Rep. Brian Lampton

Maddy summaryThis bill allows mothers who are breastfeeding infants one year of age or younger to be excused from jury service. It achieves this by adding breastfeeding to the list of conditions that constitute "undue or extreme physical or financial hardship" under existing state laws. To qualify for an exemption, a mother only needs to provide a signed affidavit stating she is breastfeeding, which serves as sufficient documentation for the court. The exemption applies only for the specific jury year in which the request is made and does not grant permanent immunity from future jury duty.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a state-level resolution from the Ohio House of Representatives that urges the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to withdraw its proposed rules on greenhouse gas emissions from power plants. The measure asks Congress to pass legislation preventing these regulations from taking effect, citing concerns that they rely on unproven technologies and unrealistic timelines that could harm energy reliability and economic stability. By transmitting copies of the resolution to federal officials and the media, the Ohio delegation seeks to formally express its opposition to the EPA's regulatory authority in this area.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires hospitals in the state to publish a list of standard charges for services that patients can schedule in advance, known as shoppable services. Hospitals must make this list available in a machine-readable format and update it to include at least 400 services within two years, increasing to 500 services within four years. The legislation also restricts hospitals from selling or using personal data collected from their online price tools for targeted advertising. Additionally, the state health director is tasked with monitoring compliance and maintaining a public list of hospitals that fail to meet these new requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands eligibility for a state homeownership savings program to include active-duty military members who are residents of the state. It allows these service members to open savings accounts for home down payments and closing costs once they have filed permanent change of station orders. The legislation also requires state officials to report annually on the program's performance, including the number of accounts created and total funds contributed.

Maddy summaryHB 477 updates Ohio's Aeronautics Law to officially include seaplane bases, heliports, vertiports, and spaceports alongside traditional airports. The bill expands legal definitions to cover these newer facilities and requires the Department of Transportation to approve their use for commercial purposes before they operate. It also mandates that pilots operating aircraft in the state must hold a valid license and present it upon request, while maintaining existing rules for public access to publicly funded aviation sites.

Maddy summaryHB 380 designates specific highways and bridges across multiple Ohio counties with memorial names to honor individuals who served in law enforcement, the military, or firefighting. The bill authorizes the state director of transportation to install official markers along these roads and bridges to display the new names. Directly affected parties include the general public traveling on these routes and the families of the honored individuals, while the Ohio Department of Transportation is responsible for implementing the signage. This legislation does not alter traffic laws, funding, or road maintenance responsibilities but serves primarily as a commemorative measure.

Maddy summaryHB 378 expands the definition of a qualifying homestead to include surviving spouses of service members who were killed in the line of duty, allowing them to receive a full property tax exemption. The bill specifically defines "killed in the line of duty" to cover deaths from injuries sustained during service, including heart attacks or illnesses caused by service-related stress. To be eligible, the surviving spouse must occupy the home and acquire ownership after the service member's death, provided the deceased was not discharged under dishonorable conditions. This legislation aims to provide financial relief to families of fallen service members by reducing their real estate tax burdens.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires state agencies, political subdivisions, and nonresidential construction contractors to use the E-Verify system to confirm the identity and legal work eligibility of their employees. It applies to public contractors and subcontractors working on construction or maintenance projects, as well as private employers with 75 or more workers and nonresidential construction companies. While the law mandates verification for all new hires and assigned workers, it allows for a waiver if an employee's status was previously confirmed by the same employer. Contracts that do not include these verification provisions are considered void, and agencies found in violation face a fine of five thousand dollars per incident.

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 summarySB 106 amends state laws to establish specific prison sentence ranges for individuals convicted of various felony offenses. The bill requires courts to impose definite minimum prison terms for first, second, and third-degree felonies, while also setting specific sentence lengths for fourth and fifth-degree crimes. Additionally, it mandates longer prison terms when a felony is committed with a firearm, particularly if the weapon is automatic or if the offender has a prior criminal record involving guns. This legislation directly affects judges, prosecutors, and defendants by standardizing sentencing guidelines to ensure more consistent punishment for violent and weapon-related crimes.