending. In addition, ODJFS has issued more than $7 billion in PUA payments to more than 682,000 PUA claimants.
OHIO AUDITOR OF STATE ISSUES BULLETIN ON ACCOUNTING GUIDANCE FOR BWC DIVIDENDS
This week, the Ohio Auditor of State’s office issued a bulletin providing accounting guidance for local governments regarding the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) recently-issued dividends. We have copied the bulletin in full below:
Ohio’s workers’ compensation system is a mandatory, state‐run insurance program, which provides coverage for employees suffering job‐related injuries. In exchange for the payment of premiums by employers to the Bureau of Workers Compensation (BWC), the BWC provides payment of compensation to the injured employee while covering medical costs resulting from the job‐ related accident or disease.
As described in AOS Bulletin 2013-007, Bureau of Worker’s Compensation (BWC) Rebate, Clarified, BWC has issued rebates (also known as, dividends) as a result of what BWC attributes to strong investment returns on employer premiums, a declining number of claims each year, and prudent fiscal management.
On November 2, 2020, the BWC Board of Directors approved Governor Mike DeWine’s request to send $5 billion in dividends to Ohio employers to ease COVID-19’s continued impact on the state’s business community and workforce. This is the third dividend declared and paid in 2020, bringing total dividend dollars for employers to nearly $8 billion this year to ease the financial pressure on private and public employers during the pandemic. BWC will apply the dividend to qualified employers’ unpaid balances first, then mail a check for the remainder in mid-December.
The agency issued a $1.54 billion dividend in late April (of which $184 million went to local government taxing districts, such as counties, cities, townships, and school districts), which represented approximately one hundred percent (100%) of the premium for the 2018 policy year, and $1.34 billion in October, which represented one hundred percent (100%) of the premium for the 2019 policy year. At $5 billion, the latest dividend is based on the billed premium for the 2019 policy year, and represents approximately four times those total premiums.
For more information about BWC’s dividends and other measures to ease the financial impact of COVID-19 on private and public employers, refer to BWC’s Frequently Asked Questions at:
For an FAQ specific to the latest $5 billion dividend, refer to the following link:
The Auditor of State (AOS) has received questions from local government officials asking to which funds they should apportion the dividend. AOS Bulletin 2013-007 provides accounting guidance entities should follow for all BWC rebates and dividends.
Although BWC uses the term “dividends,” the substance of the transaction is the same as the previous “rebates” and the guidance in Bulletin 2013-007 applies. For additional details, please refer to BWC’s FAQs.
Since the substance of these transactions remains a rebate, consistent with AOS Bulletin 2013-007, we still believe local governments must return the prorated portion of the rebate attributable to local, state or federally-restricted fund to those funds. However, the amount returned to these restricted funds would be capped by the premium paid for the policy year associated with the rebate (i.e., 2019). Any amounts received in excess of the original premium payment would be unrestricted and could be receipted in the general fund.
Additionally, AOS Bulletin 2013-007 describes accounting for receivables related to dividends. AOS views the date of the BWC Board rebate approval to be the award date under Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) Statement No. 33 for evaluating receivable recognition. Depending on the timing of BWC’s rebate distribution to local governments, it is possible some local governments with December 31, 2020 fiscal year ends may need to recognize a receivable in their financial statements.
Also, local governments with fiscal year ends prior to the award date should consider whether the “excess” of the November BWC rebate is significant enough to merit disclosing as a subsequent event footnote in their financial statements.
For future updates, and additional information related to the COVID-19, please continue to monitor the Auditor of State’s COVID-19 Resources for Local Governments information at:
If you have any questions regarding the information in this Bulletin, please contact the Local Government Services staff of the State Auditor’s Office at (800) 345‐2519.
AMERICAN COUNCIL OF ENGINEERING COMPANIES OFFERING ETHICS TRAINING
The end of the year is nearing and ACEC Ohio is offering an online, on-demand ethics training course customized for Ohio ethics and law for you to complete on your own time.
In 2018, the Ohio Legislature added a new requirement for license renewal; two-hour’s worth of ethics training pertaining to the Ohio Revised Code every two years. With this new requirement, ACEC Ohio acted and developed a low-cost course to satisfy the training requirements.
The ACEC Ohio course consists of a two-part module equating to two hours of work and is available to all engineers working in Ohio for only $50. Click HERE to learn more.
COMMITTEE RECAP: BILLS OF MUNICIPAL INTEREST
Here are the bills impacting municipalities that received committee hearings this week:
· HB 13 – Broadband Expansion. Sponsored by Re. Carfagna (R – Genoa Twp.) and Rep. O’Brien (D – Warren), is regarding broadband expansion, including access to electric cooperative easements and facilities and railroad rights of way, and makes an appropriation. During its second hearing before the Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee, proponents testified in support of the bill. The League submitted joint proponent testimony with the Ohio Township Association (OTA), which you can read in full HERE.
· HB 542 – OPF Disabilities. Sponsored by Rep. Carfagna (R – Genoa Twp.) and Rep. Cera (D - Bellaire), would revise Ohio Police and Fire Pension Fund disability determination procedures. During its first hearing before House Financial Institutions Committee, the bill’s sponsored explained that the legislation would allow other licensed health professional other than just doctors conduct initial exams for disability status applications through the Ohio Police and Fire Pension (OP&F) fund as there is a shortage of doctors. A representative from OP&F testified as an interested party and stated the exams are merely the first level of review for disability applications. The League is neutral on this legislation.
· SB 277 – Pooled Collateral. Sponsored by Sen. Schuring (R – Canton), would make changes to the Ohio Pooled Collateral Program. During its first hearing before the House Financial Institutions Committee, the bill’s sponsor explained that the legislation clarifies the law to ensure public deposits are collateralized correctly by financial institutions. The League is neutral on this legislation.
· HB 425 – Concealed Weapons. Sponsored by Rep. Wiggam (R – Wooster), would modify the requirement that a concealed handgun licensee must notify a law enforcement officer that the licensee is authorized to carry a concealed handgun and is carrying a concealed handgun when stopped. During its first hearing before the Senate Government Oversight & Reform Committee, the bill’s sponsor explained that the legislation removes the requirement of a concealed handgun license holder to notify the law enforcement officer that they are carrying a concealed handgun. The League is neutral on this legislation.
· HB 159 – Public Improvements. Sponsored by Rep. Blessing (R – Cincinnati), would regulate the use of indemnity provisions in professional design contracts related to public improvements. During its fourth hearing before the House Civil Justice Committee, no testimony was given on the bill and the bill was reported out of committee. The League is an interested party in this legislation.
· HB 312 – Crowdfunding. Sponsored by Rep. Powell (R – Laura), would permit intrastate equity crowdfunding under certain circumstances. During its third hearing before the Senate Finance Committee, no testimony was given on this bill. The League is supportive of this legislation.
· HB 202 – Electric Vehicles. Sponsored by Rep. Smith (D – Euclid) and Rep. Weinstein (D - Hudson), would establish the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Study Committee. During its fifth hearing before the House Transportation and Public Safety Committee, proponents from Lordstown EV Corp. and the Sierra Club wrote in support of the bill. The League is neutral on this legislation.
· HB 218 – Public-Private Agreements. Sponsored by Rep. Patton (R – Strongsville), would authorize certain public entities to enter into public-private initiatives with a private party through a public-private agreement regarding public facilities. During its fifth hearing before the House State and Local Government Committee, the AFSCME Ohio Council wrote as opponents of the bill and the bill was reported out of committee The League is supportive of this legislation.
· HB 253 – Fireworks. Sponsored by the late Rep. Manning and Rep. O'Brien (D – Warren), would revise the Fireworks Law. During its first hearing before the Senate Transportation, Commerce and Workforce Committee, the bills sponsor explained that the legislation would bring Ohio’s laws in line with the laws of 49 other states. The League is neutral on this legislation.
· SB 321 – Public Funds. Sponsored by Sen. Wilson (R – Maineville), would make changes regarding the circumstances in which county treasurers, township fiscal officers and deputy fiscal officers, and municipal treasurers may be held liable for a loss of public funds. During its first hearing before the Senate Local Government, Public Safety and Veterans Affairs Committee, the bill’s sponsor explained that the legislation would ensure county and municipal treasurers and township fiscal officers that have performed all official duties with “reasonable care” cannot be held liable for the loss of public funds. The League is supportive of this legislation.
· HB 450 – Fiscal Officers. Sponsored by Rep. Stephens (R – Kitts Hill), would require fiscal officers of certain political subdivisions to provide certificates of transition to their successors when leaving office and to modify language regarding the duty of a treasurer of a board of education to deliver to the treasurer's successor all papers related to the affairs of the district. During its second hearing before the Senate Local Government, Public Safety and Veterans Affairs Committee, State Auditor Keith Faber submitted written testimony as a proponent of the legislation, as well as the County Treasurers Association of Ohio. The League is neutral on this legislation.
· HB 421 – Local Government Immunity. Sponsored by Rep. Smith (R – Germantown) and Rep. Blair (D - Weathersfield), would provide a municipal corporation or county immunity from civil and criminal liability in any action that arises from a hospital police officer acting directly in the discharge of the person's duties as a police officer and that occurs on the premises of the hospital or its affiliates or subsidiaries or elsewhere in the municipal corporation or county. During its first hearing before the Senate Local Government and Public Safety and Veterans Affairs Committee, the bill’s sponsors explained that the legislation would ensure a public police department with a memorandum of understanding with a private police department is not held liable for the actions of an officer employed by the private police department. Previously, the bill was amended in the House Civil Justice Committee to include portions of HB 27, which was sponsored by Rep. Ingram (D - Cincinnati) and dealt with sovereign immunity for local governments. The League is still examining the impact of these amendments.
· SB 212 – Property Taxation. Sponsored by Sen. Schuring (R – Canton), would authorize townships and municipal corporations to designate areas within which new homes and improvements to existing homes are wholly or partially exempted from property taxation. During its third hearing before the House Ways and Means Committee, the Ohio Real Estate Investor Association testified in opposition to the bill while other groups such as the County Commissioners’ Association of Ohio and the Ohio School Boards Association gave interested party testimony. The League is supportive of this legislation.
· SB 39 – Insurance Tax (Schuring (R – Canton), would authorize an insurance premiums tax credit for capital contributions to transformational mixed-use development projects. During its eighth hearing before the House Economic and Workforce Development Committee, the bill was reported out of committee. The League is supportive of this legislation.
· HB 704 – Redevelopment Areas. Sponsored by Rep. Cross (R – Kenton) and Rep. Fraizer (R – Newark), would modify the law governing Community Redevelopment Areas and the terms under which property may be exempted in such areas. During its first hearing before the House Economic and Workforce Development Committee, the bill’s sponsors explained that the legislation is intended to streamline the Community Redevelopment Area law to make it easier for communities to use. The League is still looking into this legislation.
· HB 124 – Small Livestock. Sponsored by Rep. Brinkman (R – Cincinnati), would allow an owner of residential property to keep small livestock on the property and to prohibit zoning authorities from regulating certain noncommercial agricultural activities on residential property. During its first hearing before the House Agriculture and Rural Development Committee, the bill’s sponsor submitted written testimony stating the bill would allow Ohioans to raise small livestock on their property. This bill is a preemption and the League is opposed to this legislation.
· SB 246 – Occupational Licensing. Roegner (R – Hudson) and Sen. McColley (R – Napoleon), would require an occupational licensing authority to issue a license or government certification to an applicant who holds a license, government certification, or private certification or has satisfactory work experience in another state under certain circumstances. During its seventh hearing before the Senate General Government and Agency Review Committee, a substitute bill was adopted that, in addition to other changes, allows a licensing authority the ability to deny an application for a license or government certification if the applicant was previously disciplined by another entity that regulates a license. The League is neutral on this legislation.
· HB 308 – PTSD Coverage. Sponsored by Rep. Patton (R – Strongsville), is concerning workers’ compensation and disability retirement for peace officers, firefighters, and emergency medical workers diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder arising from employment without an accompanying physical injury. During its fourth hearing before the Senate General Government and Agency Review Committee, opponents including the Ohio Chamber of Commerce and the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association testified against the legislation. The League is opposed to this bill.
· HB 374 – Massage Therapy. Sponsored by Rep. Plummer (R – Dayton) and Rep. Manchester (R – Lakeview), would make changes to the massage therapy licensing law. During its second hearing before the House Commerce and Labor Committee, proponents such as the Attorney General Dave Yost and the American Massage Therapy Association Ohio Chapter submitted testimony supporting the bill. The League is neutral on this legislation.
