Rep. Scott Wiggam

Maddy summaryHB 602 exempts home education learning pods from county and township zoning restrictions that would otherwise limit where they can be located. The bill prevents local zoning boards from imposing extra rules specifically targeting these groups, though it maintains the requirement that properties must still meet general zoning standards applicable to all buildings. Additionally, the legislation updates definitions within child care regulations to clarify terms such as "child care," "child day camp," and "chartered nonpublic school." These changes directly affect families organizing home education pods and local governments responsible for zoning and child care oversight.

Maddy summaryHB 684 proposes to ban the use of ranked choice voting for all elections in the state, including federal, state, and local offices. The bill defines ranked choice voting as a system where voters rank candidates by preference and ballots are counted in multiple rounds until a winner is determined. If passed, this legislation would prevent election officials from using this alternative voting method in any future elections within the jurisdiction.

Maddy summaryHB 671, titled the America First Act, amends Ohio's criminal sentencing laws to allow judges to impose community control sanctions on individuals convicted of certain driving under the influence offenses. This bill affects courts, probation departments, and offenders facing fourth-degree or higher felony OVI charges by giving judges the option to add community control to mandatory prison time or fines. Under the new provisions, offenders must adhere to strict conditions such as random drug testing, staying within the state, and avoiding drug use, with supervision provided by county probation departments or the adult parole authority. The legislation also establishes a reporting system where program administrators must notify courts or probation officers immediately if an offender violates any conditions or leaves the jurisdiction without permission.

Maddy summaryHB 390 updates the rules for handling leftover money from property foreclosure sales in Ohio. When a sale generates more money than needed to pay debts, the court clerk must notify the property owner about the surplus balance. The bill establishes specific mailing procedures and timelines for delivering these notices, depending on whether the balance is large or small and whether the owner's address is known. If the owner does not claim the funds within a set period, the money is treated as unclaimed property and handled according to existing state laws.

Maddy summaryHB 666, titled the Protecting Ohio Communities Act, requires state and local authorities to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement and prohibits municipalities from passing laws that hinder this cooperation. The bill mandates that local police share arrestee information with federal agencies and detain individuals unlawfully present in the U.S. until they are transferred to federal custody. Additionally, it requires government entities to verify the immigration status of applicants for public benefits using federal databases. Municipalities that fail to comply with these requirements or enact conflicting ordinances risk losing state homeland security funding.

Maddy summaryHB 654, known as the STORK Act, proposes changes to Ohio's personal income tax code by creating a new exemption and credit specifically for conceived children. The bill would also redefine how "adjusted gross income" is calculated for state tax purposes by adding certain interest and dividends while deducting others, such as those related to federal tax-exempt obligations and specific social security benefits. Additionally, the legislation expands deductions for medical care insurance and long-term care expenses, including adjustments for dependents who do not meet standard federal income limits. These provisions aim to align state tax calculations more closely with federal definitions while offering targeted relief for families and specific financial situations.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a commemorative resolution honoring the late Jo Ann Davidson, a former Ohio state legislator who served as the first female Speaker of the House. It formally expresses the House of Representatives' condolences to her family and acknowledges her significant contributions to Ohio public service and leadership. The resolution directs the Clerk to send an official copy of the document to Davidson's family as a gesture of respect.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates September as Veterans Suicide Awareness and Prevention Day to highlight the issue of suicide among military veterans. The legislation amends the state code to officially recognize this specific month for awareness and prevention efforts, replacing any previous designations. By establishing this annual observance, the bill aims to increase public focus on mental health resources and support systems for veterans. The change is administrative and does not alter existing funding or create new programs, serving primarily as a symbolic gesture to promote dialogue on the topic.

Maddy summaryThis bill strengthens protections against fraudulent business filings and deceptive mailings by requiring third-party service providers to clearly label their communications as advertisements and provide specific contact information. It prohibits these entities from including names or addresses on official documents without the explicit consent of the individuals involved and bans any language that makes filings appear to be issued by a government agency. The legislation also establishes a formal complaint process where affected individuals can report violations to the secretary of state, who is then authorized to investigate and refer potential criminal cases to prosecutors.

Maddy summaryHB 214 establishes detailed requirements for community schools in Ohio by mandating that their contracts with sponsors include specific provisions regarding student attendance, financial auditing, and nonsectarian operations. The bill requires these schools to maintain licensed classroom teachers while allowing limited exceptions for noncertificated staff and mandates that they provide at least 920 hours of learning annually to a minimum of 25 students. Additionally, the legislation outlines strict rules for facility usage, insurance coverage, and compliance with state education standards, ensuring that community schools operate with the same accountability measures as traditional school districts.