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LEGISLATURE ON THANKSGIVING RECESS NEXT WEEK
There will not be a Legislative Bulletin next week, because the General Assembly will be on its Thanksgiving break. We will return to sending a bulletin the following week. Please have a happy and safe Thanksgiving!
LEGISLATIVE LEADERSHIP ANNOUNCED FOR 135TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
This week, House and Senate held informal elections for leadership positions in the 2023-2024 General Assembly session. Rep. Derek Merrin, from Monclova Township in Lucas County, was selected as the new Ohio House Speaker, while Senate President Matt Huffman, from Lima, will remain in that position. Other members of leadership are listed further below in the bulletin. OML congratulates all of these leaders and looks forward partnering with them to address the critical issues facing Ohio's municipalities.
OP&F INCREASE BILL HAS HEARING WITH OML TESTIMONY
House Bill 512, which increases the contribution amounts that employers of full-time firefighters and police officers must make to the Ohio Police and Fire Pension Fund, received a third committee hearing this week. A substitute bill was adopted that can be viewed here. The substitute bill makes adjustments to the percentage increases. There was also an amendment adopted that relates to the terms of OP&F board members. OML remains opposed to the bill due to its costs. Thanks to OML Immediate Past President Mark Schwieterman for providing testimony to the committee on OML's behalf. Watch Video. See more below.
OML TEXT ALERTS
To provide our members with greater awareness of legislation related to you, OML is now offering text message alerts for when urgent action is needed concerning legislation at the Ohio Statehouse. We are committed to using these text alerts strictly for legislative calls to action and will not text you for other purposes. Sign Up for OML Text Alerts
LOCAL GOVERNMENT FUND SURVEY
This week, the league sent our members a request asking you to complete a brief survey related to the Local Government Fund. Restoration of the LGF to previous levels remains one of our top priorities as the FY 2024-2025 State Operating Budget is developed, and your response will help us make our case to legislators and administration officials. Take the Survey
NEW WEBINARS SCHEDULED
OML and OMAA have two upcoming webinars scheduled. The first, on Dec. 7, relates to navigating the Family Medical Leave Act and American Disabilities Act in workers' compensation claims. Register. The second webinar, on Jan. 19, will be a refresher on economic development tools. Register.
HOUSE PASSES DISTRACTED DRIVING LEGISLATION
The Ohio House has passed Substitute House Bill 283, which seeks to curtail distracted driving by prohibiting the use of a phone while driving -- making it a primary offense in which officers can pull someone over. There are some exceptions included in the bill, such as using the phone at a stop light or holding the phone to the ear. The bill now must work its way through the Senate before the end of the year. Senate President Matt Huffman has said he does not support the House-passed bill and is not supportive of it being a primary offense. OML is part of the Fix Our Roads Ohio coalition in support of the legislation.
RIOT SUPPRESSION BILL AMENDED
Senate Bill 185 -- which regards a political subdivision's emergency powers when suppressing a riot, mob, or potential riot or mob and the preservation of rights regarding firearms during an emergency -- was amended in the House Government Oversight Committee this week. The amendment specifies that municipalities and townships cannot regulate firearms as a public nuisance. The amendment can be viewed here. OML opposes the bill. Here is the most current version of the bill analysis (as passed by Senate).
INDEMNITY PROVISIONS BILL RECEIVES CHANGES RELATED TO IMMUNITY
A joint House/Senate conference committee hearing was held to work out the chambers' differences on Senate Bill 56. The bill regulates the use of indemnity provisions in professional design contracts related to public improvements. A newly adopted amendment removed House language regarding political subdivision sovereign immunity. Previous language had been included in the bill that altered the definition of an emergency call and provided that any compensatory damages recoverable against a political subdivision must be reduced by a certain percentage. The amendment effectively takes this portion back to current statute but also adds a provision requiring vehicle insurers that offer uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage to include in that coverage incidents involving persons provided immunity as employees of a political subdivision. Here is the most current version of the bill analysis (as reported by House committee). We will be sure to alert our members of any changes to proposals that would change the sovereign immunity law.
SUBSTITUTE LANGUAGE INSERTED INTO GUN LEGISLATION
Senator Matt Dolan's (R-Chagrin Falls) Substitute Senate Bill 357 related to mental health and firearms received its first Senate Finance Committee meeting this week, with sponsor testimony. The substitute version removes some protection order language.
In general, Senate Bill 357 creates a new disability for determined threats of violence, establishes greater penalties for straw purchase offenses, requires information such as arrest warrants and protection orders to be added into state and federal law enforcement databases by the close of the next business day, implements a co-signer requirement for 18 to 21-year-olds to purchase firearms, and helps to fund behavioral health workforce and crisis centers. We will keep our member updates on any progress of this legislation.
WALMART PRELIMINARILY AGREES TO OPIOID SETTLEMENT
Walmart has preliminarily agreed to $3.1 billion due to its role in recklessly dispensing opioids, and Ohio would get $114 million of that. Twenty-seven more states must sign onto the agreement, and then local governments would have until March to join the deal. The league will be sure to alert out members when the opportunity to join in the agreement when more information becomes available.
BWC REOPENS SAFETY INTERVENTION GRANTS
The Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation has reopened its safety intervention grant program to assist employers in protecting their employees. The program provides 3-to-1 matching funds up to $40,000 to purchase equipment to reduce or eliminate injuries and illnesses from a particular task or operation. More Info
WATER QUALITY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY AWARDS LOW-INTEREST LOANS
The Ohio Water Quality Development Authority has awarded a total of $9.1 million in low interest loans related to water quality, wastewater, and drinking water infrastructure. Municipalities receiving funding from the Fresh Water Loan Program include Beach City, Brewster, Lima, Malvern, New Waterford, Oak Harbor, Pemberville, and Rockford. More Info
USDOT HAS FUNDING AVAILABLE FOR THRIVING COMMUNITIES PROGRAM
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Thriving Communities Program will provide two years of deep-dive assistance to selected communities to help them plan and develop a pipeline of comprehensive transportation, housing, and community revitalization activities. Interested applicants must identify community partners and submit a letter of interest by December 6. More Info
PEP TO HOST DE-ESCALATION WEBINAR
The Public Entities Pool (PEP) of Ohio will host a webinar titled, "De-Escalation Training for All Municipal Workers" from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Nov. 29. During the course, Verbal Judo Trainer Alex Bromley will be providing de-escalation techniques tailored to municipal workers (not law enforcement). Register
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