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The 136th General is open for business

4 Feb 2025 3:28 PM | Anonymous

Legislative Update
Janice Lanier JD RN
Liaison Public Policy Committee

Both the house and senate will start holding committee hearings the week of January 27th .

The senate wasted no time sending unmistakable signals as to what the next two years will look like legislatively. A long-awaited return of SB 83 from the previous general assembly, is the rewritten higher education reform bill , now SB 1. Sponsored by Sen. Jerry Cirino (R-Kirtland) this version restores a faculty strike ban that was stricken from the former bill by the House Higher Education Committee in the last session. The current version also bars spending on nearly all DEI initiatives. The bill is likely on a fast track to passage by the senate. Although not yet referred to a standing committee, it will likely go the higher education committee chaired by Sen. Kristina Roegner (R-Hudson) who predicted hearings would begin next week. According to Roegner, quick decisive action leaves no doubt about how seriously the senate takes higher education. A companion bill (HB 6) was introduced in the house by Rep. Tom Young (R-Dayton.) Supporters feel confident the legislation will pass although there has already been outspoken opposition.

Sen. Terry Johnson (R-Scioto County) a retired physician, introduced SB 7 that requires public and non-public chartered schools to provide instruction in the harmful effects of substance use. The age-appropriate instruction must be provided annually to all K-12 students. As with most bills, the devil is in the details, starting with reporting requirements, curricula content, recommended best-practices, the way the instruction is provided and more. School nurses may want to keep an eye on this bill.

Another bill SB 8 sponsored by Sen. Steve Huffman (R-Tipp City) prohibits a public employer from providing paid leave or compensation for a public employee to engage in certain union activities. Those activities include political activities performed by or on behalf of an employee organization advocating for the election or defeat of any political candidate. It also prohibits lobbying activity performed by or on behalf of an employee organization that involves attempting to influence the passage or defeat of federal or state legislation, local ordinance, or any ballot measure. An employee may use accrued personal

leave to engage in the identified political activities if the collective bargaining agreement allows. A collective bargaining agreement may not, however, include a provision that would negate the general prohibitions in the bill.

SB 11 a bipartisan bill sponsored by senators Louis Blessing (R-Colerain Twp.) and William DeMora (D-Columbus) would eliminate non-compete clauses in employment -related agreements. SB 25 sponsored by Sen Terry Johnson (R-Scioto County) a primary care physician, prohibits the provision of sun lamp tanning services to those under age 16. The general assembly has been limiting tanning services for minors by placing numerous restrictions and requirements on anyone under age 18. This bill is an outright prohibition for those age 16 and younger. Finally, SB 32 sponsored by senators Michele Reynolds (R-Canal Winchester) and Tim Schaffer (R-Lancaster) establishes the childcare credit program and includes an appropriation. The previous general assembly considered several pieces of legislation dealing with childcare costs and ultimately approved the inclusion of language creating the credit program in a “Christmas tree” bill, but in that bill the appropriation language was deleted. That omission is corrected in SB 32. A portion of childcare costs are to be shared equally by the employee, the employer and the Ohio Department of Children and Youth. Participation in the program is voluntary for parents and employers.

He (or she) who has the money has the power and he (or she) who has the power makes the rules.

HR 9 At the beginning of every new general assembly, both legislative chambers make their own procedural rules for the biennium. Consequently, the majority party, especially one with a super majority, can significantly minimize the role of the minority party when it comes to operational matters. The House of Representatives in the 135th General Assembly, because of a schism in the republican party, adopted rules that gave some consideration to the democrats. For example, democrat leadership had direct authority over their members’ committee assignments and their staff. Under Speaker Matt Huffman those considerations were eliminated. That means the minority party can only recommend which democrats should serve on the various standing committees. The actual appointment is made by the Speaker. The Speaker also manages all house staff regardless of party affiliation. This level of control harkens back to house rules adopted prior to the 135th General Assembly.

Procedural rules adopted by the previous general assembly that intended to provide more transparency in the law-making process were also eliminated. Gone from the current house are the requirements that:

· committee amendments had to be submitted by midnight the night before a committee meeting

· the House Rules & Reference Committee had to set the calendar no later than 24 hours before session

· floor amendments had to be submitted one or two hours before session.

In addition, the lobby directly outside the house chamber will be closed 30 minutes before and after a floor session unless the individual has floor privileges. Floor privileges are held by credentialed media, house members, their guests, and staff.

Minority leader, Rep. Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) said the procedural changes create less transparency for the public and “make it harder for the public to share values and perspectives.” Republicans counter that the rules are “fair and empower members to more effectively represent (their) constituents .”(1)

The house resolution containing the operational rules was opposed by all democrats and two republicans, former Speaker Jason Stevens (Kitts Hill) and D.J. Swearingen (Huron).

Sources: 1. Gongwer-Ohio (1/22/25) New house rules revert power to the speaker. Gongwer News Service.

2. Gongwer-Ohio (1/22/25) Higher Ed bill returns with DEI and faculty strike bans. Gongwer News Service.

House members introduced 18 bills to start this session.

Like the senate, a variety of topics became the subject of early house legislative proposals. Generally, the first 10 bills introduced during the beginning of a session signal a chamber’s priorities. If that holds true this year, the early house bills cover a variety of subjects from modifications of Ohio’s property law (HB 1), school bus safety (HB 3 ), child care affordability (HB 2 and HB 7), higher education (HB 6 the companion bill to SB 1), and reintroduction of HB 73 from the 135th General Assembly dealing with prescribing, dispensing, and administering off label drugs (HB12).

The new bill (HB 12) is sponsored once again by Rep. Jennifer Gross (R-West Chester) with D.J. Swearingen (R-Huron) a new cosponsor. The bill addresses some of the concerns raised by opponents of HB 73; however, the language is still somewhat ambiguous with respect to protecting the nurse from Board of Nursing disciplinary action. One of the bill’s 39 co-sponsors is newly elected CRNA Kellie Deeter (R-Norwalk). One democrat signed onto the bill, Rep. Cecil Thomas (North Avondale).

Personnel Updates

The senate republican caucus will name former Ohio Republican Party Chair Jane Timken (Stark County) to fill the senate seat formerly held by Kirk Schuring who died late last year. Timken served as party chair for four years before resigning to run for the U.S. Senate. That race was unsuccessful, but she remained a major figure in Ohio republican politics. She is described as a “proven conservative who brings a unique skillset of economic development, public policy and politics to the senate.” ( Source: Gongwer-Ohio (1/23/25) Ex-ORP chair Timken to fill senate vacancy. Gongwer News Service) Her formal election by the majority caucus will take place at the January 29th senate session.

Joint Medicaid Oversight Committee (JMOC)

The Joint Medicaid Oversight Committee (JMOC) was created by Senate Bill 206 of the 130th Ohio General Assembly. The committee consists of five state senators and five state representatives. The primary function of the JMOC is to provide continuing oversight of all facets of the state's Medicaid program. The committee oversees Medicaid compliance with legislative intent, evaluates legislation for long-term impact on Medicaid, and assists in limiting the rate of spending growth, while improving quality of care and health outcomes for individuals enrolled in the state's Medicaid program.

JMOC Members for the 136th General Assembly include:

House members: 

  • Adam Holmes (R-Nashport) Chair 
  • Jennifer Gross (R-West Chester) 
  • Bill Roemer (R-Tiffin) 
  • Derrick Hall (D-Akron) 
  • Rachel Baker (D-Cincinnati) 

Senate Members:

  • Mark Romanchuk (R- Mansfield ) V-chair
  • Beth Liston (D-Dublin) Ranking Mbr
  • Steve Huffman (R-Tipp City)
  • Catherine Ingram (D-Cincinnati)
  • Susan Manchester (R-Waynesfield)


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