General Assembly activity
The General Assembly sent Senate Bill (SB) 26 to Gov. Mike DeWine for his signature. The bill permits teachers to deduct from their state income taxes up to $250 for out-of-pocket expenses for classroom supplies and professional development.
House activity
The House passed House Bill (HB) 76 by a vote of 54-39. The bill modifies the form of election notices and ballot language for property tax levies. The bill now goes to the Senate. Gov. Mike DeWine in July line-item vetoed the bill’s provisions after they were added to the state budget bill, HB 166.
The House also passed HB 119 by a vote of 91-2. The bill revises the law regarding distracted driving and texting while driving, and applies enhanced penalties to motorists who illegally pass a school bus and do so in a distracted manner. The bill now goes to the Senate.
Senate activity
The Senate passed SB 89 by a vote of 31-0. The bill revises the law regarding career-technical education and joint vocational school districts. The bill now goes to the House.
House Finance Committee
The committee held a second hearing on HB 305, sponsored by Reps. Robert R. Cupp (R-Lima) and John Patterson (D-Jefferson), which creates a new school-funding formula. Thomas L. Hosler II, superintendent, Perrysburg EV, and Ryan Pendleton, treasurer, Akron City provided proponent testimony, which can be accessed here.
Senate Judiciary Committee
The committee held a third hearing on SB 16, which requires public high schools to instruct students in proper interactions with peace officers during traffic stops and other encounters. No witnesses were present to testify on the bill.
Senate Ways and Means Committee
The committee held a first hearing on SB 125, sponsored by Sens. Jay Hottinger (R-Newark) and Andrew O. Brenner (R-Powell), which expands the income tax deduction allowed for contributions to Ohio’s 529 education savings plans to include contributions to 529 plans established by other states.
House Higher Education Committee
The committee amended and passed SB 120, which permits state audits of state institutions of higher education. The amendment requires public high schools to allow a university or college that participates in the College Credit Plus (CCP) program and is located within 30 miles of the school, or the next closest one if none are within that distance, to attend annual CCP informational sessions about CCP if the university or college requests to attend. Currently, only “partnering” entities that have entered into an alternative payment agreement with the school can attend.
Posted by Will Schwartz on 10/25/2019