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May 3, 2024

UPDATE AT A GLANCE

Here are items of note from this week:

• On Wednesday, the Joint Committee on Property Tax Review and Reform held its seventh hearing, where members heard from the Ohio Municipal League and other local government organizations. Thank you to Beachwood Finance Director Larry Heiser for testifying on behalf of OML. The testimony can be viewed here. More information is in the article below.

• The Ohio Department of Development announced $154 million for 30 economic development projects through the new Appalachian Downtowns and Destinations Initiative. The funding will be used to: improve infrastructure at parks, trails, and museums; support enhancements to historical native landmarks; renovate downtown spaces and main streets; and create new hubs for education, economic development, healthcare, and community engagement. The list of projects and recipients can be viewed here.

• House Speaker Jason Stephens (R-Kitts Hill) announced changes to the structure of some House standing committees by removing the following six committee chairs from their positions this week: Agriculture Chair Rodney Creech (R-Germantown), Constitutional Resolutions Chair Phil Plummer (R-Dayton), Energy and Natural Resources Chair Darrell Kick (R-Loudonville), Primary and Secondary Education Chair Adam Bird (R-Cincinnati), Public Health Policy Committee Chair Scott Lipps (R-Franklin), and State and Local Government Chair Marilyn John (R-Shelby). The chair positions are remaining vacant until the speaker takes further action.

• OML is launching its new Statehouse Leaders Academy, which will help prepare current municipal leaders to be the next generation of state legislators. Current mayors or council members with interest in a potential run for the Ohio General Assembly -- or those want to learn more about how state and municipal government overlap -- can learn more about the opportunity here.

• OML and the Ohio Township Association will host a joint webinar, "Ohio's Adult-Use Cannabis Law: Local Government Rights & Program Overview," from 12-1:30 p.m. on May 20. The webinar will include an update about the status of the cannabis program from the Ohio Department of Commerce and an overview of local government rights. You can register here.

• OML and the Mayors Association of Ohio will be hosting the 2024 New Mayors Training seminar, taking place May 17 at the Obetz Community Center. The seminar will provide important information on topics specific to mayors and allow for peer-to-peer networking. More information can be viewed here.

• Registration is open for two two regional conferences OML is having this summer -- the first on June 7 in Athens and the second on Aug. 2 in Sandusky. These conferences offer a single day for municipal officials to catch up on some of the most relevant topics to your job duties, without having to travel to Columbus. Registration information can be viewed here.

• Registration is open for the Mayors Association of Ohio Annual Conference, taking place June 12-13 in Dublin. The conference aims to cover topics from the unique perspective of mayors, including economic development, infrastructure, grant funding, marijuana, and more. Registration information can be viewed here.

• The Ohio EPA announced $1.7 million in grants for more than 30 municipalities and counties related to road salt and storage. The grants are the first to be awarded under the new H2Ohio Rivers Chloride Reduction Grant program. More information is available here.

• The Ohio Department of Public Safety’s Ohio Traffic Safety Office opened the grant process for a new round of funding to reduce traffic fatalities by addressing alcohol/drug-impaired driving, occupant protection, speed management, non-motorized travelers, and/or other traffic issues causing fatal or serious injuries. The application deadline is May 23, and more information is available here.

• Ohio Auditor of State Keith Faber issued a bulletin publishing the rates to be charged to local public offices for recovering costs of audits, which will increase to $90/hour for FY2025. View the bulletin here.

• The Public Entities Pool of Ohio (PEP) is providing information on best practices for municipalities when designing and maintaining bike lanes. You can read the information here.

• Grant Writing USA will present a grant management workshop June 20-21 in Columbus. Discounted tuition is $565 and includes Grant Writing USA's 500-page grant management workbook and reference guide. Please use the code "ASSN" at the time of registration for this $30 discount. More information is available here.

PROPERTY TAX COMMITTEE HEARS FROM LOCAL GOVERNMENTS

On Wednesday, the Joint Committee on Property Tax Review and Reform held its seventh hearing, where members received testimony from the Ohio Municipal League, Ohio Mayors Alliance, County Commissioners Association of Ohio, and Ohio Township Association.

The joint committee of House and Senate members was created earlier this year and is tasked with taking an in-depth look at Ohio's property tax system and challenges that are unique to our state. 

OML was pleased to have Larry Heiser, Finance Director from the City of Beachwood, testify on our behalf. He is also the President of the Municipal Finance Officers Association of Ohio, a partner association under the OML umbrella.

Video of the hearing can be viewed here, the testimony submitted from OML can be read here.

Our testimony largely focused on:

• Municipal revenue streams aside from property taxes, including the municipal income tax, Local Government Fund distributions, the gas tax and water/sewer fees -- as well as the past-eliminated estate tax and tangible personal property tax
• Services provided by municipalities and the effect of revenue collections on these
• How property tax levies are generally used by municipalities
• Examples of property tax levies and other entities, such as TIFs and CRAs

As a partner with the state, the importance of protecting municipalities from revenue loss through future state property tax law changes was emphasized.

The committee has only received invited testimony thus far, but they are expected to hold two additional hearings, where testimony will be open to others, including OML-member communities.

OML will continue to provide our members with updates related to the committee's work, as well as the committee's final recommendations for possible reforms and updates. The report must be issued by the end of the year.

NEWLY INTRODUCED

BILLS OF MUNICIPAL INTEREST



Below is the list of bills that were newly introduced and that are impactful to Ohio municipalities:

HB511 - RESIDENTIAL LANDLORDS, TENANTS (Isaacsohn, D; Humphrey, L) 

To amend the law regarding residential landlords and tenants.

Bill Text

SB253 - REVISE LEAD TESTING LAW (Lang, G) 

To revise the law governing lead testing, certification, and tax credits.

Bill Text

COMMITTEE RECAP

BILLS OF MUNICIPAL INTEREST



Below is the list of bills that received a legislative committee hearing this week and that are impactful to Ohio municipalities:

Legislation Receiving Additional Hearings

HB303 - EMS PERSONNEL TRAINING SUBJECTS (Hall, T; Santucci, N) 

To establish a process for the revision of training subjects for EMS personnel. Third hearing in House Homeland Security.

Bill Analysis

SB119 - WASTE DISPOSAL LAW CHANGES (Reineke, W) 

To make changes to the laws governing the transfer and disposal of solid waste and construction and demolition debris, including increasing certain fees. Fourth hearing in House Energy and Natural Resources.

Bill Analysis 

COMMITTEE SCHEDULE

Tuesday, May 7, 2024

HOUSE CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Tue., May. 7, 2024, 3:00 PM, Hearing Room 121

Rep. Abrams: 614-466-9091

HB37 - OVI PENALTIES (JOHNSON M, MILLER K)

To modify the law related to OVI-related offenses.

           Eighth Hearing, All Testimony, POSSIBLE VOTE

Wednesday, May 8, 2024

HOUSE FINANCE

Wed., May. 8, 2024, 9:00 AM, Hearing Room 313

Rep. Edwards: 614-466-2158

HB396 - REPLACE MARIJUANA POLICE DOGS (BRENNAN S, WILLIAMS J)

To provide funding for the replacement of police dogs imprinted to detect marijuana, to reimburse those expenses from adult use excise tax revenue, and to make an appropriation.

           First Hearing, Sponsor Testimony