Sen. Mark Romanchuk

Maddy summarySB 3 would replace Ohio's current progressive income tax system with a flat 2.75% rate over two years. It directly affects all Ohio residents and businesses earning income in the state, including individuals, trusts, and estates. The bill eliminates the current tax brackets (which tax higher incomes at increasingly higher rates) and sets a single tax rate of 2.75% on taxable income. This change aims to simplify the tax code and provide uniform tax relief for all income levels, though the bill does not alter the current tax base or exemptions.

Maddy summaryThis is a commemorative resolution (SR 4), not a policy bill. The Ohio Senate adopted it on January 13, 2025, to honor Ben Espy, a former Columbus City Council member and Ohio State Senator who served for two decades. The resolution recognizes his career as an attorney, public servant, and community leader, including his work with the Columbus Youth Corps and MLK Holiday Celebration. It expresses the Senate's condolences to his family and commemorates his contributions to Ohio.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate Resolution (SR 5) honoring Phil Cummins upon his retirement from the Ohio Legislative Service Commission (LSC). It recognizes his 21-year tenure as a senior economist and nonpartisan resource for Ohio legislators, highlighting his contributions to drafting, research, and fiscal analysis. The resolution formally praises his dedication, leadership, and service to the LSC, which supports all members of the Ohio General Assembly. It does not create any new laws or policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a Senate resolution honoring Senator Robert D. Hackett for his distinguished service to the Ohio Senate. It recognizes his contributions through various committee roles and his dedication to public service, noting his bipartisan respect among colleagues. The resolution formally applauds his tenure and directs the Senate Clerk to send an authenticated copy of the document to Senator Hackett.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the director of commerce to create a poster detailing various benefits and services available to veterans, such as mental health support, tax exemptions, and educational resources. Employers in the state are permitted to display this poster in a visible area where all employees can access it, and the director will provide copies to businesses free of charge. The legislation aims to increase awareness of veteran support programs by making this information readily available in the workplace.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the New African Immigrants Grant and Gift Fund within the state treasury to manage financial contributions specifically designated for new African immigrants. The fund will be financed through grants, gifts, and legislative appropriations, with any investment earnings automatically added to the balance. The New African Immigrants Commission is authorized to use these resources to support its official duties and operations.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Organized Retail Theft Advisory Council and a dedicated investigative task force to address organized retail theft and cargo theft across the state. It creates a new crime specifically for the theft of mail and expands existing theft penalties to include the unlawful taking of commercial freight moving through various modes of transport, such as trucks, railroads, and aircraft. The legislation sets up a funding mechanism to reimburse local law enforcement for their participation in these task forces and requires that task force staff include representatives from local sheriffs, municipal police, and prosecutors.

Maddy summaryHB 37 amends Ohio law to increase penalties for operating a vehicle or watercraft while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The bill specifically raises the legal blood alcohol concentration limit for drivers under twenty-one years old and establishes specific thresholds for various controlled substances, including marijuana, cocaine, and methamphetamine, that constitute impairment. These changes directly affect individuals who operate vehicles or watercraft while impaired, subjecting them to stricter legal consequences if they exceed the new limits. By defining precise chemical concentrations for different substances, the legislation aims to clarify what constitutes a violation for law enforcement and the courts.

Maddy summaryHB 173 requires hospitals to publish detailed price information for all their items and services in a digital format that computers can easily read. This rule mandates that hospitals list specific costs, such as the highest and lowest negotiated rates with insurance companies, as well as the price for patients paying with cash. The bill also establishes "Ohio Black Media Week" and "Older Ohioans Month" to recognize contributions to the state. Additionally, the legislation includes definitions for terms related to hospital pricing and data privacy to support these transparency requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 77 establishes a legal process for public-use airports in Ohio to sell abandoned or derelict aircraft that have remained on airport property for at least 90 consecutive days without payment of fees. The bill defines an abandoned aircraft as one located at a public airport where the owner has not paid tie-down, hangar, rent, or storage costs for the specified period. It also creates a lien system that allows repair shops and storage providers to secure payment for labor, materials, and storage by filing an affidavit with the Federal Aviation Administration. Additionally, the bill outlines specific steps for airport directors to identify aircraft owners, notify them of accrued fees, and proceed with selling the aircraft if the owner fails to pay or remove the plane within a set timeframe.