Legislative Update
Janice Lanier JD RN
Liaison Public Policy Committee
Senate :
The senate leadership established 21 standing committees for the 136th general assembly. The ratio of republicans to democrats is generally representative of the overall senate ratio of Rs to Ds (roughly 72- 27% ). The committees range in size from 6 to 14 members with the finance committee being the largest. The size of a committee can often signal how much work is expected to come its way. This session the public utilities committee has 11 members, which is consistent with the expected focus of both chambers predicted to be on energy issues. Most of the committees have six to seven members.
The health committee is once again chaired by physician and Senator Steve Huffman (Tipp City). Vice chair is another physician Senator Terry Johnson (Scioto County). The ranking minority member is newly elected Senator Beth Liston (Dublin), a former state representative , and also a physician. Other members include senators Susan Manchester (R-Waynesfield ) (a former house member), Kristina Roegner (R-Hudson), Mark Romanchuk (R-Ontario), and Catherine Ingram (D-Cincinnati).
Another committee that likely will have a large impact on healthcare issues is the Medicaid committee chaired by Senator Mark Romanchuk. The vice chair is Senator Steve Huffman, and the ranking minority member is Senator Beth Liston. Rounding out the committee are senators Catherine Ingram (D) and Steve Wilson (R-Maineville) with Wilson being the only member who is not also on the health committee.
As always, the finance committee is a major focus of attention because of the important role financial considerations play in policy making. That committee will be chaired by Senator Jerry Cirino (Lake County) who sponsored the controversial higher education reform bill (SB 83) in the previous general assembly. The vice chair is Senator Brian Chavez (Marietta) and the ranking minority member is Senator Paula Hicks-Hudson (Toledo). The republican members include senators Louis Blessing (Cincinnati), Andrew Brenner (Delaware), George Lang (West Chester), Susan Manchester, Sandra O’Brien (Ashtabula), Thomas Patton ( Strongsville ), Mark Romanchuk, and Shane Wilkin (Hillsboro ). The democrats are senators Hearcel Craig (Columbus) and Catherine Ingram.
House:
The house cut the number of its standing committees to 27. To do that, Speaker Matt Huffman eliminated all the finance committee subcommittees and changed the focus for others. According to Huffman, his goal was to ensure house members serve on no more than four committees. Most of the committees have nine republicans and four democrats, and like the senate, those numbers are roughly consistent with the percentage of republicans to democrats in the entire chamber. Only the finance committee with 31 members and the energy committee with 24 members are larger.
Eight to ten of the non-finance standing committees will be having hearings about the budget on subject matters related to the committee’s overall area of focus. For example, a large part of budget testimony will go through the new House Medicaid Committee chaired by APRN Rep. Jennifer Gross (West Chester). The committee vice chair is Rep. Tim Barhorst (Fort Loramie) and the ranking minority member is Rep. Rachel Baker (Cincinnati). The committee members are representatives Meredith Craig (R-Plain Twp.) a newcomer, Ron Ferguson (R-Wintersville), newcomer Derrick Hall (D-Akron), Brian Lampton (R-Beavercreek), newcomer Crystal Lett (D-Hilliard), newcomer Diane Mullins, (R-Hamilton), Scott Oeslager (R-North Canton), Bill Roemer, (R-Richfield), Anita Somani (D-Dublin) a physician, and former speaker Jason Stephens (Kitts Hill).
The health committee will be chaired by Rep. Jean Schmidt (Loveland). The vice chair is newcomer Rep. Kellie Deeter a CRNA from Norwalk and the ranking minority member is Rep. Anita Somani. Members are representatives Rachel Baker, Tim Barhorst, newcomer Karen Brownlee (D-Symmes Twp.), Meredith Craig (R), Michele Grim (D-Toledo) , Jennifer Gross (R), Angela King (R-Celina ), Melanie Miller (R-Ashland), Brian Stewart (R-Ashville), and Angela White (R-Kettering).
The finance committee is the largest committee of the house. The chair is Rep. Brian Stewart vice chair is Rep. Mike Dovilla (Berea) and the ranking minority member is Rep. Bride Rose Sweeney (Westlake). Members include representatives Cindy Abrams (R-Harrison), Rachel Baker (D), Adam Bird (R-Richmond), Jamie Callender (R-Concord), newcomer Chris Glassburn (D-North Olmsted), Michele Grim (D), Thomas Hall (R-Madison Twp), James Hoops (R-Napolean), Dani Isaacsohn (D-Cincinnati), Dontavius Jarrells (D-Columbus), Marilyn John (R-Richland County) Terry Johnson (R-Scioto County), Don Jones (R-Freeport), Gayle Manning (R-N. Ridgeville), Beryl Piccolantonio (D-Gahanna), Phil Plummer (R-Dayton) Sharon Ray (R-Wadsworth), Kevin Ritter (R- Marietta) a newcomer; Phillip Robinson (D-Solon) a newcomer, Bill Roemer (R-Richfield), Jean Schmidt (R), Veronica Sims (D-Akron), Jim Thomas (R-Jackson Twp), Daniel Troy (D-Willowick), Angela White (R), Josh Williams (R-Sylvania Twp), Benard Willis (R-Springfield), and Tom Young (R-Washington Twp).
Former Speaker of the House Rep. Jason Stephens was not named chair or vice chair of any committee. As is customary, no members of the house leadership team were named to head any committee (other than the Rules and Reference Committee, which is typically made up largely of members of the chamber’s republican and democrat leadership teams).
Sources: Gongwer-Ohio (1/17/25) House democrats announce committee assignments. Gongwer News Service.
Gongwer-Ohio ( 1/14/25) Speaker reduces committees, names Stewart finance chair. Gongwer News Service.
Gongwer-Ohio (1/14/25) House Committees for 2025-2026. Gongwer News Service.
Gongwer-Ohio (1/13/25) Senate committees for 2025-2026. Gongwer News Service.
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