Rep. Dan Troy

Maddy summaryThis bill amends election laws to ensure that state ballot questions are numbered consecutively based on the sequence from the previous election, resetting to number one once the count reaches 500. It also establishes a specific order for grouping local issues on ballots, such as county and municipal questions, and requires that the percentage of votes needed to pass each measure be clearly printed. Additionally, the legislation mandates that full text for ballot proposals be posted at polling places if a condensed version appears on the ballot itself. These changes aim to standardize how voters see and number ballot measures while ensuring transparency about voting requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 271 changes how ballot questions are numbered and organized on election ballots to ensure they follow a consistent sequence based on previous elections. The bill requires that state-level questions always appear at the top of the ballot, followed by county, municipal, township, and school district questions in a rotating order that shifts down one step each year. Additionally, it mandates that each question be numbered consecutively, starting with "1" for the top question, while resetting the count back to "1" once a state question reaches the number 500. This legislation also clarifies formatting rules, such as prohibiting bold text for property tax proposals and allowing condensed text summaries with full versions posted at polling places.

Maddy summaryHB 537 prohibits suppliers from advertising a price for goods or services that excludes mandatory fees, requiring instead that the final cost be displayed clearly. The law defines mandatory fees as taxes and delivery charges, though it explicitly exempts financial transactions, broadband internet services, and food delivery platforms from this requirement. Additionally, the bill does not apply to motor vehicle pricing based on manufacturer suggestions or air transportation. Violations of this rule are classified as unconscionable acts in consumer transactions.

Maddy summaryHB 524, known as the Ohio Fairness Act, aims to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity in areas such as employment, housing, and public accommodations. The bill expands the definition of "person" and "employer" to include a wide range of entities and individuals, ensuring broader coverage under state civil rights laws. It also adds mediation as an informal dispute resolution method available to the Ohio Civil Rights Commission. Additionally, the legislation explicitly preserves existing religious exemptions within Ohio's Civil Rights Law, maintaining protections for religious organizations and individuals.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires school boards to approve tax incentive districts in areas where local property taxes fund public schools. It defines specific criteria for these districts, such as high poverty rates or unemployment, and outlines rules for tax exemptions on property improvements within them. The legislation aims to ensure that communities relying on school funding have a say before their local governments use tax breaks to encourage development in distressed areas.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires citizens filing formal complaints against municipal officers to pay the officer's legal fees if the officer is found not guilty. It applies to complaints alleging illegal compensation, conflicts of interest, or misconduct in office by city officials. Under the new rules, judges must ask complainants to provide financial security upfront, and any legal costs for an acquitted officer will be deducted from the complainant's funds. If the officer is found guilty, the financial responsibility for legal expenses remains with the complainant, the accused, or the city, as determined by the judge.

Maddy summaryHB 541 amends state labor laws to require school employees to report suspected violations involving minors under sixteen years of age. The bill also mandates that employers maintain accurate lists of minor employees and provides enforcement officials with the authority to verify the age of workers who appear to be under eighteen. Key provisions include creating a dedicated enforcement fund to hire staff, increasing penalties for violations, and allowing for the detention of minors who refuse to provide their age and residence information to officials.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases criminal penalties for actions that disrupt elections, specifically targeting the intimidation of election officers. It directly affects individuals who attempt to interfere with election duties or obstruct the voting process. Under the new provisions, trying to intimidate an official or prevent them from working would be classified as a fifth-degree felony, while other disruptive acts like damaging election supplies or loitering to hinder the vote would remain first-degree misdemeanors. The legislation aims to provide stricter consequences for those who use force, fraud, or improper means to obtain ballots or destroy election materials.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a commemorative resolution that formally congratulates Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish in Wickliffe, Ohio, on its 100th anniversary. It acknowledges the parish's century-long history of providing spiritual guidance, education, and community services through its church, school, and community center. The resolution directs the House Clerk to send an official copy of the tribute to the parish as a gesture of recognition. No new laws or funding are created; the measure serves solely to honor the milestone event.