Rep. Bill Dean

Maddy summaryHB 89 strengthens the Ohio Board of Nursing's authority to discipline nurses and dialysis technicians who commit fraud, engage in substance abuse, or fail to meet safety standards. The bill allows the board to impose penalties such as license revocation, fines, or reprimands for specific misconduct, including assaulting patients, misusing drugs, or practicing while impaired by alcohol or mental health issues. It also prohibits advanced practice nurses from advertising or waiving patient copayments as an incentive to receive care. These changes aim to ensure public safety by providing clearer grounds for disciplinary action against healthcare professionals who violate ethical or legal obligations.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows county commissioners to contract with an engineer from another county to fill vacant engineering positions when local elections or appointments fail to produce a replacement. It permits a single individual to serve as the county engineer for multiple adjacent counties and establishes a system for supplemental pay based on population size when an engineer works in a county other than their home jurisdiction. Additionally, the legislation sets new standards for real estate deeds, requiring specific boundary survey plats for split or altered land parcels before they are recorded. The bill also creates a mechanism for counties where engineers hold private engineering licenses to designate a substitute official to perform public duties while the primary engineer avoids potential conflicts of interest. Finally, it mandates that county auditors and engineers jointly adopt and publicly review standards for property conveyances to ensure compliance before deeds are transferred.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a resolution honoring the memory of Barbara C. Pringle, a former Cleveland City Council member and long-serving Ohio state representative. It formally acknowledges her contributions to public service and directs the House Clerk to send a copy of the tribute to her family. The measure does not enact new laws or policies but serves as a ceremonial gesture to express sympathy and respect for her life and legacy.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a commemorative resolution that honors Laura Battocletti on her retirement from her role as executive director of the Ohio Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board. It recognizes her distinguished career in public service, which includes previous leadership positions with the Ohio House of Representatives and the Ohio Casino Control Commission. The text formally commends her dedication and instructs the House Clerk to send an official copy of the resolution to her as a gesture of appreciation.

Maddy summaryHB 695 allows electric utilities to charge the same residential rates for separately metered structures on a property, such as guest houses or workshops, as long as they are not used for commercial purposes. The bill applies only to retail electric customers and explicitly excludes any structures dedicated to business activities. To enforce this, the state must create rules that include inspections to verify that these secondary structures remain non-commercial.

Maddy summaryHB 542 creates a new "Blanchester Wildcats" specialty license plate for Ohio motorists. Money collected from owners who choose this plate will be distributed to various organizations, including the Blanchester Local School District, cancer research and support groups, and several universities to provide scholarships for Ohio residents attending those schools. The bill also establishes specific rules for how each recipient must use the funds, such as limiting certain cancer funds to patient assistance and prohibiting the use of money for abortion-related activities.

Maddy summaryThis bill restricts state low-income housing tax credits to projects that verify the immigration status of their tenants. To qualify for the credit, property owners must obtain a written declaration confirming they will screen prospective tenants for legal presence in the United States and require proof of status, such as a birth certificate, passport, or driver's license. The owner must keep copies of these documents on file and allow the attorney general to access them for investigation purposes. If a project fails to comply with these verification requirements, the state agency can revoke the tax credit for the non-compliant housing units, though the owner may regain eligibility for those units once they are brought back into compliance.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Ohio law to allow victims of criminal acts to sue for damages without requiring the perpetrator to have been convicted, pleaded guilty, or adjudicated delinquent for the specific offense. Under the new rules, anyone injured by a crime can recover full damages and associated costs in a civil lawsuit, even if the criminal case against the perpetrator was never resolved or resulted in an acquittal. The legislation also establishes that a final criminal conviction for violent offenses can be used as evidence in civil court to prevent the defendant from denying those facts. Additionally, the bill clarifies that public officials and employees must generally avoid receiving outside compensation for work related to their official duties, with specific filing requirements and disqualification rules for exceptions.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates specific days and weeks in Ohio to honor agriculture, including Farmer's Day, FFA Week, 4-H Week, and Ohio Soil Health Week. It also updates the rules for deputy apiarists, who inspect bee hives, by clarifying their appointment process, compensation, and reporting requirements to the state director of agriculture. The legislation establishes that these deputies serve at the pleasure of the county board and must submit inspection reports and expense claims for director approval before receiving payment. Additionally, the bill repeals an older, conflicting section of the Revised Code regarding these agricultural designations.

Maddy summaryThis bill formally recognizes Jay Edwards for his distinguished service as a member of the Ohio House of Representatives. It commends his leadership roles, including chairing the Finance Committee, and acknowledges his background as a small business owner and realtor. The resolution directs the House Clerk to send an official copy of this commendation to Edwards, serving as a ceremonial honor rather than a change in law or policy.