Rep. Adam Bird

Maddy summaryHB 164 establishes a Foster-to-College Scholarship Program in Ohio to provide financial aid to students who entered foster care or noncertified kinship care after their thirteenth birthday. The bill also requires the Department of Education to hire a full-time school foster care liaison to help keep these students in their original schools or ensure a smooth transition to a new school when necessary. The scholarship covers the remaining cost of attendance at a college or university after subtracting all other federal, state, and private financial aid the student receives. Private colleges may choose not to participate in the program, and the funds are paid directly to the educational institution where the student is enrolled.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Ohio's state education board to update high school financial literacy and entrepreneurship standards to include specific concepts about free market capitalism. The new curriculum for grades nine through twelve must teach students that raw materials, labor, and capital are privately owned, that individuals control their own work and earnings, and that market prices help consumers and producers make informed decisions. It also mandates that these standards explain how wealth is created through profit-seeking transactions and how free markets drive entrepreneurship and innovation. Additionally, the legislation directs the state board to develop these academic standards independently rather than as part of a multi-state group and to include related political features like property rights and contract enforcement.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a commemorative resolution honoring the life and public service of Ronald Mottl, Sr., who recently passed away. It formally expresses the House of Representatives' condolences to his family and acknowledges his significant contributions as a politician, educator, and community leader in Ohio. The measure directs the Clerk of the House to send an official copy of the resolution to Mottl's family as a tribute to his legacy.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits foreign nationals from directly or indirectly funding political campaigns, ballot issues, or election-related communications within the state. It also bars state political entities from accepting or using money from foreign nationals for these purposes and makes it illegal for anyone to knowingly help facilitate such transactions. Violations of these rules carry criminal penalties, including fines and potential jail time, with the attorney general responsible for investigating and prosecuting cases.

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 552, titled the Voter Verification Act, amends state election laws to require election officials to verify specific information in voter registration records and mandates that voters provide corrected details when needed. The bill primarily affects election administrators and registered voters by establishing new procedures for maintaining accurate voter databases. A significant provision of the legislation involves redefining various election terms, such as "primary," "political party," and "precinct," to clarify how elections are conducted and how parties are classified based on past vote totals. By updating these definitions and verification requirements, the bill aims to standardize election processes without changing the fundamental right to vote.

Maddy summaryThis legislative resolution expresses the Ohio General Assembly's opposition to the U.S. Department of Education's reinterpretation of Title IX, which changes the definition of "sex" to include gender identity. The bill specifically supports Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost's legal challenge against this federal rule, arguing that the new interpretation conflicts with existing laws and undermines protections for women in education and athletics. By formally opposing the federal agency's actions, the resolution aims to encourage the state to defend its own laws rather than comply with the new federal guidelines.