Sen. Kent Smith

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution honors John D. Whaley for his dedicated service to the State of Ohio. It recognizes his nine years with the Ohio State Highway Patrol and his subsequent work as a sergeant-at-arms for the Senate, where he supported members of the General Assembly. The bill formally commends his contributions and instructs the Senate Clerk to send an official copy of the resolution to him.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a Senate resolution that formally honors Senator Matthew Dolan for his distinguished service to the Ohio Senate. It recognizes his long tenure, professional background, and leadership roles within the chamber, including his time as chair of the Finance Committee. The resolution expresses appreciation for his dedication to public service and instructs the Senate Clerk to send an official copy of the document to Senator Dolan.

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 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 summaryThis bill removes the mandate requiring the Department of Transportation to build specific interstate interchanges in Northeast Ohio. Instead, it directs the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency to conduct a traffic congestion study covering a defined area around Interstate Route 81. The study must be finished by December and its findings reported to state leaders and local officials in Strongsville, North Royalton, and Brunswick. The report may also suggest solutions to manage any traffic issues identified during the review.

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 321 changes how liability is assigned in lawsuits involving food that causes injury or death due to harmful substances. Instead of automatically holding food sellers responsible, the bill requires a jury to decide if the injured person reasonably expected the food to be safe when they ate it. This "reasonable expectation" test applies to both retail food establishments and suppliers who place food into the market. The law specifically defines "food" and "supplier" using existing definitions from the Revised Code to determine who is covered by this new standard.

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.