Rep. Elliot Forhan

Maddy summaryHB 184 amends state laws to clarify how charitable organizations, sales promotions, and solicitation professionals are defined and regulated. The bill expands the definition of a charitable organization to include groups that hold themselves out as serving public safety or other benevolent purposes, even if their contributions are not tax-deductible. It also updates definitions for terms like "professional solicitor" and "fund-raising counsel" to better distinguish between paid agents and volunteers or in-house staff. By refining these legal categories, the legislation aims to provide clearer rules for how charities and their partners operate when asking for donations or conducting fundraising events.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Ohio Ireland Trade Commission to study and promote trade, investment, and business exchanges between Ohio and Ireland. The commission will be made up of nine members appointed by the governor, legislative leaders, and the governor with Senate approval, including representatives from higher education, the chamber of commerce, and Irish American communities. These unpaid members will meet throughout the state, elect a chair, and submit annual reports to state officials on their findings and recommendations. The commission is also authorized to raise its own funds through donations and grants to cover its administrative costs and carry out its mission.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a commemorative resolution that honors Laura Battocletti on her retirement from her role as executive director of the Ohio Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board. It recognizes her distinguished career in public service, which includes previous leadership positions with the Ohio House of Representatives and the Ohio Casino Control Commission. The text formally commends her dedication and instructs the House Clerk to send an official copy of the resolution to her as a gesture of appreciation.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new "Blue Star Banner" license plate available to the immediate family members of U.S. military personnel currently serving on active duty. Eligible applicants, who include spouses, parents, siblings, children, and grandparents, must provide proof of their relative's active service and pay a standard registration fee plus a ten-dollar administrative charge. Once approved, the registrar will issue these special plates featuring a specific logo and county identification stickers to recognize the family's connection to the armed forces. The legislation also includes a provision prohibiting individuals from falsely claiming this relationship to obtain the plates.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates state definitions to officially include the U.S. Space Force within the armed forces and uniformed services. It establishes a program to certify businesses that employ veterans, allowing these companies to receive bonus points when bidding on state contracts. Additionally, the legislation grants examination credit to state job applicants who have served honorably in the military, including the Space Force, to help them qualify for public employment.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates specific days and weeks in Ohio to honor agriculture, including Farmer's Day, FFA Week, 4-H Week, and Ohio Soil Health Week. It also updates the rules for deputy apiarists, who inspect bee hives, by clarifying their appointment process, compensation, and reporting requirements to the state director of agriculture. The legislation establishes that these deputies serve at the pleasure of the county board and must submit inspection reports and expense claims for director approval before receiving payment. Additionally, the bill repeals an older, conflicting section of the Revised Code regarding these agricultural designations.

Maddy summaryHB 81 designates specific sections of roads and a bridge across Ohio with new names to honor individuals who served in law enforcement, the military, and emergency services. The bill affects various counties by officially renaming highways such as State Route 39 in Carroll County to the "Sheriff Dale R. Williams Memorial Highway" and Interstate 77 in Akron to the "American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. Memorial Highway." Under this legislation, the state director of transportation is authorized to install physical markers along these routes to display the new commemorative titles. This measure serves as a formal recognition of public service rather than altering traffic laws or funding requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill modernizes adoption laws by updating specific sections of the state's Revised Code and clarifying the exclusive jurisdiction of probate courts over various legal matters. While the text primarily defines the probate court's authority over wills, estates, guardianships, and medical decisions, it explicitly includes the power to hear and determine petitions for adoption. The legislation ensures that these family law cases remain within the probate court system unless other laws assign jurisdiction elsewhere, streamlining the legal process for adoption and related family matters.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the rules for selecting members of the State Teachers Retirement Board to ensure a mix of expertise and independence. It establishes specific qualifications for board seats, requiring that investment-focused members have direct experience in managing assets while prohibiting them from having worked for the retirement system or related financial firms in the last three years. The legislation also clarifies how these members are appointed, designating roles for the director of education, the state treasurer, and elected officials, while maintaining seats for current and retired teachers. These changes aim to structure the board's composition to better reflect professional investment knowledge and prevent conflicts of interest, without altering the terms of those already serving on the board.

Maddy summaryHB 338 amends state law to allow child support orders to be issued, modified, or extended for children over the age of 18 who have a disability. This change directly affects parents and guardians of adult children with disabilities who may still require financial support. The bill also clarifies how funds related to computerization fees should be disbursed within the child support system. By updating the legal framework, the legislation ensures that support obligations can continue beyond the typical age of majority for qualifying disabled minors.