Technology

To amend sections 5101.54 and 5101.542 of the Revised Code to require Ohio's SNAP program to begin using chip-enabled EBT cards, to name this act the Enhanced Cybersecurity for SNAP Act, and to make an appropriation.

To amend section 4905.02 and to enact sections 4933.51, 4933.52, 4933.54, 4933.56, 4933.57, 4933.59, 4933.60, and 4933.63 of the Revised Code to exempt from regulation as a public utility certain persons or entities providing behind-the-meter utility services and to allow the Public Utilities Commission to register providers of such services.

HB 188 establishes the Ohio Israel Trade and Innovation Partnership, a state-funded initiative to strengthen economic ties between Ohio and Israel. It directly affects Ohio businesses, universities, and innovation hubs seeking collaboration opportunities with Israeli companies. The bill creates a dedicated partnership program under Ohio law and allocates state funding to support joint research, trade missions, and business development activities. This is a concrete policy change that formalizes a new state mechanism for international economic engagement.

To amend sections 301.30, 504.04, 715.013, 718.01, 1315.01, and 5747.01 and to enact sections 101.88, 1352.01, 1352.02, 1352.03, and 1352.04 of the Revised Code to enact the Ohio Blockchain Basics Act to address mining, taxation, and regulation of digital assets and digital asset investments by the state retirement systems.