Facts in a Flash

State Board of Education
The Ohio Department of Education (ODE) released information and a timeline for the transition of roles and responsibilities from ODE to the Department of Education and Workforce (DEW). The State Board of Education (SBOE) and ODE has developed a transition plan. DEW is to be a cabinet level agency with a director who is appointed by the Governor. The SBOE will still exist and retain some responsibilities which includes finding and confirming a new superintendent of public instruction, however with different responsibilities. An article from ODE containing…

New Legislation
Senate Bill (SB) 134, sponsored by Sen. Frank Hoagland (R-Mingo Junction), extends the homestead property tax exemption to certain disabled veterans.

SB 136, sponsored by Sen. Hearcel F. Craig (D-Columbus), reduces property taxes on qualifying owner-occupied homes and names this act the Property Tax Relief and Local Government Support Act.

Budget Analysis and Discussion Seminar
Remember to…

New Legislation
House Bill 240, sponsored by Rep. Reggie Stoltzfus (R-Paris Township), permits public schools to employ chaplains to provide support services.

State Board of Education
The State Board of Education (SBOE) discussed how the budget will impact public education here in Ohio, including the changes to the SBOE’s power and duties with the creation of the Department of Education and Workforce (DEW). The board will…

Budget activity
Gov. Mike DeWine signed House Bill (HB) 33 into law on July 4, 2023. The bill makes operating appropriations for the fiscal years (FY) 2024 and 2025. Some notable budget items are as follows:

The biennium budget continues to roll out the Fair School Funding Plan by using the FY2022 data for base cost inputs; increases the minimum state share percentage; maintains the capacity calculation as designed; and includes the comprehensive economically disadvantaged cost study…

Budget Update
The deadline for voting on the state’s biennial budget, House Bill (HB) 33, without introducing an extension is June 30, 2023. The conference committee has ironed out many of its initial differences, but some remain. The committee plans for a vote soon with hopes of avoiding a lengthy extension. The conference committee is scheduled to meet at 11a.m. on June 30, 2023, with House and Senate sessions planned for the afternoon. Once the budget is agreed upon by the House and Senate it will…

Budget Update
The House voted 23-71 not to concur with the Senate’s changes to House Bill (HB) 33, the fiscal year (FY) 2024-25 budget bill.

The differences between the House and Senate versions of the budget will now be reconciled in conference committee. 

The HB 33 conferees include:

• From the Ohio House of Representatives:
  • Rep. Jay Edwards (R-Nelsonville), chair, House Finance Committee; email: …

Budget Update
The Senate Finance Committee accepted the omnibus amendment for House Bill (HB) 33, the biennial budget for fiscal years 2024 and 2025. Following its passage out of committee, HB 33 was sent to the Senate floor for a vote on Thursday, June 15th. The bill passed 24-7 and is now on its way back to the House. The House is scheduled to meet Wednesday, June 21, at 2 p.m., when it’s expected to vote not to…

Senate Activity
The Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill (SB) 44, sponsored by Sen. Andrew O. Brenner (R-Powell). The bill would require a state occupational licensing agency to accept electronic license applications.

Senate Finance
The committee accepted a substitute version of …

Senate Activity
The Senate is preparing to drop its version of House Bill (HB) 33 on June 6, 2023. Please continue reaching out to your legislators as we advocate for a full phase in of the Fair School Funding Plan and to keep the House’s updates to the base cost inputs with FY 2022 data in the bill.

Senate Finance
The committee held its seventh hearing on…

Senate Education
The committee heard sponsor testimony on Senate Bill (SB) 112, sponsored by Sen. Michael A. Rulli (R-Salem), which requires school buildings to comply with national life safety standards and names this act the Ohio Childhood Safety Act.

The committee also heard sponsor testimony on SB 99, sponsored by Sen. Catherine D.…