Budget & Taxes (Local Government)

HB 592 updates Ohio's requirements for new cities seeking incorporation. It raises the minimum territory size from 2 to 4 square miles, increases the required population density from 800 to 1,000 people per square mile, and lowers the per capita valuation threshold from $3,500 to $2,500 for property subject to general taxation. The bill also changes petition rules to require 51% voter approval based on the previous governor's election turnout, and mandates specific maps, valuation statements, and name availability checks. Additionally, it prohibits incorporating military base areas without federal defense approval. The bill repeals outdated sections of the Revised Code related to municipal incorporation.

To amend sections 3501.01 and 5747.502 and to enact sections 3505.011, 3513.141, 5747.504, and 5747.505 of the Revised Code to generally prohibit the use of ranked choice voting and to withhold Local Government Fund distributions from a municipality or chartered county that uses ranked choice voting.

To amend sections 128.35, 128.37, 128.38, 306.70, 307.697, 322.02, 345.02, 353.06, 511.07, 715.691, 715.70, 715.71, 715.72, 718.04, 718.09, 718.10, 757.02, 3318.06, 4301.421, 4504.02, 4504.15, 4504.21, 5739.021, 5739.026, 5739.09, 5743.021, 5743.024, 5743.026, 5748.021, 5748.03, 5748.08, and 5748.09 and to enact section 5705.17 of the Revised Code to increase the approval threshold required for passage of local taxes subject to voter approval.

To enact sections 5705.262 and 5705.263 of the Revised Code to allow electors to reduce unvoted property taxes by initiative and to name this act the Taxpayers Freedom Trilogy – Act Two: Arresting Inside Millage.