Sen. Paula Hicks-Hudson

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution honors Senator Stephanie Kunze for her distinguished service to the Ohio Senate. It formally recognizes her leadership roles, including her chairmanship of the Transportation Committee, and acknowledges her experience gained in previous legislative and local government positions. The resolution expresses appreciation for her dedication to public service and directs the Senate Clerk to send an official copy of the document to Senator Kunze.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates September 20th as Stillbirth Prevention Day to raise awareness about the issue. It does not change laws or allocate funding but serves as a commemorative resolution to honor the day. The measure directly affects state officials who would recognize this date, while the primary goal is to promote public understanding of stillbirth prevention efforts.

Maddy summaryThis constitutional amendment authorizes the state of Ohio to issue up to $2.5 billion in general obligation bonds to fund public infrastructure projects for municipalities, counties, and townships. The funds are restricted to specific capital improvements such as roads, bridges, water and wastewater systems, and waste disposal facilities, with a requirement that up to $250 million be issued each fiscal year. If voters approve the measure, the state can provide these funds through grants or loans to local governments, and the debt will be repaid using the state's taxing power over a period of up to thirty years.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a Senate resolution honoring the memory of Senator J. Kirk Schuring, who passed away after serving thirty-one years in the Ohio legislature. The text formally expresses the Senate's condolences to his family and acknowledges his long career as a dedicated public servant and effective negotiator. It highlights his legislative achievements in areas such as healthcare, economic development, and school safety, while noting his various committee roles and community involvement. The resolution concludes by directing the Senate Clerk to send a certified copy of the document to Schuring's family as a tribute to his life and legacy.

Maddy summaryHB 70 requires all public and private schools to create policies governing the administration of both prescription and over-the-counter drugs to students. For prescription medications, the bill mandates that schools establish clear rules on which staff members are authorized to administer drugs and sets strict requirements for parental consent, detailed medical instructions from prescribers, and secure storage in locked areas. The legislation also provides legal protection for school employees who follow these approved policies, shielding them from civil liability unless they act with gross negligence. Additionally, the bill gives schools the flexibility to decide whether their staff can administer over-the-counter medications and whether they require parental permission to do so.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates September 28 as "Speaker Jo Ann Davidson Day" to honor Jo Ann Davidson, the first woman to serve as Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives. The legislation establishes this specific date as an official recognition in the state calendar to acknowledge her historic achievement. It does not alter any laws or policies but serves as a commemorative measure to highlight her legacy.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates a specific stretch of Interstate 77 in Akron as the "American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. Memorial Highway" to honor mothers who lost children in military service. The law officially names the northbound and southbound lanes between Interstate 76 and Lovers Lane and authorizes the state transportation director to place markers along the road to display this new title. By changing the official name of this roadway, the legislation provides a permanent tribute to the organization without altering traffic rules or road infrastructure.

Maddy summarySB 325 establishes a Missing Children Clearinghouse within the Office of the Attorney General to serve as a central repository for information regarding missing children. This new entity will coordinate with law enforcement and schools to provide resources such as toll-free reporting lines, educational materials for students, and assistance in fingerprinting programs. The bill also creates an educational program to help schools develop safety curricula and policies related to child abduction and missing children issues. By centralizing these efforts, the legislation aims to improve the availability of information and streamline the response to missing child cases across the state.

Maddy summarySB 316 creates a program to return state sales taxes collected on beer and wine to eligible music venues and festival promoters. To qualify, these businesses must meet specific criteria such as operating in smaller communities, providing live performances regularly, and compensating artists through ticket sales or guaranteed fees. Approved applicants can receive a rebate equal to the lesser of the taxes they paid on alcohol sales or $100,000, with a total annual cap of $10 million. The law requires recipients to use these funds exclusively for recruiting performing artists and bringing live music to the state, with the director of development responsible for reviewing applications and enforcing compliance.

Maddy summarySB 307 prohibits individuals with specific criminal records, drug dependencies, or mental health adjudications from acquiring, carrying, or using firearms equipped with trigger cranks or bump-fire devices that accelerate the rate of fire of semi-automatic weapons. The bill also bans the sale, transfer, manufacture, and possession of these specific accessories by the general public, while allowing government entities to continue using them. Additionally, the legislation creates a legal process for people currently prohibited from owning firearms to petition a court for relief if they have fully served their sentences and have led a law-abiding life since their release. Violations of these new restrictions are classified as felonies, and the bill repeals previous laws that allowed for the use of such devices.