Sen. Steve Huffman

To enact section 4117.091 of the Revised Code to prohibit a public employer from providing paid leave or compensation for a public employee to engage in certain union activities.

Maddy summarySB 41 designates January 22 as the "Day of Tears" to commemorate the anniversary of a Supreme Court ruling regarding abortion, as described in the bill. The measure encourages Ohio residents to lower state flags to half-staff on this day to observe the occasion. This is a commemorative resolution with no new legal requirements or direct policy changes.

To amend section 2909.07 and to enact sections 1923.16 and 2913.53 of the Revised Code to provide for the expedited removal of unauthorized occupants from residential property and to prohibit the use and sale of fraudulent deeds.

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 establishes a temporary board to review cybersecurity and fraud prevention practices for state agency information systems, requiring the board to submit its findings and recommendations to state leaders within twelve months before it is dissolved. It mandates a post-election audit for every election in Ohio and requires the Secretary of State to certify ballot titles and initiative petitions alongside their summaries. The legislation also modifies voter registration procedures, including updates to how the Bureau of Motor Vehicles registers electors and rules for removing ineligible voters from the registration database. Additionally, it limits when individuals can fill out election forms for others and adjusts requirements for petitions filed by new political parties.

Maddy summaryHB 315 amends Ohio laws to regulate how newspapers charge for publishing legal notices and establishes a new program to help clean up contaminated industrial sites. The bill requires newspapers to offer a special, capped rate for government-mandated legal advertisements and mandates that these notices be posted online alongside their print versions. It also allows agencies to publish abbreviated summaries of repeated notices online to reduce costs, provided the full text remains accessible on an official public notice website. Additionally, the legislation creates a brownfield remediation program that provides grants to counties and other entities for cleaning up abandoned properties with hazardous substances to encourage redevelopment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Ohio public schools to create policies that ensure parents are notified about changes in their child's health services and have the right to review instructional materials containing sexuality content. It mandates that schools obtain parental consent before providing most health care services to students and prohibits educators from encouraging students to hide health-related information from their families. Additionally, the legislation restricts sexuality education for students in kindergarten through third grade and establishes a formal process for parents to file written concerns about these policies. While the bill outlines specific notification and consent procedures, it includes exceptions for emergency situations, mandatory reporting requirements, and cases involving criminal investigations or court orders.