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November 11, 2022

UPDATE AT A GLANCE

HAPPY VETERANS DAY

OML wishes to thank all of our veterans, including those who work for or are elected in our member municipalities. We appreciate your service and hope you have a great Veterans Day!

FRANKLIN COUNTY JUDGE ISSUES STAY RELATED TO GUN LAWS

Last week, this bulletin highlighted that a Franklin County common pleas judge granted a preliminary injunction that was temporarily blocking provisions of a state law (HB228 of the 132nd General Assembly) prohibiting cities from enacting local gun restrictions. With the Ohio Attorney General's office appealing that injunction, the same judge has now stayed his own preliminary injunction. Therefore, state laws banning local gun restrictions will remain in affect for the time being -- at least until the Tenth District Court of Appeals can hear the case. The case stems from the City of Columbus, where city officials had recently said they would act quickly to pass new gun-control legislation.

ELECTION RESULTS PAVE THE WAY FOR NEXT YEAR'S STATEHOUSE HAPPENINGS

OML has been closely following the results of the Nov. 8 general election. The Republicans increased their majorities in both the Ohio House and Senate, in addition to the statewide executive officeholders winning reelection. The Republican Supreme Court candidates won their races, as well. See more below.

LEGISLATORS COMING BACK FOR COMMITTEES AND SESSIONS

With the election being over, legislators will return to the Ohio Statehouse beginning next week. The committee schedule with hearings for legislation being tracked by OML will continue to be linked at the top of this bulletin. The House and Senate each have five session dates scheduled between now and the end of the year. See committee schedule below.

STATE DISASTER RELIEF PROGRAM AUTHORIZED FOLLOWING SEVERE STORMS

Gov. DeWine authorized the use of the State Disaster Relief Program to help several counties impacted by severe storms in February, May, June, and July of 2022. The program is intended to provide supplemental state assistance to local governments and eligible non-profit organizations for costs associated with debris removal, emergency protective measures, and permanent work. More Info

IIJA UPDATE: OHIO HAS RECEIVED $250 MILLION FOR INFRASTRUCTURE

Through the federal Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act – also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law – the state has received $250 million so far out of an expected $1.5 billion for Ohio over five years. See more below.

OPOTA RECEIVES GRANT FOR IMPAIRED DRIVER AND TRAFFIC COLLISION TRAINING

The Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy received a $280,000 grant from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to fund law enforcement training on identifying impaired drivers and investigating traffic collisions. Funds will be used to reimburse the cost of tuition for Ohio law enforcement officers who attend courses on these subjects. More Info

OUTDOOR RECREATION PROJECTS RECEIVE FUNDING

$1.7 million in state grants have been awarded to support 68 new outdoor recreation projects in local communities across the state. The grants were awarded as part of the NatureWorks program. Projects include the development of playgrounds, natural playscapes, trails, restrooms, dog parks, baseball fields, basketball courts, tennis and pickleball courts, splash pads, and picnic shelters. View Project List

OHIO'S OCTOBER REVENUES COME IN OVER ESTIMATES

The state's revenues were $111.6 million, or 5.1%, over estimates in October. This fiscal year, the state has collected $349.8 million over its estimates. Additionally, $483.6 million more has been collected up this point in the current fiscal year compared to last year.

ELECTION RESULTS PAVE THE WAY FOR NEXT YEAR'S STATEHOUSE HAPPENINGS

OML has been closely following the results of the Nov. 8 general election. The Republicans increased their majorities in both the Ohio House and Senate, in addition to the statewide executive officeholders winning reelection. Here are some points of note:

• In addition to the statewide executive officeholders being reelected, Republicans won all three Supreme Court races, holding a 4-3 court majority. With Justice Sharon Kennedy now replacing Maureen O'Connor as chief justice, there will be an empty seat to which Gov. DeWine will appoint a new justice.

• The Ohio Senate increased its Republican majority with Michele Reynolds winning over Sen. Tina Maharath in Franklin County. The 26-7 seat advantage in the Ohio Senate is the greatest majority reached since 1951.

• The House Republicans will also increase their majority -- with an expected 67 or 68 seats out of the 99-seat body. This is a historic majority over the 66 seats held by Republicans in 2017-2018.

• Both the House and Senate will have veto-proof majorities.

• All four House speaker candidates (Rep. Brian Baldridge, Derek Merrin, Phil Plummer, and Jason Stephens) won their elections, and the caucus selection for speaker and other House leadership positions will be held in the coming weeks.

• State Issue 2 was adopted by an overwhelming margin, meaning non-citizens will be constitutionally prohibited from voting in local elections. State Issue 1, which requires judges to consider public safety when setting monetary bail, passed overwhelmingly as well.

• There were just over 4 million votes cast in the gubernatorial race, which is lower than the 4.4 million cast in 2018. This means the number of signatures required to have an issue on the ballot will also decrease -- down from the current 442,958 valid signatures to the 400,000-420,000 range.

COMMITTEE SCHEDULE FOR THE WEEK OF NOV. 14

Tuesday, November 15, 2022

HOUSE AGRICULTURE AND CONSERVATION

Tue., Nov. 15, 2022, 9:00 AM, Hearing Room 121

Rep. Koehler: 614-466-2038

HB464 -- ELIMINATE WATER SYSTEM PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS (WIGGAM S) Too eliminate public water system asset management program requirements and to require the Director of Environmental Protection to rescind rules governing that program.

           Second Hearing, All Testimony, SUBSTITUTE BILL/POSSIBLE VOTE

HOUSE CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Tue., Nov. 15, 2022, 10:30 AM, Hearing Room 114

Rep. LaRe: 614-466-8100

HB283 -- EXPAND DISTRACTED DRIVING LAWS (ABRAMS C, LAMPTON B) To expand the texting while driving prohibition to a general prohibition against using an electronic wireless communications device while driving, with certain exceptions, and to create data collection requirements based on associated violations of the distracted driving laws.

           Fifth Hearing, No Testimony, POSSIBLE VOTE

HOUSE PUBLIC UTILITIES

Tue., Nov. 15, 2022, 10:30 AM, Hearing Room 122

Rep. Hoops: 614-466-3760

HB317 -- REPEAL ELECTRIC SECURITY PLANS (WILKIN S) To repeal electric security plans and make other changes to the law regarding competitive retail electric service.

           Seventh Hearing, All Testimony, SUBSTITUTE BILL           

SENATE FINANCE

Tue., Nov. 15, 2022, 2:15 PM, Senate Finance Hearing Room

Sen. Dolan: 614-466-8056

SB329 -- RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY TAXATION EXEMPTIONS (SCHURING K) To authorize certain subdivisions to designate areas within which certain residential property is wholly or partially exempted from property taxation.

           First Hearing, Sponsor Testimony

SB357 -- GUN SAFETY/ MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT (DOLAN M) To provide for issuance of safety protection orders; to address LEADS and NCIC inclusion of protection orders; to provide for seller's protection certificates under a new background check mechanism; to modify procedures and criminal offenses related to firearm transfers; to modify the laws regarding certain provisions related to mental health treatment; and to express the intent of the General Assembly to appropriate specified sums of federal funding under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 to be used regarding a behavioral health workforce and crisis infrastructure expansion.

           First Hearing, Sponsor Testimony, PENDING REFERRAL

 HOUSE CIVIL JUSTICE

Tue., Nov. 15, 2022, 2:30 PM, Hearing Room 121

Rep. Hillyer: 614-466-8035

HB646 -- PACE LOANS (CUTRONA A, ROEMER B) Regarding residential property assessed clean energy (PACE) loans.

           Third Hearing, All Testimony, AMENDMENTS 

HOUSE PRIMARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

Tue., Nov. 15, 2022, 3:00 PM, Hearing Room 122

Rep. Manning: 614-644-5076

HB374 -- CREATE LOVING STATE INDEX (HOWSE S, HICKS-HUDSON P) To create the Loving State Index and the Loving State Index Commission regarding student academic success.

           First Hearing, Sponsor Testimony           

SENATE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND ELECTIONS

Tue., Nov. 15, 2022, 4:30 PM, Senate Finance Hearing Room

Sen. Gavarone: 614-466-8060

SB260 -- LOCAL PURCHASING AUTHORITY-CONSTRUCTION (LANG G) To expand political subdivision joint purchasing authority to expressly include purchases for construction services.

           Fourth Hearing, All Testimony

HB458 -- ELIMINATE AUGUST SPECIAL ELECTIONS (HALL T) To limit when a political subdivision or taxing authority may hold an August special election.

           Second Hearing, Proponent Testimony

Wednesday, November 16, 2022

SENATE HEALTH

Wed., Nov. 16, 2022, 9:00 AM, North Hearing Room

Sen. Huffman: 614-466-6247

SCR4 -- DECLARE RACISM PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS (CRAIG H, WILLIAMS S) To declare racism a public health crisis and to ask the Governor to establish a working group to promote racial equity in Ohio.

           First Hearing, Sponsor Testimony           

HOUSE STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Wed., Nov. 16, 2022, 3:00 PM, Hearing Room 121

Rep. Wiggam: 614-466-1474

OR AFTER SESSION

HB38 -- DUTY TO RETREAT LOCATIONS (WEST T, MILLER A) To limit the locations at which a person has no duty to retreat.

           First Hearing, Sponsor Testimony

HB130 -- ALLOW POLICE DEPARTMENT FILL VACANCIES WITHOUT EXAM (MILLER J, BLACKSHEAR W) To allow a police department to fill a vacant position in the classified civil service without a competitive examination.

           First Hearing, Sponsor Testimony

HB274 -- RESTORE LOCAL AUTHORITY IN FIREARM REGULATION (UPCHURCH T, JARRELLS D) To restore local authority to generally regulate firearms-related conduct.

           First Hearing, Sponsor Testimony

Thursday, November 17, 2022

HOUSE GOVERNMENT OVERSIGHT

Thu., Nov. 17, 2022, 9:00 AM, Hearing Room 121

Rep. Wilkin: 614-466-3506

SB185 -- RIOT SUPPRESSION; FIREARM RIGHTS (SCHAFFER T) Regarding 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.

           Fourth Hearing, All Testimony, AMENDMENTS

IIJA UPDATE: OHIO HAS RECEIVED $250 MILLION

Through the federal Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act – also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law – the state has received $250 million so far out of an expected $1.5 billion for Ohio over five years.

ODOT is applying the funding received by the state to existing programs and projects that have already been deemed necessary. These include formula programs, the Transportation Review Advisory Council – which funds major new capacity projects – and increased funding for safety programs.

In addition to the state's funding, $67 million has been passed through to the regional metropolitan planning organizations, $40 million has gone directly to local governments, and other funds have gone directly to programs such as Safe Streets.

ODOT Director Jack Marchbanks also mentioned that ODOT is working to make sure it can cover the costs of inflation. Future IIJA disbursements will need to be approved in congressional funding legislation.