Rep. Brian Stewart

Maddy summaryThis bill is a commemorative resolution honoring the memory of Charles F. Kurfess, a former Ohio state representative and lawyer. It formally expresses the House of Representatives' condolences to his family and acknowledges his service as Speaker of the House, his military duty in the Korean War, and his long career in law. The resolution directs the Clerk to send an official copy of the tribute to Kurfess's family, serving as a formal record of respect rather than enacting new laws or policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a resolution honoring the memory of Darrell W. Opfer, a former public official and community leader from Ohio. It formally expresses the House of Representatives' sympathy to his family and acknowledges his service as a teacher, county commissioner, state representative, and Peace Corps volunteer. The resolution directs the Clerk of the House to send an authenticated copy of the tribute to Opfer's family.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a commemorative resolution honoring the memory of Dr. Samuel Wallace Speck, Jr., a former Ohio legislator and public servant. It formally recognizes his contributions to his community and family while expressing the House's sympathy to his loved ones. The resolution directs the Clerk to send an official copy of the document to Speck's family as a gesture of respect.

Maddy summaryHR 651 is a commemorative resolution honoring Senator J. Kirk Schuring following his death. The bill expresses the House of Representatives' sympathies to his family and acknowledges his thirty-one years of service in the Ohio legislature, including his roles as acting speaker and president pro tempore. It also highlights his community involvement and directs the Clerk to send a copy of the resolution to his family. This measure serves as a formal tribute rather than establishing new laws or policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a commemorative resolution honoring the memory of Dan Ramos, a late Ohio state representative and the first Latino to hold a legislative leadership position in either party. It formally recognizes his contributions to the community and his career, which included serving as a page, aide, and policy analyst before his election to the House. The resolution expresses the House's condolences to his family and directs the Clerk to send an official copy of the tribute to them. This measure is purely symbolic and does not alter any laws or policies.

Maddy summaryHB 37 amends Ohio law to increase penalties for operating a vehicle or watercraft while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The bill specifically raises the legal blood alcohol concentration limit for drivers under twenty-one years old and establishes specific thresholds for various controlled substances, including marijuana, cocaine, and methamphetamine, that constitute impairment. These changes directly affect individuals who operate vehicles or watercraft while impaired, subjecting them to stricter legal consequences if they exceed the new limits. By defining precise chemical concentrations for different substances, the legislation aims to clarify what constitutes a violation for law enforcement and the courts.

Maddy summaryHB 29 amends state laws to give municipal, mayor's, and county courts more flexibility in handling fines and costs for people found guilty of offenses. When a defendant cannot pay a fine immediately, the court can now order them to perform community service instead or set up a payment plan. The bill also updates the process for suspending vehicle registration if someone fails to pay fines or court costs, requiring courts to send specific forms to the motor vehicle registrar to trigger the suspension. Once the outstanding fines are paid in full, the court must notify the registrar to lift the suspension and allow vehicle registration or transfer applications to resume.

Maddy summaryHB 497 amends Ohio Revised Code sections to update how legal notices and advertisements are published by state agencies and local governments. The bill requires newspapers to offer a government rate for these mandatory publications that does not exceed the lowest rate charged to other advertisers. It also mandates that required notices be posted on an official public notice website alongside their newspaper publication, ensuring free public access to this information. Additionally, the legislation allows for abbreviated versions of repeated notices online and clarifies formatting requirements for legal ads. Specific provisions also address extending the jurisdiction of the Erie County Municipal Court and modifying educational requirements for public children services caseworkers.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Ohio public schools to create policies that ensure parents are notified about changes in their child's health services and have the right to review instructional materials containing sexuality content. It mandates that schools obtain parental consent before providing most health care services to students and prohibits educators from encouraging students to hide health-related information from their families. Additionally, the legislation restricts sexuality education for students in kindergarten through third grade and establishes a formal process for parents to file written concerns about these policies. While the bill outlines specific notification and consent procedures, it includes exceptions for emergency situations, mandatory reporting requirements, and cases involving criminal investigations or court orders.

Maddy summarySB 237 enacts the Uniform Public Expression Protection Act to shield individuals from civil lawsuits when they speak out on matters of public concern, such as issues discussed in government proceedings. The law specifically protects communications made in legislative, executive, judicial, or administrative settings, as well as the exercise of constitutional rights like free speech and assembly. To support this protection, the bill requires courts to quickly dismiss or pause legal cases that threaten these rights, limiting discovery and hearings until the claim is resolved. However, the protections do not apply to lawsuits against government officials acting in their official capacity or to businesses being sued regarding their sale of goods or services.