House activity
The House passed Senate Bill (SB) 26 by a vote of 90-0. 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. The bill returns to the Senate for a concurrence vote.
Prior to the vote, the House Finance Committee amended the bill with several changes including:
• exempting from sales and use tax the sale of feminine hygiene products associated with menstruation, and the sale of prescription diapers or incontinence pads covered by Medicaid;
• removing a provision that excludes income earned from the practice of law or lobbying from being eligible for the business income deduction and 3% flat tax rate.
House Ways and Means Committee
The committee conducted sponsor testimony on:
• House Bill (HB) 193, sponsored by Reps. Gary Scherer (R-Circleville) and John Patterson (D-Jefferson), 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.
• HB 255, sponsored by Rep. James M. Hoops (R-Napoleon), which requires the state’s tax expenditure report to include information on property tax exemptions and to require a periodic review of each property tax exemption.
Senate Transportation, Commerce and Workforce Committee
The committee held a third hearing on SB 134, which increases the penalties for the offense of improperly passing a stopped school bus, allows images captured by school bus cameras to be used as corroborating evidence for such an offense and appropriates $500,000 for fiscal years 2020 and 2021 for purchasing and installing cameras on school buses. No witnesses were present to testify.
The committee also held a second hearing on HB 4, sponsored by Reps. Tracy M. Richardson (R-Marysville) and Phillip M. Robinson Jr. (D-Solon), which requires the Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation to act as a liaison between the business community and the Ohio Department of Education or the chancellor of higher education with regard to industry-recognized credentials or certificate programs.
House Criminal Justice Committee
The committee amended HB 119, sponsored by Rep. Reggie Stoltzfus (R-Paris Township), which revises the law regarding distracted driving and texting while driving. The amendment applies enhanced penalties to motorists who illegally pass a school bus and who do so in a distracted manner.
House Finance Committee
The committee amended HB 194, which legalizes and regulates sports gaming and earmarks 98% of the sports gaming profits for education. The changes, which do not affect the education provisions, can be viewed here.
Senate Finance Committee
The committee conducted a third hearing on HB 2, which permits a collaboration of school districts, among others, and multiple industry sector partnerships to act as a regional sector partnership and be eligible for state grants. No witnesses were present to testify.
Posted by Will Schwartz on 10/11/2019