We’re back! After a delay caused by Winter Storm Fern, the Ohio House returned from their holiday recess this week. The Senate is slated to return next week, with both chambers holding regular sessions until mid-June.
Facts in a Flash is designed to keep you up to date on what happens at the Statehouse each week. It’s published every Friday that the General Assembly is in session.
Governor’s activity
Governor Mike DeWine signed House Bill (HB) 434 into law. Sponsored by Rep. Bernard Willis (R-Springfield) and Brian Lampton (R-Fairborn), this act makes corrections to the transportation and main operating budgets. HB 434 included an emergency clause, so it became effective law immediately upon signature.
Gov. DeWine …
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.
The Senate passed a series…
The Senate voted 31-0 to pass House Bill (HB) 124, sponsored by Reps. David Thomas (R-Jefferson) and Thomas Hall (R-Madison Township). HB 124 would modify the process for property tax sales-assessment ratio studies. The bill now goes to the governor for signature.
The upper chamber also voted 31-0 to pass…
The Senate unanimously passed House Bill (HB) 10, sponsored by Reps. Roy Klopfenstein (R-Haviland) and Jack Daniels (R-New Franklin). HB 10 would require public school boards of education and ODEW to adopt policies prohibiting the purchase of “cultivated-protein food” products or food “misbranded as a meat or egg product”. The bill now goes back to the House for a concurrence vote. …
ODEW Student Transportation Workgroup meets
The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (ODEW) student transportation workgroup, created in House Bill (HB) 96, met for the first time this week. Members of the workgroup include:
Governor’s activity
Gov. Mike DeWine signed House Bill (HB) 57, sponsored by Reps. Dontavius Jarrells (D-Columbus) and Josh Williams (R- Sylvania Township), into law. HB 57 requires any public or nonpublic school that elects to keep a supply of an overdose reversal drug for emergency use to adopt and implement a policy regarding the supply’s maintenance and the drug’s use. HB 57 also includes expanded timeframes for students to attend release time for religious…
The committee voted to pass Senate Bill (SB) 156, sponsored by Senator Al Cutrona (R-Canfield). This bill would require school districts to provide “success sequence” instruction in at least one course required for high school graduation.
The committee held its third hearing on SB 144 ,…
Governor’s activity
Gov. Mike DeWine has announced the creation of the Ohio School Bus Safety Grant Program at the Department of Education and Workforce (ODEW). The grant program will provide $10 million in competitive grants to eligible applicants for the repair, replacement or addition of authorized school bus safety features to school buses in active service or for safety enhancements added to the purchase of…
Property Tax Reform Workgroup releases recommendations
On Tuesday, Gov. Mike DeWine’s Property Tax Reform Workgroup released its recommendations for property tax reform. Recommendations of critical interest to education advocates include:
