Environment

To amend sections 1533.10, 1533.11, 1533.111, 1533.32, and 1533.321 of the Revised Code to allow Ohio residents who are 65 and up, instead of 66 and up, to qualify for discounted hunting and fishing licenses and permits.

SB 2 creates a tax exemption program for developers building on former coal mines or brownfield sites in Ohio, offering five years of property tax relief to encourage investment in these economically distressed areas. It also clarifies that small renewable energy projects (under 50 megawatts, like solar farms, wind farms, and biogas digesters) can be regulated by local zoning boards without changing their tax classification as public utilities. The bill directly affects local governments, developers, and small renewable energy operators by streamlining approvals for these projects while preserving existing tax treatment. These changes aim to support grid reliability and affordability by facilitating new power generation in targeted communities.