Sen. George Lang

Maddy summaryThis bill designates a specific stretch of Interstate 90 in Cuyahoga County as the "Lance Corporal Jimmy Rizzo Memorial Highway" to honor a fallen service member. The law officially names the northeastbound and southwestbound lanes between East 55th and East 72nd Streets and authorizes transportation officials to install signs displaying this new title. This measure is a commemorative action that affects drivers and the public by formally recognizing the highway with a memorial name rather than changing any traffic rules or funding.

Maddy summarySB 215 prohibits foreign nationals from making financial contributions or expenditures to support or oppose ballot issues in elections. The bill directly affects campaign committees, political parties, and other groups that raise funds for election-related activities by banning them from accepting money from non-citizens for these specific purposes. Key provisions define what counts as a contribution and expenditure while clarifying that voluntary services and personal expenses do not fall under this restriction. This measure aims to restrict foreign influence in ballot issue campaigns without addressing contributions to candidate races or other political entities.

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.

Maddy summaryThis bill limits the ability of school districts to reallocate unvoted property tax millage and changes how emergency and substitute levies are counted in effective millage calculations. It requires the state tax commissioner to calculate specific percentage reductions for property taxes to ensure that tax rates do not drop below established minimums based on prior year collections. County auditors will apply these calculated reductions to property tax bills, with the tax commissioner retaining the authority to withhold state funds from districts that fail to comply with the reporting requirements. The legislation primarily affects school districts and property owners by standardizing how tax rates are determined and enforced across different property classes.

Maddy summarySB 226, titled the Ohio Property Protection Act, expands existing laws that restrict certain governments, businesses, and individuals from acquiring specific types of property in Ohio. The bill requires anyone transferring real estate or manufactured homes to submit a detailed statement declaring the property's value and affirming whether the transferor or transferee is legally prohibited from buying such land. If the property was previously used for agricultural purposes, the statement must also address potential tax recoupment charges that may apply when that status changes. Furthermore, the act mandates that county auditors refuse to process the transfer of protected property unless the required declarations are included, and it directs auditors to refer suspicious transactions to law enforcement for investigation.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new "regulatory relief office" within the Department of Commerce to manage a universal regulatory sandbox program designed for businesses testing innovative products or services. Under this program, the office can temporarily waive specific state laws and regulations that would normally require a license or authorization, allowing companies to operate in a controlled environment to demonstrate their offerings. The bill also establishes an advisory committee composed of business representatives, state agency officials, and legislators to guide the office and assess risks to consumer safety and financial well-being. Additionally, the office is tasked with identifying laws that hinder new industries, proposing changes to the General Assembly, and exploring agreements with other states that have similar sandbox programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a regulatory framework for companies offering earned wage access services, which allow workers to receive some of their unpaid earnings before their scheduled payday. It directly affects businesses providing these services and the workers who use them by requiring companies to obtain a state registration certificate before operating. To get this certificate, providers must pay specific fees and undergo an investigation that includes background checks on key officers for criminal, civil, and credit history. The legislation also mandates the use of a nationwide multistate licensing system for applications and renewals to streamline the registration process across different states.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a non-binding resolution from the Ohio Senate that urges federal agencies to implement policies protecting innovation and ensuring access to products. It emphasizes the importance of intellectual property rights and the Bayh-Dole Act, which allows private companies to license government-funded research for commercialization. The resolution specifically states that any government action regarding product access should not undermine these incentives or be used to set prices. Ultimately, it calls for collaboration between state and federal officials to maintain a favorable environment for technological development.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a Senate resolution that honors Susan Elizabeth Burkey for her nearly thirty years of service to the Ohio Legislative Service Commission. It recognizes her contributions to the agency's drafting, fiscal analysis, and research functions, highlighting her role in supporting fourteen legislative sessions. The resolution formally salutes her professional achievements and directs the Senate Clerk to send an official copy of the tribute to her.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a Senate resolution honoring the memory of Jo Ann Davidson, a former Ohio politician and public servant. It formally expresses the state legislature's condolences to her family and pays tribute to her career achievements, including her historic role as the first woman to serve as Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives. The resolution also directs the Senate Clerk to send an official copy of the tribute to Davidson's family.