Rep. Jennifer Gross

Maddy summaryHB 532 expands the legal definition of "peace officer" to include municipal court bailiffs and probation officers, thereby extending the same legal protections to these roles that currently apply to other law enforcement and public safety workers. The bill also increases penalties for anyone who assaults these newly included officials or other court employees while they are performing their official duties. By categorizing attacks on these individuals as more serious crimes, the legislation aims to strengthen protections for court staff and probation officers against physical harm.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits individuals who are unlawfully present in the United States from possessing, carrying, or using firearms. It expands existing state laws that currently bar specific groups, such as felons and those with certain mental health or substance abuse issues, from owning guns. Violating this prohibition is classified as a third-degree felony. The legislation also outlines a legal process allowing some individuals to petition a court for relief from firearm disabilities if they have led a law-abiding life since their disqualification.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the director of commerce to create and distribute a poster detailing various benefits and services available to veterans in Ohio. The poster must include information on programs like mental health treatment, educational resources, tax exemptions, and the armed forces designation on driver's licenses. Employers are permitted to display this poster in a visible area where employees can easily access it, and the state will provide copies to businesses free of charge.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes adding a constitutional amendment to Ohio that would cap annual property tax increases for individual property owners at four percent. The limit is calculated based on the previous year's tax bill plus the lower of the actual inflation rate or four percent, ensuring taxes do not rise faster than these benchmarks. The measure includes specific exceptions for situations like property division, the loss of tax exemptions, or new construction, while also prohibiting government entities from creating fees or special jurisdictions to bypass the cap. If passed by voters, the amendment would allow taxpayers to sue for enforcement, with courts instructed to rule in favor of the taxpayer when doubts exist and to award legal fees to successful plaintiffs.

Maddy summaryHB 424 modifies the state's sales and use tax laws to clarify how delivery network services are taxed. The bill updates the legal definition of a "sale" to explicitly include various modern services such as electronic data processing, satellite broadcasting, and specific types of transportation. These changes aim to ensure that businesses providing these services are subject to the same tax rules as those selling physical goods. The legislation applies to a wide range of entities, including corporations, partnerships, and individuals, without changing the overall tax rate.