Rep. Josh Williams

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 305 amends several Ohio Revised Code sections to update definitions and restrict how public funds can be used by local governments and legal aid organizations. The bill clarifies what constitutes a "political subdivision" and prohibits these entities from using taxpayer money to publish content that supports political candidates, promotes illegal activities, or engages in electioneering. Additionally, it limits legal aid funds to specific services for indigent clients and bars their use in criminal or fee-generating cases. The legislation also introduces new rules for public depositories, requiring them to notify governing boards if they are involved in federal regulatory corrective actions.

Maddy summaryHB 385 allows individuals convicted of crimes while being victims of human trafficking to apply for the expungement of their criminal records. The bill permits applicants to request relief for any offense except murder, requiring them to file a formal application with specific details and supporting evidence. A judge will hold a hearing to evaluate the request, considering factors such as the level of duress faced and the seriousness of the crime, before deciding whether to clear the record. If approved, the conviction will be treated as if it never occurred, and the applicant will be legally protected from having the record used in future background checks.

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 347 simplifies the process for farmers in Ohio to prove that certain vehicles and trailers are used for agricultural purposes, thereby exempting them from sales tax. Instead of relying on a generic exemption certificate, eligible farmers can verify their status by submitting copies of their federal Schedule F tax returns for the three most recent years to the tax commissioner. Once the commissioner issues an identification number based on these documents, farmers can present this number to vendors to automatically qualify for the tax exemption without needing additional proof. The bill also clarifies that vendors are generally relieved of tax liability if they accept a valid exemption certificate, except in cases involving fraud or specific misuse of the exemption. This change aims to reduce administrative burdens for agricultural businesses while maintaining oversight to prevent improper tax avoidance.

Maddy summaryHB 264 amends state laws to clarify how steam-producing facilities can recover waste energy for efficiency purposes. The bill primarily affects industrial and commercial entities that operate steam systems by updating the legal framework governing their energy recovery efforts. It achieves this by revising specific sections of the state's energy code to include these facilities within the scope of existing energy efficiency regulations. This change ensures that such facilities are covered under the same rules designed to promote energy conservation and reduce waste.

Maddy summaryHB 559 amends Ohio law to establish specific prison sentence ranges for various felony offenses, including first through fifth-degree felonies and crimes involving firearms. The bill directly affects courts and offenders by mandating minimum and maximum terms for convictions, such as setting a range of three to eleven years for first-degree felonies committed on or after March of the current year. It also introduces additional sentencing requirements for offenders convicted of serious violent crimes who also possess firearms, including mandatory extra prison time in certain cases. By defining these terms more precisely, the legislation aims to standardize sentencing outcomes for criminal acts without altering the underlying criminal statutes.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a regulatory framework for companies offering earned wage access services, which allow workers to receive a portion of their earned but unpaid income before their regular payday. It directly affects businesses that provide these financial services to employees and independent contractors in the state. The legislation requires such providers to obtain a certificate of registration from the state's financial institutions division and mandates background checks on key officers, including reviews of criminal, civil, and credit histories. Additionally, the bill sets specific fees for registration and investigation, while also integrating these providers into a nationwide multistate licensing system to streamline compliance across state lines.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the state's criminal justice procedures to allow individuals to request a new trial or postconviction relief if they present new evidence that would likely change the original verdict. It specifically mandates that courts hold resentencing hearings for offenders whose death sentences are overturned due to specific legal errors, intellectual disability findings, or changes in the law. Under the new rules, if a death penalty is vacated, the court must resentence the individual to life imprisonment or a term of at least thirty years, unless the person previously waived the right to parole. Additionally, the legislation requires the State Criminal Sentencing Commission to monitor the impact of these changes on local government costs and the state correctional system.

Maddy summaryHB 593 amends the law on criminal child enticement by requiring that a person must act with a specific sexual motivation or an unlawful purpose to be convicted of the offense. This change directly affects individuals who solicit or lure children under fourteen years of age, ensuring that accidental or non-sexual interactions do not automatically result in criminal charges. The bill also clarifies that law enforcement, medical personnel, and school employees are exempt from these requirements when acting within the scope of their official duties, while providing an affirmative defense for actions taken during bona fide emergencies. Ultimately, the legislation aims to refine how the offense is defined and prosecuted without altering the underlying penalties for those who violate the law.