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January 24, 2020
OML UPDATE AT-A-GLANCE
Here are the top three things you need to know from this past week:
- Lt. Gov. Jon Husted has announced that InnovateOhio has issued a request for proposal (RFP) with the Ohio Department of Public Safety (ODPS) and the Ohio Department of Administrative Services (DAS) to bring Ohio's background check system into line with Gov. DeWine's STRONG Ohio initiative. The RFP would create eWarrant and eProtection order systems that aim to be user-friendly and free to local governments.
- The Legislative Service Commission (LSC) reports that the state budget is on a favorable trajectory, with General Revenue Fund (GRF) expenditures coming in below estimates by 1.4% or $264.5 million for the first half of the fiscal year.
- A group known as the Ohioans For Secure & Fair Elections, along with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), has filed petition summary language with Attorney General Yost's office for a constitutional amendment that would automatically register eligible Ohioans to vote when doing business with the Bureau of Motor Vehicles unless they choose to opt-out, along with other voting-related proposals.
AUDITOR'S OFFICE LAUNCHES TRAINING IN CYBER SECURITY FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
As the threat of cyberattacks on local governments continues to be a main issue of concern for local officials, the Ohio Auditor's office has created a training session on how local officials can prevent and deal with cyberattacks should they occur.
The office of the Ohio Auditor of State Keith Faber is hosting a Local Government Officials Conference from April 7-9 at the Hyatt Regency in Columbus. You can register for the conference by clicking HERE.
As local officials learn to protect their cities and villages from cybersecurity threats, the state is also taking action to help local governments in the event of a cyberattack. In late October 2019, Governor DeWine signed SB 52, which create a cyber reserve force under the Ohio Adjutant General.
Much like the National Guard, which is also overseen by the Adjutant General, the cyber reserve force will be called into action when a cyberattack occurs. However, the cyber reserve force will actually be made up of civilians who volunteer to be on the force.
The League encourages our members to attend the conference in April and any subsequent trainings that are made available. It is important that Ohio's cities and villages are equipped to defend themselves from cyber security threats.
DAYTON FEATURED IN NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES' "CITIES SPEAK" BLOG
Jeffrey J. Mims Jr., a Commissioner on the City of Dayton's City Commission, authored a post in the National League of Cities' "Local Leader Voices" series on how the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) has impacted the Dayton community for the better.
Mims Jr. explains that the EITC is a refundable tax credit for working individual and families earning $54,000 or less annually. The community engagement department of Dayton has partnered with the Dayton Earned Income Tax Coalition to ensure those individuals and families understand what they are entitled to under the EITC and ensure they get as much of that tax credit as possible. You can read the article in full HERE.
MUNICIPAL ENGINEERS INVITED TO LEADERSHIP TRAINING
The Engineers Foundation of Ohio is holding training through the Engineers Leadership Institute called "The Engineer as Leader", which will take place from February 7-8 at the Columbus Airport Marriott.
The mission of the Engineers Leadership Institute is "to invest in leadership training in upwardly-mobile engineers so they may develop a vision that motivates others to move with a passion." The training program is designed to instruct attendees on how to motivate their colleagues, expand their range of leadership strategies and explore "situation analysis" and executive leadership.
All design professionals are invited to this training, including government engineers. The registration deadline ends on Jan. 31. To find out more information and to register, click HERE.
NEW BILLS OF MUNICIPAL INTEREST
Here is a bill introduced this week that impacts municipalities:
- HB 476 - EMINENT DOMAIN. Sponsored by Rep. Manning (R - New Middletown) and Rep. Hambley (R -Brunswick), would amend the law regarding eminent domain and to declare an emergency.
Note: This language appears to reflect the concerns of the League and other local governments regarding HB 288, the bill impacting eminent domain in the case of a recreational trail. We will continue to review the legislation and will update our members on this bill as more information becomes available.
COMMITTEE RECAP: BILLS OF MUNICIPAL INTEREST
Here are the bills impacting municipalities that received committee hearings this week:
- HB 169 - IMMIGRATION LAWS (SANCTUARY CITIES/POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS). Sponsored by Rep. Keller (R - Middletown) and Rep. Antani (R - Miamisburg), would require state and local authorities to cooperate with the federal government in the enforcement of immigration laws, sanction those that fail to do so, and declare an emergency. During its first hearing before the House Criminal Justice Committee, the bill's sponsors explained the legislation would withhold funding from political subdivisions that call themselves "sanctuary" jurisdictions and make it possible for those local officials to be held responsible for personal injury, death or property loss if the "sanctuary" jurisdiction declaration is deemed as the proximate cause of the crime. The League is opposed to this legislation.(Link: https://bit.ly/2RKYdzS)
- HB 312 - CROWDFUNDING. Sponsored by Rep. Powell (R - Laura), would permit intrastate equity crowdfunding under certain circumstances. During its first hearing before the Senate Finance Committee, the bill's sponsor explained how the bill would encourage increased investment in Ohio businesses. The League is supportive of this legislation.(Link: https://bit.ly/37naDoa)
- HB 421 - LOCAL GOVERNMENT IMMUNITY. Sponsored by Rep. Smith (R - Germantown) and Rep. Blair (R - Weathersfield Twp.), 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 House Civil Justice Committee, the bill's sponsors explained the legislation was inspired by an incident in Cincinnati. The League is still looking into this legislation.(Link: https://bit.ly/2RNZIx2)
- SB 182 - FIREARM PURCHASES. Sponsored by Sen. Thomas (D - Cincinnati) and Sen. Lehner (R - Kettering), would raise the minimum age to purchase a firearm to age 21 and to increase the penalty for improperly furnishing firearms to an underage person. During it second hearing before the Senate Government Oversight and Reform Committee, Moms Demand Action testified in support of the bill. The League is neutral on this legislation.(Link: https://bit.ly/3aFn4gT)
- SB 237 - DUTY TO RETREAT. Sponsored by Sen. Johnson (R - McDermott), would enact the Ohio Duty to Retreat Act to modify the law regarding self-defense. During its fourth hearing before the Senate Government Oversight and Reform Committee, opponents including Students Demand Action and Moms Demand Action testified in opposition to the bill. The League is neutral on this legislation.(Link: https://bit.ly/2TQn6g1)
- HB 295 - ELECTRIC SCOOTERS. Sponsored by Rep. Hoops (R - Napoleon), would establish requirements governing low-speed electric scooters. During its second hearing before the Senate Transportation, Commerce and Workforce Committee, proponents including scooter company Bird and shared mobility company Wheels Lab testified in support of the bill. The League is neutral on this legislation.(Link: https://bit.ly/30PgT5J)
- SB 72 - FIREWORKS LAW. Sponsored by Sen. Burke (R - Marysville), would revise the Fireworks Law. During its fourth hearing before the Senate Transportation, Commerce and Workforce Committee, a veteran asked the committee to consider veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) before passing a bill regarding fireworks regulations. The League is neutral on this legislation.(Link: https://bit.ly/37m7AN5)
- HB 34 - MINIMUM WAGE. Sponsored by Rep. Kelly (D - Cincinnati), would increase the state minimum wage and allow municipalities, townships and counties to establish higher minimum wage requirements. During its first hearing before the House Commerce and Labor Committee, the bill's sponsor explained the bill's intention to gradually increase the minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2023. The League is still looking into this legislation.(Link: https://bit.ly/2sRaKJw)
COMMITTEE SCHEDULE FOR THE WEEK OF JANUARY 26, 2020
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Tuesday, January 28, 2020
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HOUSE CIVIL JUSTICE
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Tue., Jan. 28, 2020, 2:00 PM, Hearing Room 114
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Rep. Hambley: 614-466-8140
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OR AFTER SESSION
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STATUTORY IMMUNITY-HOSPITAL POLICE (SMITH J, BLAIR G) To 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.
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Second Hearing, Proponent Testimony
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Report(s):
Bill Track, My Tracked Bills, OML Legislative Report
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Wednesday, January 29, 2020
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HOUSE FEDERALISM
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Wed., Jan. 29, 2020, 9:30 AM, Hearing Room 121
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Rep. Becker: 614-466-8134
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CONCEALED WEAPONS (WIGGAM S) To 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.
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First Hearing, Sponsor Testimony
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Report(s):
My Tracked Bills, OML Legislative Report
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CHECK OUR WEBSITE MONDAY FOR ANY CHANGES TO THE COMMITTEE SCHEDULE
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Ohio Municipal League Meetings & Trainings
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Mayors Court 2020 Initial Training
February 20 & 21
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Newly Elected Council Training Programs
Saturday February 29, Mason Area
Saturday March 21, Columbus Area
Saturday April 4, Independence Area
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OML/OMAA Webinar
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February 12, 2020 11:00 am ~ 12:00 pm
"Top Errors Municipalities make in the Discipline Process
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