Sen. Andrew Brenner

Maddy summaryThis bill requires state higher education institutions to create a policy that excuses students from missing class if they are working as precinct election officials. Under the new rules, schools cannot penalize students academically for attending required election training or working election shifts. Students who miss exams or other assignments due to this work must receive alternative accommodations if they provide written notice to their instructor at least 24 hours in advance. Additionally, the bill mandates that colleges inform all students about these specific accommodations.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends election laws to ensure that state ballot questions are numbered consecutively based on the sequence from the previous election, resetting to number one once the count reaches 500. It also establishes a specific order for grouping local issues on ballots, such as county and municipal questions, and requires that the percentage of votes needed to pass each measure be clearly printed. Additionally, the legislation mandates that full text for ballot proposals be posted at polling places if a condensed version appears on the ballot itself. These changes aim to standardize how voters see and number ballot measures while ensuring transparency about voting requirements.

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 expands legal options for individuals who suffer injury or property damage during vandalism or riots by allowing them to file civil lawsuits against offenders and those who provided support for the acts. It enables victims to seek full compensation for damages, emotional distress, and legal fees, while also permitting courts to order offenders to personally repair damaged property or pay for the repairs. The legislation includes a specific provision holding parents financially responsible for damages caused by their minor children in these situations and protects law enforcement officials from retaliation if they enforce restrictions on riot or vandalism activities.

Maddy summarySB 263, titled "Enact Braden's Law," amends existing statutes to prohibit sexual extortion and aggravated sexual extortion while allowing families of victims of the latter to receive compensation from the crime victims compensation fund. The bill also establishes a legal process for parents or guardians of deceased users under eighteen to request disclosure of digital assets or account termination from service providers, including court-imposed penalties for non-compliance. Additionally, it expands the definition of eligible claimants for reparations to include specific categories of victims and their dependents, such as those with permanent employment ties to the state or those over sixty years old.

Maddy summaryThis legislative resolution asks the U.S. Congress, the President, and the Department of Education to exclude sexual orientation and gender identity from the definition of "sex" under Title IX. The bill directly affects federal education policies and aims to prevent the Department of Education from enforcing rules that protect individuals based on these specific characteristics. It argues that the current interpretation of Title IX harms women's sports and seeks to reverse recent guidance issued by the Office for Civil Rights. Ultimately, the measure requests that these federal agencies remove references to sexual orientation and gender identity from their Title IX regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Second Amendment Financial Privacy Act, prohibits financial institutions in Ohio from requiring merchants to use special payment codes that identify them as firearms or ammunition retailers. It prevents banks and payment processors from refusing to process credit or debit card transactions solely because a merchant sells guns or ammo. While financial institutions can still decline transactions for fraud, legal compliance, or customer requests, the law specifically bars them from using merchant category codes to distinguish firearm sellers from other businesses. The bill also establishes enforcement measures where the Attorney General can issue notices and seek court injunctions against any entity that violates these privacy protections.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows local governments and school districts facing fiscal emergencies to hold special elections in August for specific offices, questions, or issues. It also permits the state to use an August special election to place statewide ballot measures on the ballot. The legislation requires these elections to follow the same deadlines as primary or general elections and assigns the full cost to the local political subdivision or taxing authority. Additionally, the bill includes funding provisions to reimburse election boards for conducting these special elections.