Statehouse Journal

Friday, May 4

Administration Unveils Plan To Consolidate ODMH And ODADAS

The Kasich Administration announced efforts Friday to combine two cabinet-level agencies on mental health and addiction services into one department.

The Department of Mental Health and the Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services will start consolidating their "back office" functions over the next year and will ask the General Assembly to create a new combined agency in July 2013, the administration announced.

ODADAS spokeswoman Stacey Frohnapfel-Hasson said the administration plans to include the proposal in the biennial budget bill to be introduced next spring.

State Revenues Surge Again In April, Now $350 Million Ahead Of Estimates

Strong personal income tax receipts during the key month of April pushed state coffers further into the black with two months remaining in the fiscal year, as total tax receipts now stand at about $350 million more than analysts expected when generating estimates a year ago.

While Gov. John Kasich's administration has being doing its best to temper enthusiasm over the state's budget picture and the potential for increased program spending in the near term, the ongoing revenue surge is sure to keep stakeholders energized in their push to convince the apparently more receptive General Assembly to mitigate past spending cuts.

Tax receipts in April totaled $2.15 billion, with PIT receipts accounting for nearly $1.3 billion, according to Office of Budget and Management preliminary revenue figures. The tax collections were $84.4 million, or 4.1%, higher than estimates generated for the current two-year state operations budget (HB 153 ).

Churches Join Fray Over Early Voting; Elections Repeal Negotiations Ongoing

Church leaders joined the group seeking to overturn a controversial GOP-passed election law Friday in asking Republicans to restore the final three days of early in-person voting.

Meanwhile, negotiations are continuing between the petition committee and legislative leaders over a possi- ble deal where petitioners and Democrats withdraw their referendum from the November ballot if Republi- cans agree to allow the final three days of early voting before Election Day to proceed.

Last week during session, House Republicans suddenly called off action on a bill to legislatively repeal last year's election law (HB 194 ) to allow time for negotiations. Democrats say the majority's repeal measure (SB 295 ) would leave intact a provision shortening the early voting period, a key target of their referendum effort.

While House Republicans are discussing the issue, Senate President Tom Niehaus (R-New Richmond) said Thursday he was not involved in the negotiations and believed the early voting period was a separate issue, since it was included in legislation (HB 224 ) passed after House Bill 194

GONGWER NEWS SERVICE STATEHOUSE JOURNAL

Southwest Ohio Chosen For Federal Initiative That Pays For Proactive Primary Care

Up to 75 medical practices in the Cincinnati and Dayton area will revamp their delivery of primary care with the support of $15 million per year in federal funds, the Cincinnati-based Health Collaborative said Friday.

The federal Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation has chosen the Cincinnati-Dayton area as one of seven regions to participate in a trial program over four years. The Comprehensive Primary Care initiative aims to foster collaboration among public and private health care players to strengthen primary care, according to CMMI.

"Greater Cincinnati and Dayton was selected because our commercial insurance plans were able to point to collaborative efforts by a variety of stakeholders already underway to support comprehensive primary care using the

Patient-Centered Medical Home mode as well as integrated technology, outcome measurement systems, and support for payment models that reward healthier patient outcomes," Collaborative Executive Director Greg Ebel said in a release.

Other Headlines

Task Force Meets To Discuss Funding, Efficiencies For State Court System

Capitol Scene: Mecum Named Director of OACCA

From Congress: Kucinich Calls Unemployment Rate Decrease Sign Of Weak Recovery; Fudge; Brown; Turner

Court Briefs: Schlichter Sentenced To 10 Years; 250 Pass Bar; Juvenile Court Courses Created; OSBA President Elected; Trial Management Seminar Held …

Ohio Business: AEP Tries To Intervene In FirstEnergy Plan; Macy's Sales Up; Cedar Fair Revenues Increase; Cardinal Health Income Rises …

Agency Briefs: AG Announces Demolition Grant Guidelines; JobsOhio Discusses Commitments; Fraud Database Launches

Monday, May 7

Controlling Board Approves Funding For OARnet Expansion

The Controlling Board on Monday approved $3.1 million to fund an expansion and enhanced speed for the Ohio Academic Resource Network, effectively adding two more hubs for the broadband system.

Gov. John Kasich announced during his State of the State address that the OARnet broadband for higher education institutions would be strengthened from 10 gigabits per second to 100 gbps. (See Gongwer Ohio Report, February 7, 2012)

The uncontested Controlling Board action allows for Portsmouth and Wooster to join Akron, Athens and Youngsown as hubs under Phase II of the development that the state has described as helping to advance research and job growth across Ohio's medical research, higher education, manufacturing, engineering and technology networking corridors.

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"This is the new gold standard for technology and information sharing, and we want to ensure that the en- tire state benefits from its potential," Gov. Kasich said in a release. "Portsmouth is a gateway to Southeast- ern Ohio, and Wooster serves as an important agricultural stronghold as home to The Ohio State Univer- sity's Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center and Agricultural Technical Institute. Both cities are natural selections from a geographic and economic standpoint."

Oil And Gas Well Construction Rules Clear Final Hurdle

Long awaited regulations on oil and gas well construction cleared a legislative panel Monday despite linger- ing concerns from some environmental groups.

The Department of Natural Resources rules that withstood consideration by the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review were years in the making and stem from a major overhaul of oil and gas regulations the passed the legislature last session (SB165, 128th General Assembly).

ODNR spokeswoman Heidi Hetzel-Evans said the rules would ensure oil and gas operators follow certain practices to ensure the safety of nearby residents and the environment.

Administration Unveils New Prescription Guidelines For Opioids; Kasich Calls Stan- dards ‘Huge Step'

Gov. John Kasich on Monday heralded a new set of statewide guidelines to prescribe painkillers, saying the development was a major advancement in Ohio's efforts to address its increasing opioid problem.

While not meant to replace individual clinical advice, the Opioids and Other Controlled Substances (OOCS) guidelines provide a general approach for emergency departments and acute care facilities, according to the administration.

"This is a really big deal to be able to get the emergency rooms to agree that they're going to enter a protocol so that we're not going to allow people to go in there, get these prescriptions and be able to sell them," Mr. Kasich said in a release. "This is a huge step, and I can't tell you how happy I am that the urgent care people raised their hands and said, 'We want to be a part of it'."

The governor's Cabinet Opiate Action Team developed the guidelines over the last several months, Mr. Kasich's office reported. The administration has taken aim at the problem given some troubling trends.

Schools, Businesses, Competitors, OCC Push Back On AEP Rate Case

Businesses, schools, competitors and consumers generated a wave of opposition to American Electric Power Ohio's rate plan as the groups recently filed testimony intervening in the case.

Many of the witnesses asked the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio to reject AEP's proposed rate plan, which would hike rates by an average 5% rate across all customer classes starting in June, with smaller additional increases in 2013 and 2014. (See Gongwer Ohio Report, March 30, 2012)

AEP says the rate plan would mitigate rate increases that were authorized in the original electric security plan (ESP) and ensure a fast and orderly transition to the competitive market, while offering investors some measure of financial stability. (See Gongwer Ohio Report, March 30, 2012)

Certain charges that AEP's competitors pay would gradually decrease each year until that transition, which would occur more quickly than a market rate option, according to the utility. Proposed capacity costs, which are charged to competitive retail providers to use AEP's lines to sell electricity to their customers, are higher than the current market rate, but the company says it's still a discount from its own costs.

Seitz Says He's Not Fretting Corporate Sponsors' Flight From ALEC

American Legislative Exchange Council board member Sen. Bill Seitz said recent corporate defections from the conservative policy organization were more of a "bump in the road" than a reason to lose sleep for Ohio's dozens of ALEC members.

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In recent weeks, several major corporations have disaffiliated themselves with ALEC after progressive groups stepped up criticism that the think tank pushed for "stand your ground" legislation in Florida that hindered the prosecution of Trayvon Martin's alleged killer. (See Gongwer Ohio Report, April 18, 2012)

Procter & Gamble, Wendy's, Coca Cola, Pepsi, Kraft, Yum! Brands, and McDonald's are among several major corporate sponsors that have cut ties with the group, according to the Center for Media and Democracy's ALEC Exposed, which has led a national opposition campaign.

Supreme Court To Consider Extent Of County Prosecutor's Plea Deal Authority, Other Cases

The Ohio Supreme Court on Tuesday will hear arguments as to whether counties are barred from prosecut- ing a criminal defendant if the crimes were generally covered under a plea agreement in another jurisdiction.

The court will take up oral arguments in the case of Desmond Billingsley, who was indicted in Summit County for a string of business robberies around Akron.

The Summit County prosecutor's office and the defendant entered into a plea bargain under which the state agreed to a sentence of eight years in prison in exchange for a guilty plea to two counts of aggravated rob- bery with a firearm specification and full cooperation with police in disclosing other robberies he and his co- defendants had committed in Summit and surrounding counties, the Supreme Court said.

The county prosecutor stated for the record that she had been in touch with officials in Stark and Portage counties who had agreed to either not prosecute Mr. Billingsley for any crimes he admitted to committing in those counties or, if he had already been charged in those counties, impose prison time to be served concur- rently with the Summit County sentence, according to the Supreme Court.

Other Headlines

Agency Briefs: Major Settlements With Abbott Announced; Plea Noted In Medicaid Fraud Case; Abandoned Clothes Clear Rhodes

Politics Notebook: Student Loan Interest Rate At Issue; ACLU Calls For Early Voting With HB194 Repeal; ODP Blasts Yost Bin Laden Comment

Education Notes: Taxpayers Look To Repeal School Levy; Event Focuses On Adult De- gree Completion; Charter Schools Honored; Time Warner Offers Scholarships

Tuesday, May 8

House GOP Pushes Through Election Bill Repeal; Democrats Say Referendum Rights Trampled

In what could be a precursor to the next partisan court battle in Ohio, the House on Tuesday passed a repeal of controversial election law changes already subject to a fall referendum.

Because it wasn't amended in the House, the repeal measure (SB 295 ) is now on its way to the desk of Gov. John Kasich, who previously stated his support for repealing HB 194 and removing the referendum of that measure from the fall ballot.

Continuing a debate from last week, which was suspended to provide time for the referendum committee to work on a compromise with majority Republicans, the House took up the bill and eventually passed it on a 54-42 vote that fell mostly along party lines. Republican Reps. Jim Butler of Oakwood, Jarrod Martin of Beavercreek and Kristina Roegner of Hudson joined all Democrats in opposition.

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Senate Committee Approves Education MBR With Changes; Kasich Concerned With Reading Guarantee Alterations

Gov. John Kasich on Tuesday said he is "troubled" by the version of his education mid-biennium review bill approved by a Senate panel and its impact on the proposed third-grade reading guarantee.

The Senate Education Committee voted unanimously to report the bill (SB 316 ) after accepting an omnibus amendment that changed the timeframe and eased off on some aspects of the proposal that would require students be proficient readers before entering fourth grade.

Changes to that portion of the bill will delay until 2013-14 the requirement that third graders be retained, in effect giving unsuccessful readers in the 2012-13 class of students a pass onto fourth grade.

Committee Removes Charity Card Game Language From Gambling Bill Before Report- ing Measure

Language permitting county commissioners to establish charity card rooms was removed Tuesday as one of several changes to an omnibus gambling bill before it was reported out of a Senate committee.

The legislation (HB 386 ) got additional amendments, including tweaks dealing with problem-gambling funding, law-enforcement training and other issues. Reporting of the bill by the Senate Government Over- sight & Reform Committee came on a day in which panel members also heard sponsor testimony on legislation that would regulate sweepstakes parlors in Ohio (SB 317 ).

All language dealing with charity card rooms, including provisions dealing with paid dealers and other provisions added in the House, would be removed from the legislation and dealt with in a future measure, Committee Chairman Sen. William Coley (R-Middletown) said.

The chairman previously said that the charity card room language would allow policymakers to limit prolif- eration of an unregulated segment of gambling while allowing county commissioners the ability to authorize one card room per county.

Senate Starts Bipartisan Push For Pension Overhaul

The Senate kicked off a high-stakes push to overhaul pension benefits for public employees on Tuesday, starting the drive with a show of bipartisan support for the changes.

Senate President Tom Niehaus (R-New Richmond) and Senate Minority Leader Eric Kearney (D-Cincinnati) both signaled support for enacting a mixture of pension law changes requested by the boards of four of the state's five public employee retirement systems.

The board plans - which combine increases in retirement age, contributions and eligibility adjustments - have been under consideration at the Ohio Retirement Study Council, and in the legislature, for several months.

Sen. Niehaus said the time is now for lawmakers to act, adding that pension system leaders have "very diffi- cult choices" that have drawn the backing of key stakeholder groups. "It's time we put things back on the right track."

Cleveland Plan's Levy To Share Tax Dollars With Charters Causing ‘Angst'

Sen. Nina Turner (D-Cleveland) on Tuesday said she was "calling out" teachers union members for their ac- tions to urge dissent on a portion of the Cleveland Plan that would allow levy revenue to be shared with charter schools.

The plan (SB 335 ), which was presented with the support of the Cleveland Teachers Union, contains language that would allow the Cleveland Municipal school district board to submit to voters a ballot issue for a levy that would fund not only the district schools but partner charter schools.

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Sen. Turner repeatedly referenced during a Senate Education Committee hearing an internal email from Ohio Federation of Teachers President Melissa Cropper that calls for members to tell their lawmakers to oppose the shared levy provision that would send money to "privately operated" charter schools.

Ms. Turner called the contents "blasphemous" and said, "Everything in here is a lie, as far as I'm concerned."

Anglers, Environmentalists Try To Sink Great Lakes Bill; Administration On Board

Sport fishermen and hunters joined environmentalists Tuesday in asking senators to cut bait on a Great Lakes bill that appears set to flow through the legislature with support from the administration.

The Senate Agriculture, Environment & Natural Resources Committee heard testimony from more than a dozen witnesses both for and against the measure (HB 473 ), which is designed to regulate industrial water use in the Lake Erie Basin, a requirement of Ohio's participation in the Great Lakes Compact.

Gov. John Kasich vetoed the original proposal (HB 231 ) out of concern that it would allow major water withdrawals that could negatively impact the lake and its tributaries. While several opponents described the second version as only a minor improvement, administration officials told senators that the revisions adequately address the governor's concerns.

Ohio Department of Natural Resources Director Jim Zehringer testified in support of the proposal, which he described as a product of discussions among a broad swath of stakeholders.

Exotic Animals Bill Draws Strong Reactions From Both Sides In Hearing

A bill regulating ownership of a host of wild animals including lions, bears, tigers and others drew strong sentiment on Tuesday from stakeholders on both sides of the issue.

The bill (SB 310 ) received its second hearing in the House Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee. The measure was introduced months after a Zanesville man in October released dozens of exotic animals, including bears, wolves and a variety of big cats, from his private menagerie before committing suicide. The event brought international attention as law enforcement officers killed most of the animals.

The committee also has hearings on the bill scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday

House Gets Look Into Complexities Of Local Tax Levy Calculations For Schools

Preparing for future work toward establishing a new funding formula, House members on Tuesday were treated to a look at how local levy taxes are calculated.

The House Finance & Appropriations Committee finished its three-part series of presentations from Educa- tion First consultant Paolo DeMaria on the state's school funding system with an overview of local taxes and issues for consideration in drafting a new plan.

Property taxes are subjected to a reduction factor that establishes a levy will not produce more revenue an- nually for the district than it did when it first passed, not including new construction, which results in the mill value reducing over time, Mr. DeMaria said.

A 20-mill floor prevents income from falling below that number of millage, and districts that operate at that floor can actually see revenues grow.

Other Headlines

Former Treasurer Boyce Selected To Fill House Vacancy

Supreme Court Clarifies Sex Offender Registration, Administrative Agency Appeal Process

Capitol Scene: Liberty Council Changes Name; OHCA Elects President

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Wednesday, May 9

Senate Sends Education MBR To House; Gambling Bill Set For Conference Committee

A bipartisan majority of the Senate on Wednesday approved bills that would modify the state's gambling laws and implement the governor's education mid-biennium review.

With few "no" votes and no vocalized dissent, the fast-tracked measures moved through the chamber with no debate.

On a vote of 30-2, the Senate sent the package of changes to the state's education laws (SB 316 ) to the House with Sen. Lou Gentile (D-Steubenville) and Sen. Eric Kearney (D-Cincinnati) dissenting.

The legislation covers a range of issues, including state-funded child care programs, workforce policy and, most controversially, changes to the state report card and the implementation of a third-grade reading guarantee.

House Passes Drug Tracking, Movie Tax Credit Measures; Boyce Seated

Ohio pharmacy businesses and the attorney general's office would tie into a national exchange for tracking the sale of cold medicines used in the illicit production of methamphetamine under legislation that cleared the House Wednesday.

The chamber also took action on five other measures including a bill to expand the moviemaking tax credit program (HB 521 ), and rejected Senate amendments to an omnibus gambling law update that passed the Senate earlier in the day (HB 386 ; See separate story).

The bill on tracking over-the-counter sales of pseudoephedrine and ephedrine products was hailed by sponsor Rep. Terry Johnson (R-McDermott) as "another step toward fighting the drug problem" facing the state.

The measure, starting on Jan. 1, 2013, would require retailers and terminal distributors of the drugs to participate in the electronic National Precursor Log Exchange, according to the Legislative Service Commission analysis. It also sets the stage for the attorney general to enter into a contract regarding access to the exchange and imposes daily limits on the amount of pseudoephedrine and ephedrine products that an individual may purchase or receive without a prescription.

Top Officials Give Input On MBR; Prisons Chief Says Patrol's Private Prison Purview Warranted Based On Recent Threats

The State Highway Patrol's ability to investigate incidents at state prisons helped to staunch a recent threat involving Ohio's corrections chief, and the extension of that authority to privately operated facilities should remain in the mid-biennium review budget measure, lawmakers were told Wednesday.

Department of Rehabilitation and Correction Director Gary Mohr, who delivered what he called a "personal" message to the Senate Finance Committee, was among several top state officials to address the panel on various aspects of the multi-faceted budget measure that retains a good portion of Gov. John Kasich's MBR package (HB 487 ).

Also weighing in on the bill, one of several the legislature divvied up to process the governor's ambitious MBR aims, were Attorney General Mike DeWine, State Auditor Dave Yost, Public Utilities Commission of Ohio Chairman Todd Snitchler and Department of Mental Health Director Tracy Plouck. Several other witnesses also testified. (See Senate Activity Report)

Mr. Mohr testified specifically to a somewhat contentious provision that would serve to clarify that the Pa- trol has jurisdiction not only over state-run facilities but also privately operated prisons that house Ohio in- mates. The language has attracted opposition from the Fraternal Order of Police of Ohio, which decried it as an "unprecedented expansion" of the Patrol's statutory authority.

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Interest Groups Offer Support For Pension Bills

Organizations representing public employees and retirees appeared before a Senate panel Wednesday to give their blessing to a series of fast-track bills that make various changes in the benefit structures of four of the state's five public employee retirement systems.

While occasionally expressing some reservations about the plans, witnesses before the Senate Insurance, Commerce & Labor Committee generally acknowledged that the adjustments must to be made to put the systems on the path to a more stable financial future.

Mark Drum of the Fraternal Order of Police of Ohio testified in support of changes involving the Ohio Police & Fire Pension Fund (SB 340 ) and offered conditional backing to a measure impacting the Ohio Public Em- ployees Retirement System (SB 343 ).

Other Headlines

House Hears Bill To Reinstate ‘Noe Amendment' For Coin Dealers

Retirement Panel Balks At Disability Rates, Looks For Changes In Operating Practices

Penn National's Toledo Casino Gets Approval For Operator License

Voters Back Governor's Fracking Tax Plan, Still Have Reservations On Kasich

Politics Notebook: New Conservative Watchdog Says Unions Behind Anti-SB5 Effort; Anti-HB194 Group Considers Next Step; Niehaus Confused By Heartbeat Bill Support Tactics

Thursday, May 10

Workforce Training Bill Would Shift Funding Oversight From ODJFS Director To Busi- ness-Oriented State Board

The House began hearings Thursday on Gov. John Kasich's plan to shake up Ohio's workforce development system, with a key component aimed increasing business interest influence over disbursements of training funds and related policy decisions.

Proposed revisions to the State Workforce Policy Board (HB 539 ) were among four employee training- related measures heard for the first time by the House Economic & Small Business Development Commit- tee. (See House Activity Report)

The key sponsors of the workforce board measure, Rep. Tim Derickson (R-Oxford) and Rep. Andy Thompson (R-Marietta) said the bill has the "strong support" of impacted state agencies and is in line with an executive order the governor issued on the subject. The bill changes the composition and increases the responsibilities of the board and updates the state's "One-Stop" workforce development system.

Muskingum County Sheriff Rehashes Zanesville Animal Incident, Discusses Regulatory Bill

Inventory lists and other measures could be important steps toward protecting the public against future incidents involving exotic animal escapes, Muskingum County Sheriff Matt Lutz said Thursday.

Mr. Lutz gave testimony to the House Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee in which he recounted details of the response and conditions faced by local authorities in October when Zanesville resident Terry Thompson released dozens of creatures, including bears and big cats, from his private menagerie before committing suicide.

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His testimony came as the panel considers passage of a bill to regulate ownership of a variety of exotic animals (SB 310 ). The measure would require owners to comply with permitting, care and confinement standards while prohibiting the future acquisition of applicable animals. Certain exemptions would apply for zoos, circuses, research facilities and sanctuaries.

Central State Land Grant Petition Supported By Once Rival OSU

After more than 120 years, the General Assembly is considering making Central State University a land- grant institution, positioning it to receive federal funding and increased opportunities for research, propo- nents said Thursday.

The Senate Finance Committee took up a resolution (SCR 30 ) that would designate the university as a land grant school, a distinction Ohio State University achieved in 1862 and one the historically black school failed to gain in 1891.

John Garland, president Central State University, said this is the second time the institution has petitioned for 1890 land grant status, which provides land grant funding to the nation's black public colleges that were not included in the first Morrill Act of 1862.

Supreme Court Denies Newspaper's Access To Police Officers' Personal Information

The Ohio Supreme Court on Thursday denied a newspaper's access to personnel files for police officers wounded in a 2010 gunfight with gang members.

The 7-0 decision affirms the appeal court's holding that the information sought by The Cincinnati Enquirer was shielded from disclosure because of the officers' constitutional right of privacy, which falls under an exemption to the Ohio Public Records Act.

The Enquirer had asserted the records it sought were not exempt from disclosure because the publication posed no threat to the safety of the wounded officers or their families, but the court rejected the claim.

Justices referred to a U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals decision from 1998 stemming from several police officers' suing of a city for disclosing their personal information to a lawyer representing gang members. The officers had testified against the gang members in a drug conspiracy case

Cleveland Casino Runs Controlled Demonstration; Ohio Roundtable Says Industry Broke Campaign Promises

Fresh off receiving its operator license last week, Rock Ohio Caesars' Horseshoe Casino Cleveland is holding a controlled demonstration for state regulators on Thursday night to demonstrate its readiness to open on May 14.

The invitation-only event is essentially a dry run in which staff members will demonstrate their training to Casino Control Commission members, according to Horseshoe Cleveland.

While the state will retain its 33% share of gross gaming revenue during the event, additional casino gambling proceeds will be donated to local nonprofits in the Cleveland area, Horseshoe Cleveland said. The Greater Cleveland United Way, the Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Institute and the Cuyahoga County Community College Foundation will receive funds through the event.

Although anticipated contributions to the organizations have not been projected, the charities could expect to share several thousand dollars, according to the casino, which is the first of four set to open in the state.

IG Report Questions Federal Stimulus Spending On Workforce Training

Inspector General Randall Meyer said Thursday the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services failed to adequately oversee spending of federal stimulus funds on a workforce development program in northwestern Ohio.

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Mr. Meyer said employees of local groups administering the Constructing Futures program in northwestern Ohio likely committed wrongful acts or omissions by improperly using grant funding to cover wages and benefits while performing unrelated duties and by failing to keep accurate records.

The IG sent a copy of the investigation to the state auditor and the U.S. Department of Labor, which over- sees federal stimulus funding for Workforce Investment Act programs.

The report focuses on American Recovery and Reinvestment Act workforce funding in northwestern Ohio from January 2010 through June 2011. The IG's office said it would release separate investigations covering the central and southwest regions in the future.

Other Headlines

OHFA Report Details Appalachia Housing Needs

Poll: Presidential Race Too Close To Call; Brown Lead Against Mandel Shrinks

Ohio Business: Report Says Cities Among Manufacturing Leaders; The Andersons Has Record Income; R.G. Barry Posts Strong Quarter…

New Legislation

House

HB 536 TAX EXEMPTIONS ( Gerberry, R. ) To allow a board of township trustees to reduce the percentage or term of a property tax exemption granted to a business under a tax incre- ment financing agreement if the business fails to create the number of new jobs the business agreed to create in the agreement. Am. 5709.73

HB 537 OIL GAS DRILLING ( Hagan, R. ) To authorize a political subdivision to enact and enforce health and safety standards for oil and gas drilling and exploration, and to revise the set- back requirements in the Oil and Gas Law. Am. 1509.02 and 1509.021 and to enact sec tion 1509.39

HB 538 LEARN TO EARN ( Landis, A. , DeVitis, T ) To prescribe the circumstances in which an individual who is injured or contracts an occupational disease in the course of and arising out of participation in a learn to earn program receives compensation under the Workers' Com- pensation Law or under Unemployment Compensation Law. Am. 4123.391

HB 539 WORKFORCE BOARD ( Derickson, T. , Thompson, A. ) To make changes to the composition and responsibilities of the State Workforce Policy Board and to the One-stop System of workforce development. Am. 6301.01, 6301.02, 6301.03, 6301.04, 6301.07, 6301.08, and 6301.10

HB 540 ENERGY JOBS ( Newbold, C. , Slaby, M. ) To authorize the Governor's Office of Workforce Transformation to create a web site to help link energy companies with trained workers. Am. 107.64

HB 541 APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM ( Hagan, C. , Sprague, R. ) To revise the law governing Ohio's registered apprenticeship program. Am. 4139.01, 4139.03, 4139.04, and 4139.05

HB 542 DEBT SETTLEMENT LICENSING ( Ruhl, M. ) To require the licensure of, and otherwise regulate, providers of debt settlement services. Am. & En. 4710.01 and 4710.20 to 4710.43.

HB 543 SUICIDE AWARENESS TRAINING ( Anielski, M. ) To enact the "Jason Flatt Act" to require public schools to train staff in youth suicide awareness and prevention. Am. & En. 3319.073.

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HB 544 LICENSE PLATE ( Szollosi, M. , Bubp, D. ) To create the "Combat Action Ribbon" license plate. Am. 4503.549

Senate

SB 340 OP&F BENEFITS ( Niehaus, T. , Kearney, E. ) To revise the law governing the Ohio Police and Fire Pension Fund. Am. 171.04, 742.01, 742.04, 742.10, 742.14, 742.16, 742.30, 742.301, 742.31, 742.32, 742.33, 742.34, 742.35, 742.37, 742.3711, 742.3716, 742.38, 742.39, 742.44, 742.442, 742.443, 742.444, 742.45, 742.63, and 742.64; to enact sections 742.012, 742.013, and 742.161; and to repeal section 742.011

SB 341 SERS BENEFITS ( Niehaus, T. , Kearney, E. ) To revise the law governing the School Em- ployees Retirement System. Am. 3309.05, 3309.051, 3309.061, 3309.07, 3309.072, 3309.074, 3309.075, 3309.10, 3309.15, 3309.21, 3309.22, 3309.23, 3309.26, 3309.28, 3309.33, 3309.34, 3309.341, 3309.343, 3309.35, 3309.353, 3309.354, 3309.36, 3309.362, 3309.371, 3309.373, 3309.376, 3309.379, 3309.3710, 3309.3711, 3309.39, 3309.401, 3309.41, 3309.44, 3309.45, 3309.46, 3309.47, 3309.50, 3309.51, 3309.69, and 3309.88; to enact new section 3309.571 and sections 3309.392 and 3309.474; and to repeal sections 3309.38 and 3309.571

SB 342 STRS BENEFITS ( Niehaus, T. , Kearney, E. ) To revise the law governing the State Teach- ers Retirement System. Am. 3305.06, 3307.01, 3307.031, 3307.04, 3307.14, 3307.142, 3307.20, 3307.214, 3307.25, 3307.251, 3307.252, 3307.26, 3307.28, 3307.33, 3307.35, 3307.351, 3307.352, 3307.371, 3307.39, 3307.391, 3307.42, 3307.46, 3307.47, 3307.50, 3307.501, 3307.51, 3307.512, 3307.52, 3307.53, 3307.56, 3307.561, 3307.562, 3307.563, 3307.57, 3307.58, 3307.59, 3307.60, 3307.62, 3307.63, 3307.631, 3307.64, 3307.66, 3307.661, 3307.67, 3307.671, 3307.694, 3307.71, 3307.711, 3307.712, 3307.72, 3307.73, 3307.74, 3307.75, 3307.751, 3307.752, 3307.76, 3307.761, 3307.763, 3307.764, 3307.77, 3307.771, 3307.78, 3307.79, 3307.80, 3307.81, 3307.811, 3307.812, 3307.83, 3307.84, 3307.86, 3307.87, 3307.89, 3307.98, and 3313.975; to amend, for the purpose of adopting new section numbers as indicated in parentheses, sections 3307.64 (3307.48) and 3307.70 (3307.701); to enact new section 3307.70 and section 3307.143; and to repeal sections 3307.54, 3307.61, 3307.741, 3307.88, 3307.881, and 3307.882

SB 343 PERS BENEFITS (Niehaus, T. , Kearney, E. ) To revise the law governing the Public Em- ployees Retirement System. Am. 101.92, 101.93, 145.01, 145.04, 145.041, 145.05, 145.057, 145.06, 145.09, 145.19, 145.191, 145.192, 145.193, 145.20, 145.201, 145.22, 145.23, 145.27, 145.28, 145.29, 145.291, 145.293, 145.294, 145.295, 145.297, 145.298, 145.299, 145.2911, 145.2912, 145.2913, 145.2914, 145.30, 145.301, 145.32, 145.323, 145.33, 145.331, 145.35, 145.36, 145.361, 145.362, 145.37, 145.38, 145.383, 145.384, 145.39, 145.40, 145.401, 145.41, 145.43, 145.45, 145.452, 145.46, 145.461, 145.462, 145.47, 145.473, 145.48, 145.483, 145.49, 145.51, 145.54, 145.56, 145.561, 145.563, 145.58, 145.62, 145.63, 145.64, 145.813, 145.814, 145.82, 145.83, 145.87, 145.92, 145.95, 145.97, 742.63, 2329.66, 2921.13, 3105.80, 3305.06, 3305.57, 33 09.312, 3309.35, and 3375.411; to amend, for the purpose of adopting new section numbers as indicated in parentheses, sections 145.29 (145.292) and 145.325 (145.584); to enact new sections 145.29 and 145.332 and sections 145.016, 145.017, 145.036, 145.037, 145.038, 145.101, 145.194, 145.195, 145.2915, 145.2916, 145.363, 145.431, 145.574, 2901.431, and 2929.194; and to repeal sections 145.02, 145.292, 145.321, 145.322, 145.324, 145.326, 145.327, 145.328, 145.329, 145.3210, 145.3211, 145.3212, 145.3213, 145.332, 145.34, 145.42, and 145.44

Page 11 GONGWER NEWS SERVICE STATEHOUSE JOURNAL

Next Week At A Glance

The lights will be on late again at the Statehouse as lawmakers move closer to a summer recess.

Members will be focusing on a handful of mid-biennium review bills. Also set for expected action are bills cracking down on ownership of exotic animals, limiting public employee pension benefits, a Cleveland schools revamp plan and much more.

Produced by Gongwer News Service, Inc. For more detailed information about state government news and operations, contact Gongwer or get a trial subscription at www.gongwer-oh.com

© 2012, Gongwer News Service, Inc. Reproduction of this publication in whole or in part without the express permission of the publisher is in violation of the federal Copyright Law (17 USC 101 et seq.) as is retransmission by facsimile or any other electronic means, including electronic mail.

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