Maddy summaryHB 552, titled the Voter Verification Act, amends state election laws to require election officials to verify specific information in voter registration records and mandates that voters provide corrected details when needed. The bill primarily affects election administrators and registered voters by establishing new procedures for maintaining accurate voter databases. A significant provision of the legislation involves redefining various election terms, such as "primary," "political party," and "precinct," to clarify how elections are conducted and how parties are classified based on past vote totals. By updating these definitions and verification requirements, the bill aims to standardize election processes without changing the fundamental right to vote.
Sponsored bills
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 526 directs the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services to create new rules governing the Ohio Works First program, which provides cash assistance to low-income families with children. These rules will establish specific standards for eligibility, payment amounts, and the verification of income and citizenship for applicants and participants. The bill also outlines requirements for work activities, self-sufficiency contracts, and procedures for handling sanctions or errors in payments. Additionally, it defines key terms such as "countable income" and "strike" to ensure consistency in how the program is administered across the state.
Maddy summaryHB 532 expands the legal definition of "peace officer" to include municipal court bailiffs and probation officers, thereby extending the same legal protections to these roles that currently apply to other law enforcement and public safety workers. The bill also increases penalties for anyone who assaults these newly included officials or other court employees while they are performing their official duties. By categorizing attacks on these individuals as more serious crimes, the legislation aims to strengthen protections for court staff and probation officers against physical harm.
Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits individuals who are unlawfully present in the United States from possessing, carrying, or using firearms. It expands existing state laws that currently bar specific groups, such as felons and those with certain mental health or substance abuse issues, from owning guns. Violating this prohibition is classified as a third-degree felony. The legislation also outlines a legal process allowing some individuals to petition a court for relief from firearm disabilities if they have led a law-abiding life since their disqualification.
Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes county auditors to create local programs that test the quality of gasoline and diesel sold at retail stations. Under the new rules, designated inspectors would check fuel for water, sediment, and octane levels, requiring dealers to provide access to their pumps and storage tanks for these checks. If a station fails to meet specific standards, such as having too much water in the fuel or incorrect octane levels, the inspector can issue an order to stop sales and potentially impose civil penalties. The bill also mandates that all test results be shared with the state director of agriculture and made available to the public online, while allowing counties that already have such programs to continue operating them.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance plans in the state to cover prostate cancer screenings for men who are at least forty years old and considered high-risk. Eligibility for this coverage is based on having a family history of prostate cancer or a personal diagnosis of a genetic alteration linked to increased risk. The law mandates that these screenings, which include tests like prostate-specific antigen checks and digital rectal examinations, be provided without any cost-sharing requirements such as copayments or deductibles. Additionally, the state insurance superintendent must create specific rules to define the types of tests covered and ensure screenings occur at least once every year.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires the director of commerce to create and distribute a poster detailing various benefits and services available to veterans in Ohio. The poster must include information on programs like mental health treatment, educational resources, tax exemptions, and the armed forces designation on driver's licenses. Employers are permitted to display this poster in a visible area where employees can easily access it, and the state will provide copies to businesses free of charge.
Maddy summaryHB 522 establishes a new repeat offender classification to increase penalties for specific firearm offenses and expands the scope of relief from firearms disabilities. The bill also allows for the automatic sealing of records for fourth and fifth-degree felonies. Additionally, it mandates that law enforcement agencies collect and file detailed criminal identification data, including fingerprints and photographs, for individuals convicted of certain crimes and for children adjudicated delinquent for violent acts. Courts are required to submit weekly reports summarizing case details to the state bureau to support this enhanced tracking system.
Maddy summaryThis bill proposes adding a constitutional amendment to Ohio that would cap annual property tax increases for individual property owners at four percent. The limit is calculated based on the previous year's tax bill plus the lower of the actual inflation rate or four percent, ensuring taxes do not rise faster than these benchmarks. The measure includes specific exceptions for situations like property division, the loss of tax exemptions, or new construction, while also prohibiting government entities from creating fees or special jurisdictions to bypass the cap. If passed by voters, the amendment would allow taxpayers to sue for enforcement, with courts instructed to rule in favor of the taxpayer when doubts exist and to award legal fees to successful plaintiffs.