COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio lawmakers concluded a lengthy session on Wednesday night, passing more than 50 bills that spanned diverse issues alongside the critical $4.2 billion budget. Here’s a breakdown of a few key measures:
Addressing School Safety, House Bill 47, prompted by the Damar Hamlin incident, mandates automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in public schools and athletic facilities.
In Traffic Safety, House Bill 56 targets reckless driving by outlawing “hooning” and toughening penalties for fleeing police.
Senate Bill 214 offers relief to human trafficking survivors by enabling them to expunge certain criminal records, marking a significant Justice Reform measure.
Originally tackling fraudulent business filings, Senate Bill 98 evolved into an extension of tax breaks and a new system for sequentially numbering state ballot issues, starting with Issue 500 this November.
Senate Bill 94, initially focused on updating county recorder records, now incorporates elements of the bipartisan CAMPUS Act, aimed at enhancing security at public colleges.
A contentious proposal, House Bill 79 passed the House narrowly (50-45) and permits electric utilities to establish voluntary programs encouraging reduced energy consumption by consumers.
With these legislative victories and the passage of the budget, Ohio lawmakers adjourn for their summer recess.