Sen. Kent Smith

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 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 bill allows Ohio counties to impose a new transfer tax on the sale of real estate and manufactured homes to generate revenue for local housing initiatives. Counties must hold public hearings before adopting this tax, which would be paid by the seller at the time of the property transfer. The collected funds would first cover administrative costs, with the remainder split between the county's general fund and a dedicated housing fund. Money in the housing fund must be used for specific programs such as low-income housing, first-time home buyer assistance, disability housing, or transition housing.

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.

Maddy summarySB 106 amends state laws to establish specific prison sentence ranges for individuals convicted of various felony offenses. The bill requires courts to impose definite minimum prison terms for first, second, and third-degree felonies, while also setting specific sentence lengths for fourth and fifth-degree crimes. Additionally, it mandates longer prison terms when a felony is committed with a firearm, particularly if the weapon is automatic or if the offender has a prior criminal record involving guns. This legislation directly affects judges, prosecutors, and defendants by standardizing sentencing guidelines to ensure more consistent punishment for violent and weapon-related crimes.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a Senate resolution that formally honors Michael A. Rulli for his service as a member of the Ohio Senate. It recognizes his leadership roles, including his committee chairmanships and his work representing constituents in Columbiana and Mahoning counties. The resolution commends his professional achievements and expresses good wishes for his future, with a copy of the document to be sent to him by the Senate Clerk.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes the time limit for prosecuting rape cases and filing civil lawsuits by victims of such conduct, ensuring these actions can be pursued regardless of how much time has passed since the incident occurred. It also establishes specific rules for other crimes, such as allowing prosecutions for certain offenses to begin within five years of discovery if the victim or their representative did not know the crime happened sooner. Additionally, the legislation includes provisions that pause the time limit if the evidence of the crime remains undiscovered or if the accused tries to avoid being prosecuted.

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, known as the CAMPUS Act, requires Ohio institutions of higher education to adopt and enforce policies addressing racial, religious, and ethnic bias, harassment, and intimidation. Colleges and universities must train their staff on responding to hate incidents, establish procedures for investigating complaints with options for anonymous reporting, and create task forces to combat antisemitism and Islamophobia. The legislation also mandates a uniform reporting system for hate incidents and directs the state to establish two new grant programs: one to fund security measures and another to support intergroup outreach and cultural competency. Additionally, the bill requires state agencies to adopt policies preventing antisemitism and includes funding to support these initiatives.