Rep. Terrence Upchurch

Maddy summaryThis bill is a resolution that formally recognizes the St. Ignatius High School boys soccer team for winning the 2024 Division I State Championship in Ohio. It specifically honors the players and their coach, Mike McLaughlin, for their athletic achievements and dedication to the sport. The House of Representatives will send an official copy of this resolution to the team as a tribute.

Maddy summaryHB 70 requires all public and private schools to create policies governing the administration of both prescription and over-the-counter drugs to students. For prescription medications, the bill mandates that schools establish clear rules on which staff members are authorized to administer drugs and sets strict requirements for parental consent, detailed medical instructions from prescribers, and secure storage in locked areas. The legislation also provides legal protection for school employees who follow these approved policies, shielding them from civil liability unless they act with gross negligence. Additionally, the bill gives schools the flexibility to decide whether their staff can administer over-the-counter medications and whether they require parental permission to do so.

Maddy summaryHB 24 requires private health plans and Medicaid in Ohio to cover biomarker testing for diagnosis, treatment management, and ongoing monitoring of diseases, provided the test is deemed medically necessary by a qualified healthcare provider. The bill mandates that coverage decisions be based on established medical evidence, such as FDA labels, federal coverage determinations, or nationally recognized clinical guidelines, while explicitly excluding coverage for screening purposes. To ensure patient care is not disrupted, the legislation also requires that coverage be structured to minimize the need for multiple biopsies or sample collections. Additionally, the law establishes an accessible appeal process for coverage determinations and includes language intended to prevent significant price increases for these tests.

Maddy summaryHB 645 proposes creating a refundable tax credit or rebate for homeowners and renters whose property taxes or rent exceed five percent of their income. The bill would allow eligible individuals to claim this financial assistance directly on their state tax returns to offset the cost of housing. Additionally, the legislation includes provisions for pass-through entities, such as partnerships or S corporations, to file a single tax return on behalf of their investors who are subject to state income tax. This mechanism would simplify the filing process for these businesses while ensuring investors receive their appropriate share of any credits or payments.

Maddy summaryHB 79 allows electric distribution utilities to create and submit plans for energy efficiency and demand reduction programs to the Public Utilities Commission. To get approval, utilities must provide detailed information about their proposed programs, including costs, expected energy savings, and how they will be funded without double-charging customers. The bill also defines specific terms like "behavioral energy savings" and requires utilities to include plans for improving smart grid technology and managing peak demand. Once approved, these portfolios enable utilities to help residential and business customers save energy while ensuring the programs remain cost-effective and fair.

Maddy summaryHB 675 establishes a Social Work Internship Grant Program to provide financial support for social work interns. The bill also creates specific tax exemptions for grants received under this program, shielding them from state and local income taxes. Additionally, the legislation updates definitions for municipal taxable income and outlines rules for calculating income for both residents and nonresidents, including provisions for net operating losses and various types of exempt income such as military pay and social security benefits.

Maddy summaryHB 370 clarifies the Ohio Department of Transportation's authority and responsibilities regarding state highways located within cities and villages. The bill grants the Director of Transportation broad powers to alter, construct, and maintain these roads, including the ability to purchase or appropriate land for improvements like bridges, bike paths, and drainage systems. It also allows the department to acquire property in the name of the state or, in specific cases involving railroads and utilities, directly in the name of those entities. Furthermore, the legislation explicitly states that the state has no mandatory duty to repair state highways inside municipal limits unless the local government requests and approves the work.

Maddy summaryHB 667 modifies the composition and operating procedures of the Ohio Ballot Board, which oversees the preparation of ballots for statewide elections. The bill requires the board to consist of the secretary of state and four appointed members, with no more than two members belonging to the same political party. Appointments are to be made by the secretary of state, the Senate leadership, and the House leadership, with specific rules ensuring that legislative members serving on the board must step down if their term in the legislature ends before their board term concludes. Additionally, the bill establishes a new co-chairperson role elected by the board to ensure balanced leadership and outlines how the board must handle complex initiative petitions by splitting them into separate proposals if necessary.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a resolution that expresses the Ohio House of Representatives' support for a citizen-led redistricting initiative. It does not change any laws or create new policies but instead encourages Ohio voters to back a measure that would transfer map-drawing power from politicians to a commission of ordinary citizens. The text argues that current gerrymandering practices distort democracy and urges the public to support this reform to ensure fairer elections. Ultimately, the bill serves as a formal statement of endorsement rather than a substantive legislative change.

Maddy summaryHR 571 is a resolution that formally recognizes the third week of September as Asthma Peak Week in Ohio. It aims to raise public awareness about asthma, a condition affecting over 1.1 million people in the state, and highlights the importance of proper treatment and management during this time when hospital visits often increase due to fall allergies. The bill directs the House Clerk to send copies of the resolution to Ohio news media to help spread the message. This legislative action does not change laws or allocate funding but serves to draw attention to the health challenges associated with asthma.