This week, the legislature completed what many regarded as a “midyear Lame Duck session”. Combined, the House and Senate voted on nearly 40 bills in their final frenzy of legislative activity for the year. Following Wednesday’s session, the General Assembly recessed for the remainder of 2025. We anticipate their return in January or February of 2026.  

Senate activity  

The Senate passed a series of property tax reform proposals:  

  • House Bill (HB) 129, sponsored by Rep. David Thomas (R-Jefferson), with a vote of 23-10. This bill would include certain property tax levies in the calculation of a school district's effective millage floor. HB 129 was amended in the Senate Local Government Committee to:  
    • Allow a school district that levies a substitute levy that was approved by voters before 2026 to renew that levy, once it expires, as a fixed-sum levy at up to the sum the substitute levy collected in its final year. The levy may be imposed for up to five years and may be further renewed. 
    • Provide that fixed-sum levies that substitute for, or subsequently renew, qualifying substitute levies continue to be subject to the property tax rollbacks. 
    • Allow a fixed-sum levy to renew an emergency levy that was approved by voters before 2026 to be further renewed. 
    • Remove the option to renew multiple emergency levies on the same ballot question. 
      • The House concurred with the Senate’s amendments with a vote of 79-8. The bill now goes to the governor for signature. 
  • HB 186, sponsored by Reps. James M. Hoops (R-Napoleon) and Thomas, with a vote of 30-3. This bill would cap tax growth for districts on the 20-mill floor to inflation through a retroactive tax credit and provide funds to reimburse school districts for some losses in 2026 and 2027. HB 186 was amended in the Senate Local Government Committee to increase the 2.5% state rollback for owner occupied residential property to 15.38% by 2029 and phase out the 10% rollback on "nonbusiness" residential property to 0% by 2029. The bill continues to apply the full 10% rollback to agricultural property, as under existing law. The House concurred with the Senate’s amendments with a vote of 69-14. The bill now goes to the governor for signature. 
  • HB 309, sponsored by Rep. Thomas, with a vote of 23-10. This bill allows county budget commissions (CBC) to reduce millage on certain voter-approved tax levies, excluding debt levies, if they find it necessary or prudent to do so. HB 309 was amended in the Senate Local Government Committee to require the CBC to provide public testimony to both the taxing authority and the taxing unit before acting and to reduce the time in which a CBC can reduce a newly passed levy from five years to one. The House concurred with the Senate’s amendments with a vote of 64-24. The bill now goes to the governor for signature. 
  • HB 335, sponsored by Rep. Thomas, with a vote of 23-10. This bill would cap the inflationary growth on all inside millage beginning in tax year 2026. HB 335 was amended in the Senate Local Government Committee to remove provisions, added by the House, that allowed a reduction of inside millage to accompany a school district or municipal income tax levy. The House concurred with the Senate’s amendments with a vote of 66-21. The bill now goes to the governor for signature. 

The chamber passed four additional education bills:  

  • HB 114, sponsored by Reps. Adam Bird (R-New Richmond) and Kevin Ritter (R-Marietta), with a vote of 29-4. This bill would alter the age requirements for kindergarten admission. The bill was amended in the Senate Education Committee to ensure students affected by a scoring error on the biology end-of-course assessment during the 2024-25 school year would be held harmless. The House concurred with the Senate’s amendments with a vote of 83-0. The bill now goes to the governor for signature.  
  • HB 184, sponsored by Reps. Brian Stewart (R-Ashville) and Ty Matthews (R-Findlay), with a vote of 32-1. This bill was significantly amended in the Senate Finance Committee to include various operating and capital budget cleanups, including the following education-related provisions: 
    • Excludes educational service center governing boards from the prohibition of any school district board of education from spending more than 15% of its annual operating budget on administrative expenses. 
    • Permits the educational service center (ESC) serving the Montgomery County Pupil Transportation Pilot Program to transport a student to and from that student's workplace learning experiences, in addition to a student's place of residence. 
    • Clarifies that accelerated college and career pathways ninety-hour degree programs are ninety semester credit hour degree programs. 
    • Extends to July 9, 2028 (from July 5, 2026) the date by which the Department of Children and Youth (DCY) must begin to calculate publicly funded child care (PFCC) payments based on a child's enrollment with a child care provider rather than on the child's attendance. 
    • Corrects the licensing body of a preschool program or school-age child care program from ODEW to DCY in the law regarding school emergency management plans. 
    • Authorizes a city, local or exempted village school district located in a county with a population between 530,000 and 540,000 according to the most recent federal decennial census to arrange for pupil transportation services for the district's students in 9th through 12th grade via the local mass transit system. 
      • Requires any school district that arranges for mass transit transportation to ensure both of the following: 1. The students are assigned to a route that does not require them to make more than one transfer; and 2. That any transfer does not occur at the mass transit system's central transfer hub.  
    • Specifies that a grant awarded under the DCY Early Childhood Education Grant Program is not PFCC or a family services program (and therefore not subject to the laws governing PFCC or family services programs). 
    • Requires ODEW to prepare and issue a report by June 30 each year to the Governor and the General Assembly on the implementation of the law regarding the Science of Reading in public schools. 
    • Allows a municipal corporation, township or county that has previously exempted property taxes on improvements to real property as part of a tax increment financing (TIF) arrangement to extend an expiring or expired exemption for up to 30 years if all of the following conditions are met: 
      • The buildings comprising the improvements are owned and occupied by a multinational for-profit entity; 
      • The entity has maintained operations at those buildings for more than twenty-five years; 
      • The entity will commit to investing at least $100 million dollars and retaining at least 1,000 jobs at the location over the period of the extended exemption; 
      • The improvements were previously subject to a TIF arrangement that expired after tax year 2024. This allows the extension to carry into tax year 2025 or any following tax year. 
    • Permits a municipal corporation, county, new community authority or port authority in Franklin County to apply, within 12 months of the bill's 90-day effective date, for a property tax exemption and abatement of delinquent taxes on any multilevel off-street parking structure owned or leased by the applicant, without regard to the regular time and payment limitations imposed by current law, i.e., a restriction that abatements may not generally be sought for more than three years of delinquent taxes and that abatements are unavailable for delinquent taxes accrued by previous owners. 
      • The House concurred with the Senate’s amendments with a vote of 82-5. HB 184 now goes to the governor for signature. 
  • Senate Bill (SB) 19, sponsored by Sen. Andrew Brenner (R-Delaware), with a vote of 33-0. This bill would require districts and schools to develop a mathematics improvement and monitoring plan for each student who qualifies for math intervention services, beginning with the 2025-2026 school year. SB 19 was amended in the Senate Education Committee to: 
    • Correct cross references in the bill (amendment); 
    • Change the deadline for schools to create math improvement plans for students to 60 days following a qualifying exam (amendment); 
    • Expand math curriculum and instructional material data reporting requirements to grades K-12 (amendment); 
    • Require districts to enroll 7th grade students who score "accomplished" or "advanced" on math achievement assessments in 8th grade Algebra I, with an opt-out option for parents (amendment). 
      • The bill now goes to the House for consideration.  
  • SB 34, sponsored by Sen. Terry Johnson (R- McDermott), with a vote of 23-10. This bill would require public school boards to select at least four of the bill's listed historical educational documents to display in each 4-12 social studies classroom by July 1, 2026. The Senate Education Committee accepted a technical amendment to the bill earlier in the day. SB 34 now goes to the House for consideration.  

House activity  

The House passed five education related bills, including:  

  • HB 88, sponsored by Reps. Cindy Abrams (R-Harrison) and Phil Plummer (R-Dayton), with a vote of 65-18. This bill would, among other things, require public schools to incorporate instruction on fentanyl awareness and abuse prevention for grades K-12 and require boards of education to designate one week of the school year as "fentanyl poisoning awareness week”. HB 88 passed out of House Judiciary Committee earlier in the week.  
  • HB 455, sponsored by Reps. Gayle Manning (R-North Ridgeville) and Bird, with a vote of 82-0. This bill would make changes to the operation of public schools and ODEW and eliminate obsolete provisions of education law.  
  • HB 476, sponsored by Reps. Meredith Craig (R-Smithville) and Thomas, with a vote of 81-0. This bill would authorize online raffles under the Charitable Gaming Law. The bill was amended in the House Finance Committee to require participants in an online raffle to be at least 18 years of age and an Ohio resident and prohibits entities from using an online raffle platform that incorporates an entertainment theme resembling a slot machine. An emergency clause was also added to the bill with a vote of 82-0.  
  • HB 485, sponsored by Rep. Melanie Miller (R-Ashland), with a vote of 58-26. This bill would enact the Baby Olivia Act to include human growth and development instruction in grades five through 12. The bill was amended in the House Education Committee to allow a parent to opt a child out of instruction and remove language giving the attorney general the power to sue for damages and injunctive relief if a school violates the legislation's mandates.  
  • HB 486, sponsored by Reps. Gary Click (R-Vickery) and Mike Dovilla (R-Berea), with a vote of 61-25. This bill enacts the Charlie Kirk American Heritage Act to permit teachers in public schools and state institutions of higher education to provide instruction on the influence of Judeo-Christian values on history and culture.  

Each of these bills now move to the Senate for consideration.  

Senate Education Committee  

The committee passed House Continuing Resolution (HCR) 22 from Reps. Bill Roemer (R–Richfield) and Jack K. Daniels (R-New Franklin). This resolution would encourage students in grades one through twelve to read the U.S. Declaration of Independence in the classroom during the 2025-2026 school year in celebration of its 250th anniversary. 

The committee amended SB 290, sponsored by Sens. Tom Patton (R-Strongsville) and Michele Reynolds (R-Canal Winchester). This bill would require public and chartered nonpublic schools to purchase and install an exterior secure master key box on each school building. The accepted amendment exempts the locations of the secure master key boxes from the public records laws. The committee heard proponent and interested party testimony on the bill.  

House Education Committee  

The committee passed HB 326, sponsored by Reps. Ritter and Jonathan Newman (R-Troy). This bill would make changes regarding the Classic Learning Test entrance exam. 

Senate General Government Committee 

The committee held its second hearing on SB 107 sponsored by Sen. Brenner. The bill would require candidates for a school district board of education or governing board of an educational service center to be nominated by primary election or, in the case of an independent candidate, by nominating petition. The bill also requires candidates for those offices to appear on the general election ballot with a political party designation along with other partisan offices. The committee accepted a substitute version of the bill (which made clarifying amendments regarding the state board of education) and heard proponent testimony. 

House Government Oversight Committee  

The committee held its third hearing on HB 42 sponsored by Reps. Tex Fischer (R-Boardman) and Josh Williams (R-Sylvania Twp.). This bill would require certain agencies, including the Department of Education and Workforce (ODEW), to collect and report data concerning the citizenship or immigration status of persons with whom they come into contact. The committee heard opponent and interested party testimony on the bill.  

House Community Revitalization Committee 

The committee heard sponsor testimony on HB 562, introduced by Reps. Ismail Mohamed (D-Columbus) and Beryl Piccolantonio (D-Gahanna). This bill would make an appropriation to promote food options for students with religious dietary restrictions. 

House Health Committee  

The committee held its second hearing on HB 437 from by Reps. Tristan Rader (D-Lakewood) and Jean Schmidt (R-Loveland). This bill would alter existing requirements regarding youth cardiac monitoring. The committee heard proponent testimony on the bill.  

The committee held its second hearing on HB 172, sponsored by Rep. Newman. This bill would prohibit the provision of mental health services to minors without parental consent. The committee heard opponent testimony on the bill.  

House Ways and Means Committee  

The committee held its second hearing on HB 391, sponsored by Reps. Daniels and Heidi Workman (R-Rootstown), which would require tax rates to be expressed as a percentage of true value in addition to mills on tax bills, election notices and ballot language. The committee heard proponent testimony on the bill.  

The committee heard sponsor testimony on HB 443, introduced by Reps. Thomas and Adam Matthews (R-Lebanon). This bill would prohibit enforcement of delinquent property tax liens against a homeowner who is either 65 years of age or older, or at least 60 years old and also the surviving spouse of an individual under whom the homestead previously qualified. Additionally, the homestead must have a true value of less than $750,000 and the owner must have made some payment in the preceding month towards the delinquent taxes, penalties, interest or special assessments. 

The committee held its third hearing on HB 540, sponsored by Reps. Justin Pizzulli (R-Scioto County) and Thomas, which would make changes to the law regarding conservation organizations with significant holdings of tax-exempt land. The committee heard opponent and interested party testimony on the bill.  

Recently introduced bills  

  • HB 594 -- Sponsored by Reps. Mike Odioso (R-Green Twp.) and Hall, this bill would require school districts to offer, and students to complete, at least one high school computer science course. 
  • HB 597 -- Sponsored by Reps. Mark Sigrist (D-Grove City) and Matthews, this bill would prohibit the operation of unmanned aerial vehicles over schools. 
  • HB 598 -- Sponsored by Reps. Sigrist and Hoops, this bill would authorize local governments to create residential stability zones where homeowners may qualify for a partial property tax exemption. 
  • HB 605 -- Sponsored by Rep. Workman, this bill would codify the Spearin doctrine in public construction contracts.  
  • HB 608 – Sponsored by Rep. Thomas and Chris Glassburn (D-North Olmstead), this bill would modify the law governing property taxes and other local taxes. 
  • SB 328 -- Sponsored by Sen. Kyle Koehler (R-Springfield), this bill would create the Education and Workforce Return on Investment Initiative, a middle school career exploration course requirement and student academic and career plans. 

Rules activity  

ODEW has the following rules open for public comment:  

  • Chapter 3301-18: Calculating student attendance rate 
    • OAC 3301-18-01: Calculating student attendance rate  
  • Chapter 3301-35: Standards for kindergarten through twelfth grade 
    • OAC 3301-35-01: Purpose and definitions 
    • OAC 3301-35-02: Governance, leadership, and strategic planning 
    • OAC 3301-35-03: Blended learning 
    • OAC 3301-35-04: Student and other stakeholder focus 
    • OAC 3301-35-05: Faculty and staff focus 
    • OAC 3301-35-06: Educational programs and support 
    • OAC 3301-35-07: Data-driven improvement 
    • OAC 3301-35-08: Non-chartered, non-tax supported school 
    • OAC 3301-35-09: Chartered nonpublic schools 
    • OAC 3301-35-15: Standards for the implementation of positive behavior intervention supports and the use of restraint and seclusion 
    • OAC 3301-35-16: Online learning 
  • Chapter 3301-19: School district expenditure flow reports 
    • OAC 3301-19-01: Definitions 
    • OAC 3301-19-02: Purpose 
    • OAC 3301-19-03: Procedures for submitting data and presenting information 
  • Chapter 3301-51: Education of students with special needs 
    • OAC 3301-51-11: Preschool children eligible for special education 

Click here to view the ODEW rules open for public comment. 

The State Board of Education has the following rule open for public comment:  

  • Chapter 3302-24-18: Resident educator license. 

Click here to view the SBOE rules open for public comment. 

Federal update 

Please click here to read the most recent Federal Advocacy Report, which includes up-to-date information on federal education efforts. Click here to read the most recent Federal Court Report. 

Posted by Malania Birney on 11/21/2025