Budget & Taxes (Local Government)

introduced · Ohio · House Jul 22, 2026

HB 981: Regards income tax levied in joint economic development district

HB 981 amends state laws to allow local governments to create joint economic development districts where they can levy income taxes on businesses and employees operating within those areas. The bill defines specific rules for forming these districts, such as requiring the participating areas to be geographically connected and ensuring that no residents live inside the district boundaries. It also establishes how different local governments can share costs and revenue generated from these taxes to fund improvements and services. Additionally, the legislation clarifies which types of entities and individuals are considered businesses or owners for tax purposes and sets standards for what counts as mixed-use development.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill enables local governments to levy income taxes within economic development districts, increasing revenue for fiscal management and funding.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Sales Tax Tax Incentives Tags Economic Development Local Government

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in committee · Ohio · House May 20, 2026

HB 912: Create the State and Municipal Government Commission

HB 912 creates the State and Municipal Government Commission to improve cooperation between state and local governments in Ohio. This new body will analyze how state policies affect local home rule authority, facilitate collaboration between leaders, and provide recommendations on funding and policy impacts. The commission consists of thirteen members appointed by various state officials, including the governor, legislative leaders, and local mayors, who serve two-year terms. It must meet at least twice a year and submit annual reports to the General Assembly detailing its findings and suggestions for preserving municipal authority. All official reports require approval from a majority of members, including representation from both political parties and specific local government officials.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates a commission to improve fiscal cooperation and analyze funding impacts, promoting better state-local government management.65% confidence

Tags Local Government

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in committee · Ohio · Senate Jan 29, 2025

SB 45: Expand eligibility for county sewer discounted rates or charges

SB 45 would amend Ohio Revised Code section 6117.02 to expand eligibility for discounted sewer rates or charges in county sewer districts. Currently, certain property owners may not qualify for these discounts, but this bill would broaden the criteria to include more residents and businesses connected to county sewer systems. The bill does not alter existing rules for setting standard sewer rates, connection fees, or penalties for late payments. It directly affects property owners who currently do not qualify for discounts but would meet the expanded eligibility under this legislation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesThe bill expands eligibility for discounted sewer rates, providing financial relief to residents and businesses by reducing government-imposed charges, akin to tax relief.90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill expands eligibility for discounted rates for a utility (sewer services), aligning with 'protects utility consumers' under the broad 'Energy' topic including utilities.75% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingSB 45 expands eligibility for discounted sewer rates, reducing a recurring housing cost for residents and businesses, which contributes to housing affordability.75% confidence

Tags Local Government

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in committee · Ohio · House Sep 15, 2025

HB 412: Allow village to contract with county prosecutor

HB 412 allows Ohio villages to contract directly with their county prosecutor for legal services instead of maintaining their own legal staff. This directly affects villages seeking cost-effective legal representation and county prosecutors offering those services. The bill amends Revised Code sections 309.09 and 733.48 to establish a formal process for these contracts. The change provides villages with a practical option to access legal expertise through existing county resources.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesThe bill allows villages to seek 'cost-effective legal representation,' promoting fiscal responsibility and potentially reducing local government spending.85% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeHB 412 enhances access to legal expertise for villages by allowing contracts with county prosecutors, strengthening a core component of the criminal justice system.75% confidence

Tags Local Government

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in committee · Ohio · House Oct 15, 2025

HB 517: Regards special assessments for shade trees

HB 517 proposes to amend Ohio law regarding special fees for shade tree maintenance. It allows municipalities to create districts for managing street trees and levy annual fees on properties within those districts. The key provision exempts nonprofit land conservation organizations (defined as IRS 501(c)(3) groups focused on land conservation) from these special fees. This directly affects property owners who would pay the fees and the exempt nonprofits. The bill does not change fee amounts or collection methods, only specifies who qualifies for the exemption.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesThe bill provides specific tax/fee exemptions for nonprofit land conservation organizations, which is a form of targeted tax relief.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tags Local Government

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in committee · Ohio · House May 21, 2025

HB 274: Require local government firefighting and EMS; create grants

To enact sections 9.51 and 9.511 of the Revised Code to require townships and municipal corporations to provide firefighting services and emergency medical services and to establish the Fire and EMS Shared Services Reimbursement Grant Program.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesThe bill establishes a grant program for fire and EMS services, directly involving state appropriations and government spending, thus funding essential public services.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates local governments provide emergency medical services (EMS) and creates grants for them, directly advancing and funding a critical component of health services and patient access.95% confidence

Tags Local Government Public Safety

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in committee · Ohio · House Nov 12, 2025

HB 574: Create Political Subdivision Consolidation Incentive Grant pilot

HB 574 creates a pilot program offering grants to local governments (like cities, towns, or counties) that merge services or boundaries to consolidate operations. The bill provides state funding to cover costs associated with consolidation efforts, such as legal reviews or planning. This pilot program is limited to a specific timeframe and scope, aiming to incentivize efficiency through financial support for voluntary consolidation. It directly affects municipalities considering structural changes to reduce duplication and improve service delivery.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesHB 574 provides state funding for a pilot grant program, directly involving state appropriations and government spending. It aims to incentivize efficiency in local government operations, promoting fiscal management.90% confidence

Tags Local Government

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in committee · Ohio · Senate May 28, 2025

SB 203: Require political subdivisions to adopt a cybersecurity program

SB 203 requires local governments (like cities, counties, and school districts) to adopt formal cybersecurity programs to protect their digital systems. The bill mandates these "political subdivisions" to create and maintain written plans addressing risks, such as securing data and preventing cyberattacks. Key provisions include establishing policies for incident response, employee training, and regular security assessments. This directly affects all local government entities by imposing specific, concrete requirements for safeguarding public information systems.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesSB 203 mandates cybersecurity programs for local governments. By preventing costly cyberattacks and data breaches, these programs promote fiscal responsibility and protect government finances from significant losses, thus supporting the topic.75% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeSB 203 requires local governments, including criminal justice entities like police and courts, to adopt cybersecurity programs, strengthening their data protection and operational integrity.75% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationSB 203 mandates cybersecurity programs for school districts, protecting their digital systems and data, thereby strengthening educational infrastructure.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologySB 203 mandates cybersecurity programs for local governments, directly enhancing cybersecurity and protecting digital systems and data, aligning with the 'Technology' topic.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationRequires local governments to adopt cybersecurity programs, protecting digital systems that manage transportation infrastructure (e.g., traffic control, public transit) from cyberattacks, thereby safeguarding their operation and safety.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Cybersecurity Tags Local Government

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in committee · Ohio · House Oct 1, 2025

HB 466: Require certain approval before subdivision levies a property tax

To amend sections 511.27, 511.28, 1545.041, 1545.21, 3709.29, 5705.23, and 5705.34 and to enact sections 511.271, 1545.212, and 5705.171 of the Revised Code to require certain subdivisions to obtain the approval of the body that created the subdivision before levying a property tax.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesThe bill requires approval before certain subdivisions can levy a property tax, enhancing oversight and accountability in taxation and promoting fiscal responsibility.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tags Local Government

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in committee · Ohio · House Oct 22, 2025

HB 520: Establish Blue Ribbon Comm. in each county to improve efficiency

To establish and convene a Blue Ribbon Committee in each county to review and assess each taxing unit within the county and each county program or department to identify duplication of services and generally to streamline and improve county efficiency and effectiveness.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes committees to review taxing units and county programs to improve efficiency and effectiveness, promoting fiscal responsibility and better fiscal management.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Incentives Tags Local Government

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