Rep. Don Jones

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes a specialty license plate featuring Dolly Parton's Imagination Library logo. Money collected from drivers who choose this plate goes into a state fund and is distributed to various organizations, including cancer research groups, educational foundations, and youth development programs. The legislation also directs specific funds to scholarships for students attending certain universities, both within Ohio and out of state. By creating this plate, the state provides a way for vehicle owners to contribute directly to these designated causes.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Office of Data Analytics and Archives within the Secretary of State's office to manage voter registration and election data. It requires state agencies like the Department of Health and the Bureau of Motor Vehicles to share specific data with the Secretary of State monthly to help maintain an accurate statewide voter registration database. The legislation also mandates that the office retain, analyze, and publish certain business services data while strictly prohibiting the sale of any information or its use for profit. Additionally, the bill outlines rules for sharing confidential data with other states and authorized organizations for legitimate governmental purposes related to election administration.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits local governments in Ohio from requiring firearm liability insurance or charging fees for the possession of firearms and knives. It asserts that owning these items is a fundamental right and declares any local rules mandating insurance or fees as null and void. The legislation also allows individuals to sue local governments for damages and legal costs if they enforce conflicting ordinances. However, the law does not prevent cities from using zoning regulations to restrict where firearms and knives can be sold commercially.

Maddy summaryHB 106, known as the Pay Stub Protection Act, requires employers to provide every employee with a clear statement detailing their earnings and deductions for each pay period. This written or electronic document must include specific information such as the employee's name and address, the employer's name, total gross and net wages, a breakdown of all additions or deductions, and for hourly workers, the total hours worked, hourly rate, and any overtime hours. If an employer fails to provide this statement upon request, the employee can report the violation to the director of commerce, who may then issue a public notice to the employer. The bill directly affects all employers and their employees by standardizing pay transparency and establishing a process for addressing non-compliance.

Maddy summaryHB 364 updates state laws to exempt non-commercial seed sharing from strict labeling, inspection, and advertising rules, allowing individuals to exchange seeds without facing commercial regulations. The bill also modifies requirements for removing specific noxious weeds found on toll roads, railroads, and electric railways. To support these changes, the legislation clarifies and expands the legal definitions of various seed terms, such as "hybrid," "germination," and "noxious weeds," to ensure consistent understanding across the state. These adjustments aim to balance the facilitation of personal seed exchange with the continued management of invasive plant species on public infrastructure.

Maddy summarySB 237 enacts the Uniform Public Expression Protection Act to shield individuals from civil lawsuits when they speak out on matters of public concern, such as issues discussed in government proceedings. The law specifically protects communications made in legislative, executive, judicial, or administrative settings, as well as the exercise of constitutional rights like free speech and assembly. To support this protection, the bill requires courts to quickly dismiss or pause legal cases that threaten these rights, limiting discovery and hearings until the claim is resolved. However, the protections do not apply to lawsuits against government officials acting in their official capacity or to businesses being sued regarding their sale of goods or services.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies how the state handles childhood sexual abuse registrants and child abuse reporting by shifting the penalty for failing to register from criminal to civil, while removing restrictions on where these individuals can live. It also establishes a new crime called grooming and extends the time limits for prosecuting violations of laws requiring the reporting of child abuse or neglect. Specifically, the legislation sets longer windows for legal action in cases involving DNA matches, fraud, or when victims discover the offense later, ensuring that prosecutions can occur even years after the original incident.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Ohio school districts to include a specific exception in their open enrollment policies for children of active-duty military members. Under the new rules, districts must allow these military children to apply for enrollment without facing the usual restrictions that apply to students from other districts. The legislation defines "active duty member" as anyone serving in the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard on full-time duty. While the bill outlines general procedures for admitting out-of-district students, it mandates that military families be treated as a distinct category eligible for enrollment regardless of the district's standard open enrollment limits.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a commemorative resolution honoring the memory of Jerry W. Krupinski, a former coal miner, insurance professional, and long-serving Ohio state representative. It formally expresses the House of Representatives' sympathy to his family and acknowledges his contributions to public service and community organizations. The resolution directs the Clerk to send an official copy of the tribute to Krupinski's family, serving as a formal record of respect rather than enacting new policy.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes adding a new section to the Ohio Constitution to allow the state to issue up to $2.5 billion in general obligation bonds for public infrastructure projects. The funds would be used to build or improve roads, bridges, water and wastewater systems, and waste disposal facilities for cities, counties, and townships. If approved by voters, the state could borrow money over ten years to finance these projects, with the full faith and credit of the state pledged to repay the debt. The legislation also specifies that the borrowed money must be used strictly for infrastructure and that the bonds would be exempt from state taxes.