Rep. Josh Williams

To amend sections 3704.14, 4503.10, 4503.102, and 4503.103 of the Revised Code to create an alternative method to certify compliance with the E-Check program and to name this act the E-Check Ease Act.

Maddy summaryHB 120 exempts the sale of firearm safety devices (such as trigger locks or gun safes) from Ohio's sales and use tax. This change directly affects consumers purchasing these devices and retailers selling them, removing the tax obligation on these specific products. The bill amends Ohio Revised Code sections 5739.01-5739.17 to create this tax exemption, making it a concrete policy change for firearm safety device transactions. The legislation does not alter tax treatment for other firearm-related items or general sales.

Maddy summaryHB 110 amends Ohio law to increase penalties for repeat voyeurism offenses. It raises penalties for individuals with two or more prior convictions of secretly recording others in private spaces (e.g., bathrooms, changing rooms) or undergarments, upgrading violations from misdemeanors to third-degree felonies. The bill specifically targets repeat offenders who previously violated laws against surreptitiously videotaping, photographing, or broadcasting private areas without consent. It does not change penalties for first-time offenses but strengthens consequences for repeat violations across all scenarios described in the law.

Maddy summaryHB 101 establishes a pilot program to provide $4,000 annual scholarships to underrepresented Ohio undergraduate students planning to attend law school. The Ohio State Bar Association will manage the program, selecting 10-20 Ohio resident students from underrepresented groups for academic scholarships, free LSAT test preparation, mentoring, and law school career guidance. The program, funded by state appropriations, requires the Bar Association to report annually on outcomes, expenses, and use of funds to the Chancellor of Higher Education and legislative committees. This is a temporary initiative with no specified end date beyond the pilot phase.

Maddy summaryHB 99 removes specific nonprofit agricultural membership organizations from Ohio's insurance regulations. It defines these organizations as state-incorporated entities serving farmers' interests and providing healthcare coverage exclusively to members and their families. The bill clarifies that such healthcare coverage is not considered "insurance" under state law, exempting these organizations from Title XXXIX regulations and the superintendent of insurance's jurisdiction. This allows the organizations to provide healthcare benefits without insurance licensing while permitting reinsuring of related risks through authorized insurers.

To amend sections 3313.602, 3314.03, 3326.11, and 3328.24 and to enact section 3313.6031 of the Revised Code to enact The Pledge of Allegiance Act to require the Pledge of Allegiance in schools.

To amend sections 3314.03, 3326.11, and 3328.24 and to enact sections 5.2322 and 3313.475 of the Revised Code to enact the Graduation Readiness and Development (GRAD) Act regarding exit orientation programs at public high schools and to designate September as "Workforce Development Month."

To enact Alyssa's Law to establish a pilot grant program for public and chartered nonpublic schools to purchase panic alert systems or contract for artificial intelligence firearm detection software and to make an appropriation.

To amend section 122.1710 and to enact sections 122.1712 and 122.1713 of the Revised Code to modify the Individual Microcredential Assistance Program(IMAP), to create platinum provider programs for certain IMAP participants, and to name this act the Platinum Providers Act.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the state Department of Education to assign annual letter grades to every school district and individual school building based on specific performance metrics. The grading system evaluates factors such as annual measurable objectives, graduation rates, and student growth, with specific benchmarks set for each letter grade from A to F. To ensure transparency, the department must publish these grades on annual report cards that include two-year trend data and separate scores for key student subgroups like those with disabilities and gifted students. Additionally, the bill mandates that the department publicly present its proposed grading methods and benchmarks to legislative committees before finalizing the rules for implementation.