The League of Women Voters of Ohio
Legislative Update

 

Report created on February 1, 2008

 

 

 

If you compare this report to the last one you won’t find many changes except for a flurry of new bills filed early this year.  The Ohio Legislature has held remarkably few hearings and passed very little legislation.  However, the lobby corps has still been active.  The Ohio Department of Education has been coming up with new “ideas” for funding education.  The Secretary of State is responding to the Everest Report about the reliability of the equipment that directly records votes and the optical scan systems and proposing changes for both the primary and general elections in 2008.  Consumer groups are looking into broader health care coverage for Ohioans.  LWVO lobbyists are actively involved with these issues and are helping form legislation that will be introduced later in the year.

 

 

 

HB5

EMINENT DOMAIN (GIBBS, B) Implements recommendations made by the Eminent Domain Task Force.

 

Current Status:   

6/19/2007 - Referred to State and Local Government and Veterans Affairs Committee

 

Comments:   

The bill passed unanimously by the House after little debate on 6/13/2007.

 

Position:   

LWVO Land Use

 

 

 

HB6

STATE CHILDREN'S HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM (STEWART, J) Increases coverage under the State Children's Health Insurance Program.

 

Current Status:   

2/20/2007 - Referred to Finance and Appropriations Committee

 

Comments:   

LWVO supports extension of coverage to children whose parents make up to 300% of the federal poverty line.

 

Position:  

LWVUS Health and Child Care

 

 

 

HB26

URBAN HOMESTEAD ZONES (WOLPERT, L) To permit the creation of urban homestead zones in cities to encourage the repopulation of certain city cores.

 

Current Status:   

5/10/2007 - House State Government and Elections, (Third Hearing)

 

Comments:   

This "initiative to jumpstart Ohio's inner cities would further expand the school voucher program" and its sponsor says is "needed to draw upper-income families back to urban areas". LWVO opposes the voucher section.
Two speakers (from the Columbus Downtown Corporation & the Buckeye Institute for Public Policy) presented arguments at the Second Hearing about the importance of increasing not only the number of residents but also families in cities. A sense of security and improved quality of schools are essential. The Third Hearing had no witnesses present.

 

Position:   

LWVO Land Use, Primary and Secondary Education

 

 

 

HB40

COUNCIL ON SUSTAINABLE ENERGY DEVELOPMENT (SKINDELL, M) To create the Council on Sustainable Energy Development and specify its duties.

 

Current Status:   

2/20/2007 - Referred to House Alternative Energy

 

Comments:   

The committee hosted a series of weekly on alternative energy from March through June. The committee will likely take the position that they have gathered sufficient information to formulate legislation and that the proposed Council is unnecessary.

 

Position:   

LWVUS Natural Resources & Global Warming

 

 

 

HB50

JUNK MOTOR VEHICLES (EVANS, C) To allow townships to remove junk motor vehicles from public and private property.

 

Current Status:   

12/4/2007 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR; eff. 3/6/08

 

Comments:   

The League supported this bill.

 

Position:   

LWVO Natural Resources, Solid Waste

 

 

 

HB54

E85 FUEL OHIO TURNPIKE (FOLEY, M) To require that blended bio-diesel and E85 blend fuel be available at all service stations located on the Ohio Turnpike

 

Current Status:   

3/14/2007 - Infrastructure, Homeland Security and Veterans Affairs, (First Hearing)

 

Comments:   

No change in status.

 

Position:   

LWVUS Energy Policy

 

 

 

HB69

DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS PROGRAMS (WOLPERT, L) Regarding transfer of development rights programs.

 

Current Status:   

4/26/2007 - House Local and Municipal Government and Urban Revitalization, (Fourth Hearing)

 

Comments:   

Testimony in support from the Ohio Environmental Council stressed the economic value to local government in terms of cost of services: residential areas cost more to service than they generate in taxes, in contrast to farms & open space, which cost about 1/3 as much. They urge Ohio to follow other states' lead, establish the voluntary Transfer of Development Rights, and "prioritize prime farmland, open space and important ecological and historic sites for TDR protection." Note that this is one of the Smart Growth techniques.

 

Position:   

LWVO Land Use

 

 

 

HB76

RENEWABLE ENERGY (HAGAN, R) Establish an annual renewable energy requirement for electric utilities.

 

Current Status:   

6/20/2007 - House Public Utilities, (First Hearing)

 

Comments:   

This bill seeks a mandatory requirement for utilities to provide customers with electricity generated from renewable sources. More than twenty states and the District of Columbia have such a requirement. AEP has proposed a voluntary version of this plan to PUCO, and Duke energy is working on one. Under the bill, no renewable power could be imported from out of state. Ohio currently has very few renewable-electricity generators and our climate makes it a poor source of wind and solar power. Biomass might be used to fulfill the requirements of this bill, but a judgment has to be made whether electricity or automotive fuel is the better use for biomass. No change in status.

 

Position:   

LWVUS Energy Policy

 

 

 

HB85

BOARD OF REGENTS (WEBSTER, S) To expand the authority of the Ohio Board of Regents.

 

Current Status:   

3/27/2007 - Education, (Fourth Hearing)

 

Comments:   

This bill appears to contradict HB 2 and SB 2 in that it provides more authority to the Board of Regents. Some features of this proposal were blended into Amended Sub. HB119 and passed by the General Assembly; however, the part that proposed establishment of a purchasing consortium for state colleges and universities was vetoed by the Governor.

 

Position:   

LWVO Higher Education

 

 

 

HB86

NON-THERAPEUTIC ABORTION (WACHTMANN, L) To prohibit the state offering, sponsoring, or endorsing a health insurance policy that covers non-therapeutic abortion.

 

Current Status:   

3/14/2007 - Health, (First Hearing)

 

Comments:   

This bill is very similar to the bill LWVO opposed last session. LWVO will oppose this bill as well.

 

Position:   

LWVUS Reproductive Choice & LWVUS Health Care

 

 

 

HB130

DYS OPERATIONS (WHITE, J) To make changes related to the operations of the Department of Youth Services.

 

Current Status:   

5/31/2007 - House Criminal Justice, (Fourth Hearing)

 

Comments:   

This bill would make numerous modifications and changes in the procedures of the Department of Youth Services. LWVO will review the bill to see how it aligns with our positions.

 

Position:

LWVO Juvenile Justice
     

HB147

LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE MINUTES (DYER, S) Require expanded minutes or transcribed records of legislative committee meetings.

 

Current Status:   

4/17/2007 - Referred to State Government and Elections Committee

 

Comments:   

LWVO expects to support this bill when it is scheduled for hearing.

 

Position:   

LWVUS Citizens Right to Know/Citizen Participation

 

 

 

HB158

TAX CREDIT-ENERGY EFFICIENT DEVICES (HUGHES, J) Allow tax credit against the personal income tax for installation of energy-efficient devices in homes.

 

Current Status:   

5/30/2007 - House Ways and Means, (Third Hearing)

 

Comments:   

We will likely testify in favor of this bill.

 

Position:   

LWVUS Energy Policy

 

 

 

HB173

JUDGES (SEITZ, B) To increase compensation, change qualifications, create the Judicial Allotment.  Review Commission, and to create the Judicial Appointment Review Commission

 

Current Status:   

10/3/2007 - House Judiciary, (Sixth Hearing) Substitute Bill

 

Comments:   

LWVO will support portions of this bill.

 

Position:   

LWVO Judicial

 

 

 

HB256

PUBLIC ACCESS COUNSELOR (WAGONER, M) To create a public access counselor

 

Current Status:   

1/10/2008 – House Judiciary, (Third Hearing)

 

Comments:   

LWVO will support this bill.

 

Position:   

LWVUS Citizen Right to Know

 

 

 

HB295

ENERGY CONSERVATION COUNTIES (WAGONER, M) To require that the amount spent by counties on energy conservation not exceed the savings from the conservation efforts.

 

Current Status:   

1/23/2008 - Referred to Energy and Public Utilities Committee

 

Comments:   

This bill would erect a barrier to energy conservation by counties.

 

Position:   

LWVUS Energy Policy

 

 

 

HB348

SPECIAL EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP PROJECT (PETERSON, J) To make changes in the law regarding the approval of community school sponsors.

 

Current Status:   

10/30/2007 – House Education, (Second Hearing) Substitute Bill

 

Comments:   

LWVO believes that public funds should be used only for public schools.

 

Position:   

LWVO Education

 

 

 

HB401

CONSERVATION EASEMENTS (HEARD, T) To partially exempt conservation easement property from taxation.

 

Current Status:   

11/27/2007 - Introduced

 

Comments:   

LWVO will watch this bill.

 

Position:   

LWVO Land Use

 

 

 

HB402

CONSERVATION EASEMENTS (PETERSON, J) To partially exempt conservation easement property from taxation.

 

Current Status:   

1/23/2008 – House Ways and Means, (Second Hearing)

 

Comments:   

LWVO will probably support this bill.

 

Position:   

LWVO Land Use

 

 

 

HB406

CORPORAL PUNISHMENT (PETERSON, J) To prohibit corporal punishment in all public schools.

 

Current Status:   

1/22/2008 – House Education, (Second Hearing)

 

Comments:   

LWVO supports this bill.

 

Position:   

LWVUS Early Intervention Children at Risk

 

 

 

HB416

GREAT LAKES COMPACT (DOLAN, M) Ratify the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact and to establish related requirements.

 

Current Status:   

1/29/2008 – House Economic Development and Environment Committee, (Fourth Hearing) Reported Out

 

Comments:   

LWVO supports this bill

 

Position:   

LWVO Water and Inter-Basin Transfer of Water

 

 

 

HB420

STATE SPENDING (BRINKMAN, T) To promote transparency with respect to state spending by requiring that certain information on state awards and earmarks, state real property management, state agency management, and state program effectiveness be collected and made available on-line.

 

Current Status:   

1/24/2008 – House State Government and Elections, (First Hearing)

 

Comments:   

None.

 

Position:   

LWVUS Citizen Right to Know

 

 

 

HB454

COMMUNITY SCHOOLS (BRADY, J) To establish a moratorium on new “brick and mortar” community schools until July 1, 2010, to require community school operators to be nonprofit entities, and to eliminate the requirement that school districts offer property suitable for classroom space for sale to community schools under certain conditions.

 

Current Status:   

1/30/2008 – Referred to Finance and Appropriations Committee

 

Comments:   

None.

 

Position:   

LWVO Education

 

 

 

HJR1

LEGISLATIVE AND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS (DEWINE, K) To create an independent commission comprised of seven individuals to help draw the legislative and congressional districts.

 

Current Status:   

2/20/2007 - Referred to State Government and Elections Committee

 

Comments:   

HJR 1 was introduced on February 20, 2007, and referred to the House State Government and Elections Committee. It is virtually identical to Am. Sub. HJR 13 from the last session. LWVO is actively working in coalition with other groups to determine the best process for redistricting before testifying. LWVO supported most of the features in HJR 13 last session.
No change in status.

 

Position:   

LWVO Apportionment/Districting

 

 

 

SB8

COLLEGE TUITION TAX DEDUCTION (COUGHLIN, K) To restore the income tax deduction for college tuition and fees.

 

Current Status:   

3/7/2007 - Ways and Means and Economic Development, (First Hearing)

 

Comments:   

No further action since 3/7/07 Offering a tax break for Ohio residents who are paying for college is another way to increase affordability, although it is a rather indirect way to "increase" the state's funding of higher education. LWVO expects to support this bill.

 

Position:   

LWVO Higher Education

 

 

 

SB28

ETHANOL (KEARNEY, E) Create an ethanol and bio-diesel producer grant program.

 

Current Status:   

3/27/2007 - Energy and Public Utilities, (First Hearing)

 

Comments:   

This bill is modeled on a program operating in Texas. In his testimony, the sponsor spoke of one $ 5-7 million plant planned for southwestern Ohio, contingent on the passage of this bill.

 

Position:   

LWVUS Energy Policy Promoting the Use of a Variety of Energy Sources

 

 

 

SB32

ALTERNATIVE FUELS (BOCCIERI, J) To promote the production of alternative fuels.

 

Current Status:   

3/27/2007 - Energy and Public Utilities, (First Hearing)

 

Comments:   

Sponsor testimony did not get much reaction.

 

Position:   

LWVUS Energy Policy and Land Use Policy

 

 

 

SB42

CONCENTRATED ANIMAL FEEDING FACILITIES (CAREY, JR., J) Expand notification requirements for concentrated animal feeding facilities.

 

Current Status:   

3/28/2007 - Agriculture, (Second Hearing)

 

Comments:   

At the 2nd hearing, two county engineers spoke for this bill, as did the OH Township Assn.'s director: "Generally we believe that major CAFOs, if not all CAFOs, should be classified as industrial operations, thus subject to regulations by local governments." LWVO supports this bill.

 

Position:   

LWVUS Natural Resources and LWVO Water Quality Standards

 

 

 

SB57

SPECIAL EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM (COUGHLIN, K; MUMPER) Establish the Special Education Scholarship Program.

 

Current Status:   

10/2/2007 – Education, (Second Hearing) SUBSTITUTE BILL ACCEPTED

 

Comments:   

Support for a funding system for public elementary and secondary education that is accountable and responsive to the taxpayers. LWVO believes that public funds should be used only for public schools. LWVO will oppose this bill.
(Note: A similar bill HB 431 (Peterson) was almost approved last December in the House, but the Senate has not been inclined to support these voucher programs).

 

Position:   

LWVO Primary and Secondary Education

 

 

 

SB78

GREAT LAKES TASK FORCE (GRENDELL, T) Create the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact Task Force.

 

Current Status:   

3/7/2007 - Environment and Natural Resources, (First Hearing)

 

Comments:   

The League continues strong support for the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact. For the last 20 years the League has monitored the Great Lakes Governors and Premiers in their development of a set of principles included in the Great Lakes Charter to guide them in developing, maintaining and strengthening the regional management regime for the waters of the Great Lakes Basin. League members have continued to voice on-going concerns of the damage to the Great Lake Basin from pollution, environmental disruptions, and unsustainable water resource management that may individually and cumulatively alter the hydrology of the Great Lakes ecosystem. Members may be called upon to testify.

 

Position:   

LWVO Water and Inter-basin Transfer of Water

 

 

 

SB100

CRIMES AGAINST JUDGES (AUSTRIA, S) Increase penalties for certain offenses when victim is a judge.

 

Current Status:   

11/28/2007 - Judiciary - Criminal Justice Committee (First Hearing)

 

Comments:   

Increase penalties for certain offenses when victim is a judge, including making the killing of a judge or magistrate an aggravating circumstance for the imposition of the death penalty for aggravated murder.
The League supports the abolition of the death penalty and a moratorium on use of the death penalty, and expects to oppose this bill if there are hearings.

 

Position:   

LWVO Capitol Punishment

 

 

 

SB107

HYBRID VEHICLES (MASON, L) To create a tax credit for individuals who purchase a new hybrid vehicle.

 

Current Status:   

3/14/2007 - Referred to Ways and Means and Economic Development Committee

 

Comments:   

LWVO recommend that it be amended to include all-electric vehicles.

 

Position:   

LWVUS Environmental Protection and Pollution Control

 

 

 

SB122

E85 BLEND FUEL (MILLER, D) Set schedule for E85 blend fuel to be available at service stations on Ohio Turnpike.

 

Current Status:   

5/1/2007 - Senate Highways and Transportation, (First Hearing)

 

Comments:   

This bill is very similar to HB 54.

 

Position:   

LWVUS Natural Resources

 

 

 

SB128

GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE (MILLER, D) Create Ohio Climate Commission to study impacts of global climate change on state of Ohio.

 

Current Status:   

4/25/2007 - Senate Environment and Natural Resources, (First Hearing)

 

Comments:   

The League was advised that this bill received a hostile reaction from several Senators during sponsor testimony.

 

Position:   

LWVUS Global Warming

 

 

 

SB141

COMMUNITY SCHOOL SPONSORS (PADGETT, J) To make changes in the law regarding the approval of community school sponsors.