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 instruction. This bill will become effective law 90 days after being signed on January 18, 2026.
The chamber passed Senate Bill (SB) 156, sponsored by Sen. Al Cutrona (R-Canfield), with a vote of 24-9. This bill would require school districts to provide “success sequence” instruction in at least one course required for high school graduation. The bill now goes to the House for consideration.
The House passed HB 186, sponsored by Reps. James M. Hoops (R-Napoleon) and David Thomas (R-Jefferson), with a vote of 72-23. HB 186 would cap tax growth for districts on the 20-mill floor to inflation and includes a retroactive tax credit. The bill was amended by the House Ways and Means Committee earlier in the week to provide $465 million from the sales tax holiday fund to keep school districts whole from tax credit losses. ODEW will provide payments to impacted districts in August 2026 and August 2027. HB 186 also received a hearing from the House Finance Committee before going to the House floor. The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration.
The chamber also passed HB 335, sponsored by Rep. Thomas, with a vote of 71-24. This bill would cap the inflationary growth on all inside millage beginning in tax year 2026. The bill was amended by the House Ways and Means Committee earlier in the week to:
- Exclude revenue attributable to new improvements or the expiration of tax reductions from the bill’s growth limit.
- Authorize a school district to reduce the rate of inside millage levies to account for revenue from a new or increased school district income tax. The amendment requires a school district seeking to increase the rate so reduced to have the increase approved by the county budget commission before it can take effect.
The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration.
The committee held its fourth hearing on SB 144, sponsored by Senator Catherine D. Ingram (D-Cincinnati), and favorably reported it out of committee. This bill reverts the educator licensure grade bands to the bands utilized before House Bill (HB) 33 of the 135th General Assembly – grades pre-K through 5, grades 4 through 8, and grades 7 through 12. It also permits school districts to employ individuals who have at least one year of experience as a licensed classroom teacher to teach outside of the designated band.
The committee held its fourth hearing on SB 19, sponsored by Sen. Andrew Brenner (R-Delaware). 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. The committee amended the bill to:
- Require the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (ODEW) to create a pilot professional development program, model policy, implementation guidelines and list of high-quality core curriculum and materials in evidence-based strategies for effective math instruction. The amendment requires districts to utilize the list of high-quality instruction materials and implementation guidelines from ODEW.
- Permit public schools to use Disadvantaged Pupil Impact Aid for professional development on evidence-based strategies for effective math instruction.
- Require schools to collect and the Department to report Education Management Information System (EMIS) data regarding K-12 math curriculum and instructional materials, instead of only K-8.
- Postpone the year of implementation of the bill from the 2025-26 school year to the 2026-27 school year.
The committee held its first hearing on HB 455 and heard sponsor testimony from Reps. Gayle Manning (R-North Ridgeville) and Adam Bird (R-New Richmond). This bill would make changes to the operation of public schools and the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce and eliminate obsolete provisions of education law. The committee accepted an amendment to remove provisions from the bill that would have revised the procedures for public schools’ parental notification of instruction with human sexuality content; services related to a student’s mental, emotional, or physical health or well-being; changes in a school’s ability to provide a safe and supportive learning environment and the provision of health care services to students.
The committee held their third hearing on HB 304 sponsored by Reps. Tom Young (R-Washington Township) and Melanie Miller (R-Ashland). This bill would permit students to use club sports or other athletic activities to fulfill the high school physical education requirement and require recess time for K-8 students. No witnesses were present to testify on the bill.
HB 415, sponsored by Reps. Juanita O. Brent (D-Cleveland) and Jamie Callender (R-Concord) had its third hearing. This bill would enact the Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair (CROWN) Act to prohibit discrimination by a public school against an individual based on hair texture and protective hair styles. No witnesses were present to testify on the bill.
The committee held its second hearing on HB 486, sponsored by Reps. Gary Click (R-Vickery) and Mike Dovilla (R-Berea). This bill would enact 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 Christianity on history and culture. The committee heard opponent testimony on the bill.
Senate Local Government Committee
The committee heard sponsor testimony on HB 129 from Rep. Thomas. This bill would include certain property tax levies in the calculation of a school district's effective millage floor.
The committee also heard sponsor testimony on HB 309 from Rep. Thomas. 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.
The committee held its second hearing on HB 124, sponsored by Reps. Thomas and Thomas Hall (R-Madison Township). HB 124 would modify the process for property tax sales-assessment ratio studies. The committee heard proponent testimony on the bill.
The committee held a series of first hearings on multiple bills, including SB 93, with sponsor testimony provided by Sen. Brenner. This bill in its current form declares the General Assembly's intent to establish a new school financing system. Sen. Brenner explained the details of his new school funding proposal, which will be adopted in a substitute bill in the coming weeks. The pending subbill:
- Would allow the state to collect a 20-mill property tax and increase the state sales tax by 1.75 percent, both of which would directly fund education. Lottery and sports gaming profits would continue to provide supplemental school funding.
- School districts would no longer be able to levy local income or sales taxes. Local governments would also be prohibited from using any of their ten inside mills for school funding.
- Instead of each district having its own unique per pupil figure, there would be a single statewide average. The proposed amount is $11,535 per student. Categorical funding would still be added to the per pupil amount as determined by the student’s needs.
- Per pupil funding will follow the student to public and public nonchartered schools, eliminating the EdChoice Scholarship program.
- The responsibility for transporting students would shift from individual districts to regional Educational Service Centers.
The committee also heard sponsor testimony on SB 105 from Sen. Michele Reynolds (R-Canal Winchester). This bill would enact Alyssa's Law and require public and chartered nonpublic schools to implement a wearable panic alert system, appropriating $25 million to support the purchase of such alarm systems.
SB 255 received a first hearing, with sponsor testimony provided by Sen. Reynolds and Hearcel Craig (D-Columbus). This bill would provide grants to qualifying applicants for mortgage, property tax and utility bill assistance.
House Workforce and Higher Education Committee
The committee heard an informative presentation from DEW Director Stephen Dackin on foster youth in the Ohio K-12 education system.
The committee held its second hearing on HB 172, sponsored by Rep. Jonathan Newman (R-Troy). This bill would prohibit the provision of mental health services to minors without parental consent. The committee heard proponent testimony on the bill, including from Robert O'Leary, superintendent, Vandalia-Butler City Schools.
The committee also held a second hearing on HB 462, sponsored by Rep. Tracy Richardson (R-Marysville). This bill would permit the student use of a nasal epinephrine delivery device. The committee heard proponent testimony on the bill.
House Public Insurance and Pensions Committee
The committee held its second hearing on HB 473 sponsored by Rep. Thomas. This bill would prohibit a public employer from paying employee contributions to a state retirement system. The committee heard proponent testimony on the bill.
The Ohio Redistricting Commission met for the first time this week on Ohio’s congressional maps. The commission is comprised of Gov. DeWine, State Auditor Keith Faber, Secretary of State Frank LaRose, Sen. Nickie Antonio (D-Lakewood), Sen. Jane Timken (R-Canton), Rep. Dani Isaacsohn (D-Cincinnati) and Rep. Brian Stewart (R-Ashville).
The commission heard sponsor testimony on HB 442 and SB 259, identical bills which include the Democratic lawmakers’ proposed congressional map.
Recently introduced bills
- Senate Joint Resolution (SJR) 7 – Sponsored by Sen. Louis W. Blessing III (R-Colerain Township), this resolution proposes amending the Constitution of the State of Ohio to authorize land value taxes.
- HB 531 – Sponsored by Reps. Newman and Kevin Ritter (R-Marietta), this bill would enact the School Chaplain Act to permit public schools to engage volunteer chaplains to provide support services.
- HB 545 – Sponsored by Reps. Phil Robinson (D-Solon) and Desiree Tims (D-Dayton), this “School Busing Improvement Act” would make an appropriation and changes regarding the transportation of students.
Rules activity
ODEW does not have any rules open for public comment at this time.
The State Board of Education has the following rule open for public comment:
- Chapter 3302-89-02 and 3302-89-03: Requests for Territory Transfer
- Proposed changes to OAC 3302-89-02 and 3302-89-03 are in the interest of efficiency and clarity regarding the territory transfer processes under Ohio Revised Code sections 3311.06 and 3311.24. Changes include replacing the “25 Questions Form” with the opportunity for each school district and petitioner to submit position statements, directing the State Board of Education to submit the most recent report cards and five year-forecasts as evidence for proceedings and specifying the evidence the Board will review if no hearing is requested.
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.
Because of the many changes happening at the federal level, COSSBA is hosting a free virtual webinar for state school boards associations and their members:
At a Crossroads: The Federal Budget, Education Funding and the Future of the U.S. Department of Education Webinar. Thursday, November 6, at 2:00 p.m.
Gain insights on how recent actions at the U.S. Department of Education could impact your district and learn what to expect moving forward.
Please use this link to register: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/pxmYsFpeRGaeNznJYsz26A