United States Department of Education
The United States Department of Education (USDOE) sent a letter to the chief state school officers that provided guidance on federal assessments. The letter indicated that federal assessments are still required but USDOE would provide states with flexibilities that they can implement in how those tests are administered. The letter also indicates that states could request a waiver for the 2020-21 school year of the accountability and school identification requirements in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA). Click here to read the letter.

Governor activity
Gov. Mike DeWine announced that new guidance for proms and graduations are forthcoming.

Senate activity
The Senate passed Senate Bill (SB) 19 by a vote of 31-0. The bill would establish a property tax exemption for certain property used for wetland mitigation projects.

The Senate also passed SB 57 by a vote of 31-0. The bill exempts from property taxation qualifying housing provided by a charitable organization to individuals diagnosed with mental illness or a substance use disorder.

House Finance Subcommittee on Primary and Secondary Education
The committee held a first hearing on House Bill (HB) 110, sponsored by Rep. Scott Oelslager (R-North Canton), which makes operating appropriations for the fiscal year (FY) 2022 and 2023 biennium. Providing proponent testimony was State Superintendent of Public Instruction Paolo DeMaria. Click here to read the testimony.

The committee also held hearings on HB 1, sponsored by Reps. Jamie Callender (R-Concord) and Bride Rose Sweeney (D-Cleveland), which creates a new school-funding formula. OSBA, the Ohio Association of School Business Officials (OASBO) and the Buckeye Association of School Administrators (BASA) provided proponent testimony. Click here to read the testimony. Testifying in support of the bill were:

House Primary and Secondary Education Committee
The committee held a third hearing on HB 67, which waives state testing requirements for the 2020-21 school year; requires the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) to seek a federal waiver from testing; and permits for the 2020-21 school year the flexibility for schools to use a final course grade in lieu of an end-of-course exam to satisfy the requirements for a high school diploma if that exam was canceled. Proponent testimony was provided by Keith D. Millard, superintendent, Batavia Local (Clermont).

Senate Primary and Secondary Education Committee
The committee held sponsor testimony on SB 37, sponsored by Sens. Teresa Fedor (D-Toledo) and Nathan H. Manning (R-North Ridgeville), which changes education law for the 2020-21 school year to provide school districts continued flexibility with graduation requirements and assessments during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The committee amended SB 1, sponsored by Sens. Steve Wilson (R-Maineville) and Rob McColley (R-Napoleon), which requires students who enter the ninth grade for the first time on or after July 1, 2021, to complete at least one-half unit of instruction in the study of financial literacy. The amendment exempts chartered nonpublic schools from the bill’s requirements. OSBA, OASBO, BASA and the Ohio Association of Secondary School Administrators provided interested-party testimony. Click here to read the testimony.

Senate Veterans and Public Safety Committee
The committee amended SB 23, which expressly allows the use of cameras to capture images and videos of vehicles illegally passing a stopped school bus and establishes a civil penalty when a driver who illegally passes a school bus cannot be identified. One of the amendments pertains to identification of a driver of a car dealer vehicle. The other amendment allows school districts to choose the company with which to contract and allows for additional technology and initiatives other than cameras.

House Ways and Means Committee
The committee passed HB 51, which revises the process for adjusting property values due to instances that result in injury or destruction to the property.

The committee passed HB 66, which requires the state’s tax expenditure report to include information on property tax exemptions and requires a periodic review of each property tax exemption.

The committee held a second hearing on HB 71, sponsored by Reps. Phil Plummer (R-Dayton) and Paula Hicks-Hudson (D-Toledo), which exempts from property taxation qualifying housing provided by a charitable organization to individuals diagnosed with mental illness or a substance use disorder.

The committee held a second hearing on SB 18, sponsored by Sens. Kristina D. Roegner (R-Hudson) and Tim Schaffer (R- Lancaster), which expressly incorporates changes in the Internal Revenue Code into Ohio law as it relates to changes in federal adjusted gross income that impacts school districts that levy income taxes.

The committee held sponsor testimony on HB 123, sponsored by Reps. Mark Fraizer (R-Newark) and Jon Cross (R-Kenton), which modifies community reinvestment areas by increasing school districts’ approval for an exemption from 50% to 75% and eliminates the requirement for revenue sharing, among other changes.

The committee held sponsor testimony on HB 126, sponsored by Rep. Derek Merrin (R-Monclova Township), which requires school boards to pass a resolution approving a property valuation complaint or counter-complaint prior to filing that complaint and also send written notice to the property owner indicating intent to file a complaint or counter-complaint.

Senate Government Oversight and Reform Committee
The committee passed SB 9, which requires ODE and other state agencies to reduce regulatory restrictions by 30% by 2025.

The committee held a third hearing on SB 17, which makes eligibility changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and amends requirements of SNAP electronic benefit transfer cards.

House State and Local Government Committee
The committee accepted a substitute version and passed HB 6, which modifies the laws governing school nurses who have a bachelor's degree and pharmacy technician trainees who are enrolled in an approved career-technical school program. The changes in the substitute bill pertain to time limitations for a temporary nursing applicant to submit an application and maintain a license due to taking an examination.

The committee accepted a substitute version of HB 90, which would establish the Ohio Health Oversight and Advisory Committee to provide legislative oversight of all orders of administrative agencies, boards and commissions affecting public health emergencies. The substitute version extends the ability of the legislature to review orders issued by commissions and statewide officers. Additionally, it allows the state to be sued in local court.

House Insurance Committee
The committee held sponsor testimony on HB 122, sponsored by Reps. Mark Fraizer (R-Newark) and Adam Holmes (R-Nashport), which establishes and modifies requirements regarding the provision of telehealth services of school psychologists, speech-language pathologists and occupational therapists, among others.

Ohio Department of Education
ODE provided information about extended learning plans and provided a template that may be used.

Posted by Nicole Piscitani on 2/26/2020