HB 309: Regards budget commissions, property tax, and certain funds - Ohio

As Passed by the Senate → As Enrolled · 3 edits · Dec 19, 2025

MINOR

This bill transitions from a Senate-passed version to an enrolled version, incorporating administrative formatting changes and consolidating the bill text for final enactment. The substantive policy content remains unchanged, with the primary differences being the removal of page numbers, line numbers, and legislative metadata while adding standard enrolled bill formatting and signatures for the Governor and legislators.

TECHNICAL

Removed page numbers, line numbers, and legislative metadata (cosponsor lists, bill numbers) that were present in the Senate version but are not needed in the final enrolled version.

Added standard enrolled bill formatting including the 136th General Assembly designation, substitute bill notation, and signature lines for the Speaker, President, Governor, and Secretary of State.

Reorganized the bill structure by moving the act title and purpose statement to the beginning, followed by the operative sections, which is the standard format for enrolled bills.

As Passed by the House → As Passed by the Senate · 6 edits · Nov 19, 2025

MODERATE

The Senate version of HB 309 reorganized the bill's structure and added new substantive provisions regarding county budget commissions and property taxation. Key changes include new requirements for school district eligibility, expanded powers for county budget commissions to adjust tax levies, and a new section establishing fixed-sum levy rate adjustments. These changes affect how school funding is distributed and how property tax rates are determined and modified.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to include more detailed provisions for county budget commission authority over property tax levies and new mechanisms for adjusting fixed-sum tax rates. The Senate version also added specific eligibility criteria for school districts receiving state funding.

REQUIREMENT

New eligibility requirements for school districts receiving state funding, including minimum millage levies and school year compliance standards

New provisions requiring county budget commissions to notify legislative authorities and library trustees before meetings about library fund distributions

ENFORCEMENT

Expanded county budget commission authority to adjust tax levies to avoid unnecessary or excessive collections, with specific protections for school district minimum levies

DEFINITION

New section 5705.60 establishing 'qualifying fixed-sum levy' definition and requiring tax commissioner to annually determine rate changes needed to produce specified tax amounts

TECHNICAL

Reorganized bill structure with Senate formatting changes, including reordering of sections and addition of Senate cosponsors

ELIGIBILITY

Alternative apportionment methods for county public library funds in smaller counties with specific population thresholds

As Introduced → As Passed by the House · 5 edits · Oct 8, 2025

MODERATE

The bill was significantly streamlined by removing references to multiple property tax and library funding sections, narrowing its focus to county budget commissions and property taxation. New sections were added to establish clearer definitions for fixed-sum levies and create a new section for managing county public library fund distributions. The changes simplify the legislative text while maintaining core funding mechanisms for school districts and local governments.

Scope change

The bill's scope was narrowed from covering multiple property tax sections (5705.01, 5705.03, 5705.13, 5705.27, 5705.28, 5705.29, 5705.31, 5705.32, 5705.321, 5705.35, 5705.36, 5705.37, 5747.51, and 5747.53) to only four sections (3317.01, 5705.31, 5705.32, and 5705.321) plus a new section 5705.60. This represents a consolidation of the bill's focus.

SCOPE

Removed references to sections 5705.01, 5705.03, 5705.13, 5705.27, 5705.28, 5705.29, 5705.35, 5705.36, 5705.37, 5747.51, and 5747.53, which previously covered various property taxation and library fund provisions.

FISCAL

Added new section 5705.60 to establish procedures for determining and certifying rate changes for qualifying fixed-sum levies, ensuring they produce specified amounts of tax revenue.

DEFINITION

Modified section 5705.321 to include new definitions for 'city, located wholly or partially in the county, with the greatest population' and 'participating political subdivision' for library fund apportionment purposes.

REQUIREMENT

Added new requirements in section 5705.32 for county budget commissions to provide public hearings before reducing tax levies and to establish minimum levy levels based on historical data.

TECHNICAL

Reorganized the bill's structure by consolidating related provisions and removing redundant section references, making the legislation more concise and easier to navigate.

Regards budget commissions, property tax, and certain funds

What changed between versions

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