Ohio Government Digest with The Constitution of the State of Ohio prepared for Buckeye Boys State 2021 Produced and published by The Americn Legion Department of Ohio 60 Big Run Road Delaware, OH 43015 www.OhioBuckeyeBoysState.com Library of Congress Card Number 56-63093 Agnes S. Merritt Copyrighted by Buckeye Girls State American Legion Auxiliary, Department of Ohio P.O. Box 2760, Zanesville, Ohio 43702-2760 www.bgs.ashland.edu 2021 Buckeye Boys State Blue Book 2 Ohio Government Digest with The Constitution of the State of Ohio OFFICIAL OHIO FLAG OFFICIAL GREAT SEAL OF THE STATE OF OHIO “With God, All Things Are Possible” STATE OF OHIO MOTTO March 1 – Ohio Statehood Day INSECT – Lady Bug BIRD – Cardinal ROCK SONG – Hang On Sloopy FLOWER – Scarlet Carnation FOSSIL – Isotelus TREE – Buckeye WILD FLOWER – Trillium GEM STONE – Ohio Flint Grandflorium BEVERAGE – Tomato Juice APPLE – Melrose OFFICIAL SONG – Beautiful Ohio ANIMAL – White Tailed Deer 2021 Buckeye Boys State Blue Book 3 The Preamble to the Constitution of the American Legion “For God and Country We associate ourselves together For the following purposes: To uphold and defend the constitution of the United State of America; To maintain law and order; To foster and perpetuate A One hundred percent Americanism; To preserve the memories and incidents Of our association during the Great Wars; To inculcate a sense of individual obligation To the community, state and nation; To combat the autocracy Of both the classes and the masses; To make right the master of might; To promote peace and good will on earth; To safeguard and transmit to posterity The principles of Justice, Freedom, and Democracy; To consecrate and sanctify our association By our devotion to mutual helpfulness.” 2021 Buckeye Boys State Blue Book 4 ACKNOWLEDGMENT Sincere thanks is expressed to The American Legion Department of Ohio and to the Buckeye Boys State Board of Trustees for their courtesy and generosity in allowing the use of “The Ohio Government in Brief” as the basis for the original issue of the “Ohio Government Digest.” February 29, 1948 Revised February 28, 1950 (Mrs. Lester M.) Agnes S. Merritt Revised January 12, 1952 Revised January 31, 1954 Revised January 31, 1956 Revised January 1, 1958 Supplement added January 1, 1960 Revised September 1, 1960 Revised January 1, 1962 Revised January 1, 1964 Revised January 1, 1966 Revised January 1, 1968 Revised January 1, 1970 modifications made January 1, 1972 Revised January 1, 1973 Revised January 1, 1975 Revised January 1, 1977 Revised January 1, 1979 Revised January 1, 1981 Revised January 1, 1982 Revised January 1, 1983 Revised January 1, 1985 modifications made January 1, 1987 Revised January 1, 1988 modifications made January 1, 1990 Revised February 1, 1994 modifications made February 1, 1995 Revised February 1, 1996 modifications made January 15, 1997 Revised January 15, 1998 modifications made January 25, 1999 Revised February 1, 2000 modifications made February 1, 2001 Revised February 1, 2002 modifications made February 13, 2003 Revised February 15, 2004 Revised February 10, 2006 Revised March 5, 2010 Revised March 25, 2012 Revised February 15, 2013 Revised March 29, 2014 Revised April 9, 2015 Revised April 18, 2016 Revised April 2, 2017 Revised April 5, 2018 Revised February 14, 2019 Revised April 4, 2020 Revised May 5, 2021 DEDICATION This revision of the “Ohio Government Digest” is dedicated to the memory of Agnes S. Merritt, a founder of Buckeye Girls’ State, who died on February 17, 1992. After her retirement from active participation in the Buckeye Girls’ State program, she continued, as the author, to up-date this reference book to ensure that current information about government in Ohio was available to the participants of both the American Legion Auxiliary Buckeye Girls’ State and the American Legion Buckeye Boys’ State. It is with this idea that we continue this legacy. – Croft S. Merritt, deceased 2021 Buckeye Boys State Blue Book 5 pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, I indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all. The American’s Creed TYLER PAGE (1917) “I believe in the United State of America as a government of the people, by the people, for the people; whose just powers are derived from the consent of the governed; a democracy in a republic; a sovereign nation of many sovereign states; a perfect union, one and inseparable; established upon those principles of freedom, equality, justice and humanity for which American patriots sacrificed their lives and fortunes. I therefore believe it is my duty to my country to love it; support its constitution; to obey its laws; to respect its flag, and to defend it against all enemies.” 2021 Buckeye Boys State Blue Book 6 Forward The American Legion of Ohio, spon- ough knowledge of the American just like learning to swim or play sor of this program, welcomes you system and keep informed on public a game: one can go through the as a citizen of Buckeye Boys State. affairs. motions tirelessly, but with “active learning” the results will be much Boys State is designed to give each This book contains greatly ab- more long lasting. of you a sense of your personal breviated outlines of the legally- role and obligation in our Commu- constituted offices and functions of Boys State is a long-standing nity, State and Nation. By gaining government in the State of Ohio, program of the national American knowledge of the practical mechan- County and City divisions. It is Legion. It was adopted by the Ohio ics of government - its composition; intended for use as preparatory American Legion in 1936. The organization; and how laws are review by each citizen prior to Ohio Program was one of the first conceived, and adopted, you will entering this program, and for ready four in the nation. It was designed understand the concept of “active reference thereafter. to be a step toward the empower- citizenship”. ment of young men in becoming Once on campus, you will have stronger, smarter, and dedicated As a “Boy Stater”, you will learn access to online law resources. You citizen. that government is a unique & may also freely consult with your specialized business. Government Counsellors, Commissioners, and our Your personal dedication to excel- furnishes essential services, at enor- competent and experienced Legion- lence will create a successful and mous costs, to all that come under naire instructors, for expert guidance lasting experience for all partici- its jurisdictions. and interpretation of the law. pants in this year’s program. As a citizen, each of you must pay Your degree of success at Boys I am proud that you are here. your share of such cost, and thereby State will depend on your study of – William “Bill” Pennell, President safeguard our valued institutions. government before you arrive and The standards of public service are your willingness to be a dynamic elevated only when you have a thor- citizen of Buckeye Boys State. It’s 2021 Buckeye Boys State Blue Book 7 Table of Contents Ohio State Government ..............................................................10 Legislative ..................................................................................12 Apportionment .....................................................................15 Sessions and Organization......................................15 In the House of Representatives ................................................16 In the Senate ...........................................................16 Resolutions ..........................................................................18 Bills .....................................................................................19 Committees ..........................................................................21 Adjournment ........................................................................22 Executive ....................................................................................22 Elected Officials ..................................................................22 Governor .................................................................23 Lieutenant Governor .............................................24 Attorney General ....................................................24 Auditor of State ......................................................30 Secretary of State ...................................................31 Cabinet Offices - Executive Branch ...........................................38 Adjutant General’s Department ...........................................38 Department of Administrative Services ..............................40 Department of Aging ...........................................................41 Department of Agriculture ...................................................42 Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation .............................44 Department of Commerce ...................................................45 Ohio Development Services Agency ...................................47 Department of Developmental Disabilities .........................48 Environmental Protection Agency .......................................49 Department of Health ..........................................................49 Ohio Higher Education ........................................................52 Office of the Inspector General ...........................................53 Department of Insurance .....................................................53