Sen. Theresa Gavarone

Maddy summaryThis bill allows mothers who are breastfeeding infants one year of age or younger to be excused from jury service. It achieves this by adding breastfeeding to the list of conditions that constitute "undue or extreme physical or financial hardship" under existing state laws. To qualify for an exemption, a mother only needs to provide a signed affidavit stating she is breastfeeding, which serves as sufficient documentation for the court. The exemption applies only for the specific jury year in which the request is made and does not grant permanent immunity from future jury duty.

Maddy summaryHB 2 amends state laws to allow the Ohio Department of Transportation to provide loans, grants, and credit support to local governments for specific infrastructure projects. These projects include building or improving roads, bridges, water systems, and waste disposal facilities that benefit communities. The bill requires that any financial assistance be approved by local committees and stay within the district's allocated budget from the state capital improvements fund. By defining terms like "capital improvement" and "credit enhancement," the legislation clarifies how state funds can be used to help local subdivisions finance public works.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates a specific stretch of Refugee Road in Fairfield County as the "Cpl. David A. Johnston Memorial Highway" to honor Corporal David A. Johnston. The affected roadway runs between State Route 256 and Pickerington Road Northwest, and the state transportation director is authorized to install signs marking the new name. This change is purely commemorative and does not alter traffic rules, funding, or any other operational aspects of the road.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates a specific stretch of United States Route 33 in Fairfield County as the "Lance Corporal James F. Kimple Memorial Highway" to honor Lance Corporal James F. Kimple. The legislation officially changes the name of the road segment located between Coonpath Road Northwest and Pickerington Road Northwest. It also authorizes the director of transportation to install signs along the highway to display the new memorial name.

Maddy summarySB 117 establishes two new academic entities at Ohio State University and the University of Toledo to focus on American constitutional thought, civics, and leadership. The bill creates the Salmon P. Chase Center for Civics, Culture, and Society at Ohio State and the Institute of American Constitutional Thought and Leadership at the University of Toledo, both of which will offer specific courses, develop degree programs, and host events related to free speech and civil discourse. These new units are designed to recruit faculty with diverse intellectual backgrounds, appoint directors with tenure protections, and operate with a dedicated academic council to oversee hiring and curriculum development. The legislation also includes funding to support the creation of these centers and their initial operations within the respective universities.

Maddy summaryThis Ohio Senate Resolution urges the U.S. Congress and the Department of Veterans Affairs to prioritize mental health care for military personnel and veterans suffering from PTSD and other service-related stress disorders. The bill calls for prompt and comprehensive diagnosis and treatment, emphasizing that only qualified medical professionals should approve such care. It also requests that the government fully implement recommendations to consider mental health conditions before separating service members for misconduct and advocates for correcting discharge records for those separated due to mental health issues. Additionally, the resolution states that a veteran's civilian income should not affect their eligibility for healthcare benefits.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution expresses support for consumer choice in Ohio's automotive market by opposing government mandates that would require the transition to all-electric vehicles. The bill argues that such mandates would harm consumers by limiting affordable options, threaten jobs in the internal combustion engine sector, and strain the state's electricity infrastructure. It urges the Biden Administration to ensure federal regulations do not directly or indirectly force the purchase of electric vehicles. The resolution is a symbolic statement of principle rather than a law that creates new rules or penalties.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution formally congratulates Kwest Group, a construction company based in Perrysburg, Ohio, for being named the 2024 Contractor of the Year by Associated Builders and Contractors. The bill highlights the company's achievements in corporate integrity, safety, veteran hiring, and employee well-being as the reasons for this national recognition. It does not create new laws or change policies but serves as an official commendation from the Ohio Senate to the organization. The resolution directs the Senate Clerk to send a certified copy of the document to Kwest Group to acknowledge their contributions to the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows courts to issue child support orders for children over the age of 18 who have a disability, extending financial support beyond the typical age of majority. It applies to parents involved in divorce, legal separation, or annulment proceedings and ensures that support continues as long as the child's disability-related needs persist. The legislation requires courts to calculate these support amounts using existing state guidelines that account for the child's medical and care expenses. By removing the age limit for disabled minors, the bill aims to provide ongoing financial assistance for adult children with disabilities who rely on their parents for care.

Maddy summarySB 186 updates the rules for handling property tax payments and records when land is split, subdivided, or transferred. It requires county auditors to formally update tax records to reflect new ownership details and ensures that unpaid taxes and penalties are fairly divided between the original owner and any new partial owners based on the value of the land. The bill also prevents owners who owe back taxes from buying properties that have been seized due to non-payment. These changes aim to clarify how tax liabilities are managed during property transactions and ensure accurate record-keeping for local governments.