Rep. Bernie Willis

Maddy summaryHB 30 requires county, municipal, and state correctional facilities to provide female inmates with free feminine hygiene products, including tampons and sanitary napkins in various sizes, based on their individual needs. The law mandates that these facilities create written policies to prevent discrimination in product distribution and establish safe procedures for storage, disposal, and hygiene. Additionally, the bill ensures that female inmates receive at least one daily shower with hot water unless the facility is facing a specific emergency, such as a riot or staff shortage. This legislation applies to all female inmates regardless of their charge, disability status, or disciplinary separation.

Maddy summaryHB 617 prohibits individuals from being forced to wear masks or other facial coverings in specific public settings, including businesses, schools, government facilities, and courts. The law defines these settings broadly to cover places like restaurants, stores, hospitals, and transportation hubs, while explicitly excluding private residences. If someone believes they have been wrongly required to wear a mask, they can sue for money damages and legal fees if they prove the violation occurred.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes rules for law enforcement agencies regarding the use of drones for surveillance. It requires officers to obtain a search warrant before using a drone to look inside a home or property, unless specific exceptions apply, such as border patrol, emergency situations, or traffic enforcement. The legislation also prohibits private individuals from using drones to spy on others without consent and mandates that agencies keep records of all drone flights. Additionally, it clarifies that while flight data is a public record, technical details about the drone's capabilities are protected from being shared during legal proceedings.

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 summaryThis bill establishes a regulatory framework for companies offering earned wage access services, which allow workers to receive a portion of their earned but unpaid income before their regular payday. It directly affects businesses that provide these financial services to employees and independent contractors in the state. The legislation requires such providers to obtain a certificate of registration from the state's financial institutions division and mandates background checks on key officers, including reviews of criminal, civil, and credit histories. Additionally, the bill sets specific fees for registration and investigation, while also integrating these providers into a nationwide multistate licensing system to streamline compliance across state lines.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the state's criminal justice procedures to allow individuals to request a new trial or postconviction relief if they present new evidence that would likely change the original verdict. It specifically mandates that courts hold resentencing hearings for offenders whose death sentences are overturned due to specific legal errors, intellectual disability findings, or changes in the law. Under the new rules, if a death penalty is vacated, the court must resentence the individual to life imprisonment or a term of at least thirty years, unless the person previously waived the right to parole. Additionally, the legislation requires the State Criminal Sentencing Commission to monitor the impact of these changes on local government costs and the state correctional system.

Maddy summaryHB 564 requires state and local law enforcement agencies to cooperate with federal immigration authorities by sharing arrestee information, detaining individuals suspected of being unlawfully present until federal custody is assumed, and participating in federal databases. The bill also mandates that local governments verify the immigration status of applicants for state and local public benefits using federal systems. To enforce these requirements, the legislation prohibits municipalities from passing ordinances that hinder cooperation with federal immigration efforts and threatens to cut off state homeland security funding to any local entity that violates these rules. Additionally, the bill defines specific terms related to law enforcement and establishes a statewide database to track criminal activity involving individuals unlawfully present in the United States.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a formal process for Ohio to appoint delegates to a national constitutional convention if Congress calls one under Article V of the U.S. Constitution. It requires the General Assembly to select an odd number of delegates who meet specific eligibility criteria, including being a state resident for five years, being at least 25, and having no recent federal lobbying or felony convictions. The legislation also creates an advisory committee to guide delegates and sets strict rules on media communications and voting procedures to ensure the state delegation acts as a unified body.

Maddy summaryHB 543 updates the rules for handling property tax payments and records when land is divided, transferred, or inherited. It requires owners to submit specific affidavits to the county auditor to prove inheritance details before transferring real estate through descent. The bill also mandates that unpaid taxes and penalties be fairly split between the new owner and the remaining part of a property when a parcel is subdivided. Additionally, it prevents individuals who owe back taxes from buying properties that have been seized due to tax delinquency. These changes aim to streamline tax record-keeping and ensure fair allocation of tax liabilities during property transactions.

Maddy summaryHB 546 requires all paper ballots used in Ohio elections to include a unique, invisible watermark that election officials can verify using special light sources or technology. This measure aims to help officials confirm that a ballot is genuine and was issued to the specific voter who cast it, particularly when reviewing absentee ballots. The bill also updates existing election laws by defining terms like "watermark" and clarifying rules for counting ballots, including provisions that prevent rejection based on ink marks other than provided pencils. By establishing these verification standards, the legislation seeks to streamline the process for identifying fraudulent or mismatched ballots without altering how voters mark their choices.