HB 167 – Provides protection for victims of domestic violence in the workplace and rental context.  The legislation was substantially modified on the House floor after passage out of committee to address practical issues raised by businesses and the Ohio Chamber of Commerce.  To learn more, click here. 

HB 168 – To create the War of 1812 Commission to commemorate the upcoming occasion of the 200th anniversary of the second war for independence, including the historical Battle of Lake Erie fought just outside of Put-in-Bay. To learn more, click here.

HB 189 -  Designates March 29 as Vietnam Veterans Day.

HB 170 – To provide protections to witnesses who testify at proceedings in connection with unemployment compensation.  Currently, witnesses (typically former co-workers) can be fired by their employers for testifying at a hearing about whether the now terminated employee is entitled to unemployment compensation. To learn more, click here.

HB 323 – This legislation helps neighborhoods and communities that are dealing with the mess that follows multiple foreclosures and half-completed foreclosures.  The problem is that under current law lenders never have to deal with the lien and the property remains in the name of the prior owner, even though they are long gone.  If the lender does not take the property to a sheriff’s sale, it sits there in the name of the prior owner, decaying and hurting other properties and the tax base.  This legislation has evolved from lengthy discussions with housing advocates, local governments and lenders and is designed to fix these problems.  To learn more, click here.

HB 401 – Allows political subdivisions, largely cities and villages in this case, to own a ball park free of property taxes.  Current law limits such tax-free status to ball parks  used by teams affiliated with a Major League Baseball team. To learn more, click here.

HB 447 -- Establishes a system for consumers and small business to recycle electronic waste (initially defined as computers, printers and televisions) and establishes an electronic waste recycling board to consider banning the land-filling of such materials, establishing mandatory minimum recycling rates for manufacturers (after several years of tracking experience), and expanding the list of products covered by the legislation.  Electronic waste contains toxic materials that could find their way into water sources.  Concentrating the flow of electronic waste, which is inherently valuable, will make it more cost-effective to reclaim these materials and will also create jobs in the process. To learn more, click here.

HB 506 - Regulates and provides mandatory reporting of independent expenditures by corporations, labor organizations and other entities the primary purpose of which are to accept funds and thereafter use them in making independent expenditures in support of or in opposition to candidates and ballot issues. To learn more, click here.

HB 509 - Creates an offense for the intimidation of a homeless person. To learn more, click here.

HB 528 - Establishes a mandatory waiver of registration late fee for vehicles used on a seasonal basis. To learn more, click here.

HB 532 - Exempts from Ohio Estate Taxes real estate on which the owner has voluntarily placed an agricultural or conservation easement.  To learn more, click here.

HB 557 - Provides protections against unscrupulous "storm chasers" who prey on homeowners following major storms, frequently by stealing the good name of a local contractor. To learn more, click here.

HB 566 - Local libraries have long received the same types of day-to-day legal advice that county prosecutors provide on a cost-effective basis to many local governments, boards and agencies. In order to hold down government costs, HB 566 would restore this arrangement following a recent federal court decision interpreting existing law. The legislation has the support of both the Ohio Library Association and the Ohio Prosecuting Attorneys' Association.  To learn more, click here.