Rep. Jeff LaRe

Maddy summaryThis bill, titled "In memory of Brigid Kelly," is a commemorative resolution honoring the late Ohio state representative and Hamilton County auditor. It formally expresses the House of Representatives' condolences and pays tribute to Kelly's public service, including her work on eliminating the "pink tax" and her leadership as minority whip. The resolution also directs the Clerk to send a copy of the document to Kelly's family as a gesture of respect.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a commemorative resolution honoring the memory of Charles F. Kurfess, a former Ohio state representative and lawyer. It formally expresses the House of Representatives' condolences to his family and acknowledges his service as Speaker of the House, his military duty in the Korean War, and his long career in law. The resolution directs the Clerk to send an official copy of the tribute to Kurfess's family, serving as a formal record of respect rather than enacting new laws or policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a resolution honoring the memory of Darrell W. Opfer, a former public official and community leader from Ohio. It formally expresses the House of Representatives' sympathy to his family and acknowledges his service as a teacher, county commissioner, state representative, and Peace Corps volunteer. The resolution directs the Clerk of the House to send an authenticated copy of the tribute to Opfer's family.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a commemorative resolution honoring the memory of Dr. Samuel Wallace Speck, Jr., a former Ohio legislator and public servant. It formally recognizes his contributions to his community and family while expressing the House's sympathy to his loved ones. The resolution directs the Clerk to send an official copy of the document to Speck's family as a gesture of respect.

Maddy summaryHR 651 is a commemorative resolution honoring Senator J. Kirk Schuring following his death. The bill expresses the House of Representatives' sympathies to his family and acknowledges his thirty-one years of service in the Ohio legislature, including his roles as acting speaker and president pro tempore. It also highlights his community involvement and directs the Clerk to send a copy of the resolution to his family. This measure serves as a formal tribute rather than establishing new laws or policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a commemorative resolution honoring the memory of Dan Ramos, a late Ohio state representative and the first Latino to hold a legislative leadership position in either party. It formally recognizes his contributions to the community and his career, which included serving as a page, aide, and policy analyst before his election to the House. The resolution expresses the House's condolences to his family and directs the Clerk to send an official copy of the tribute to them. This measure is purely symbolic and does not alter any laws or policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Organized Retail Theft Advisory Council and a dedicated investigative task force to address organized retail theft and cargo theft across the state. It creates a new crime specifically for the theft of mail and expands existing theft penalties to include the unlawful taking of commercial freight moving through various modes of transport, such as trucks, railroads, and aircraft. The legislation sets up a funding mechanism to reimburse local law enforcement for their participation in these task forces and requires that task force staff include representatives from local sheriffs, municipal police, and prosecutors.

Maddy summaryHB 265 amends the state's Public Records Law to explicitly exempt certain sensitive categories of information from mandatory public disclosure. The bill directly affects state agencies and public officials by clarifying that they are solely responsible for their own records and are not automatically considered parties in legal litigation unless they choose to intervene or are specifically named. It expands the list of confidential records to include detailed residential and familial information for designated public service workers, alongside existing protections for medical, law enforcement, and other private data. By codifying these exemptions, the legislation ensures that personal details of specific workers and various other confidential files remain shielded from public access under the state's open records statutes.

Maddy summaryHB 37 amends Ohio law to increase penalties for operating a vehicle or watercraft while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The bill specifically raises the legal blood alcohol concentration limit for drivers under twenty-one years old and establishes specific thresholds for various controlled substances, including marijuana, cocaine, and methamphetamine, that constitute impairment. These changes directly affect individuals who operate vehicles or watercraft while impaired, subjecting them to stricter legal consequences if they exceed the new limits. By defining precise chemical concentrations for different substances, the legislation aims to clarify what constitutes a violation for law enforcement and the courts.

Maddy summaryHB 206 amends Ohio law to clarify and expand the procedures for suspending and expelling public school students who bring dangerous items to campus. The bill requires school officials to provide written notice and an informal hearing before issuing an out-of-school suspension, while also mandating that students complete missed assignments without receiving failing grades solely due to the suspension. It establishes specific expulsion terms, such as a one-year ban for bringing a firearm to school or an interscholastic event, and allows school boards to adopt resolutions permitting expulsions for bringing certain knives. Additionally, the legislation outlines how remaining suspension or expulsion time should be handled if the school year ends before the full period is served, offering community service as an alternative to carrying over the penalty.