Senate activity
The Senate amended and passed House Bill (HB) 2 by a vote of 31-0. The bill permits a collaboration of school districts, among others, to partner with industry sectors in order to be eligible for state grants to assist with hiring employees, developing curricula and educational resources and marketing workforce partnerships. The amendment does not affect the school-related provisions of the bill.
House activity
The House passed HB 164 by a vote of 61-31. The bill deals with student religious expression in public schools. It now goes to the Senate.
The House also passed HB 210 by a vote of 59-33. The bill requires Ohio Department of Education-licensed preschool programs and other entities to screen and test prospective employees for tuberculosis and annually test certain employees for a five-year period. The bill now goes to the Senate.
House Finance Committee
The committee held a fifth hearing on HB 305, which creates a new school-funding formula. Testifying in support of the bill were Jared M. Bunting, treasurer, Trimble Local (Athens) and Dr. Michael P. Hanlon Jr., superintendent, Chardon Local (Geauga). Click here to read their testimony.
House Primary and Secondary Education Committee
The committee held a third hearing on HB 111, which requires public and private schools to transmit a transferred student’s record within five school days. Stephanie Eichenberg, board member, Toledo City, testified in support of the bill. Click here to read her testimony.
The committee also held a third hearing on HB 310, which enacts the Ohio Anti-Bullying and Hazing Act with regard to school discipline and bullying and hazing policies at public schools and colleges.
OSBA, the Buckeye Association of School Administrators (BASA), the Ohio Association of Elementary School Administrators and the Ohio Association of Secondary School Administrators testified as interested parties on the bill, which can be accessed here.
Finally, the committee heard sponsor testimony on HB 333, sponsored by Rep. Jon Cross (R-Kenton), which prescribes specific contract requirements for agreements between public schools and third parties that provide digital student record storage, management and retrieval.
Senate General Government and Agency Review Committee
The committee held sponsor testimony on HB 76, sponsored by Rep. Derek Merrin (R-Monclova Township), which modifies the form of election notices and ballot language for property tax levies. This bill was vetoed by Gov. Mike DeWine when it was included in the state budget bill, HB 166.
The committee also held a third hearing on Senate Bill 119, which exempts Ohio from daylight saving time.
Report Card Legislative Committee
The committee heard testimony from BASA and the Ohio Education Association, State Board of Education, Alliance for High Quality Education, Ohio Federation of Teachers and Fordham Institute. Click on the entity's name to access their testimony.
House Insurance Committee
The committee held sponsor testimony on HB 326, sponsored by Rep. Adam C. Miller (D-Columbus), which permits a Public Employees Retirement System or School Employees Retirement System disability benefit recipient elected to certain offices, including boards of education, to continue receiving a disability benefit during their term of office.
House Ways and Means Committee
The committee amended and passed HB 17, which permits an enhanced homestead exemption of $50,000 for surviving spouses of public safety personnel killed in the line of duty. The amendment delays the availability of the exemption by one year.
Posted by Will Schwartz on 11/15/2019