The U.S. Supreme Court says it will hear challenges to same-sex marriage bans in four states, including Ohio, meeting the expectations of legal experts who said accepting the cases and allowing gay couples nationwide to marry was all but inevitable. The court announced its decision Friday afternoon after justices held a morning conference. The justices […]
Governor signs 40 bills into law in end-of-year wrap up
December 26, 2014 by
With his signature, over and over again, Ohio Governor John Kasich signed 40 pieces of legislation into law this week, including: Sub. H.B. 5 (Grossman, Henne) revises the laws governing income taxes imposed by municipal corporations. Sub. H.B. 9 (Stautberg) adds to and clarifies receivership laws and specifies that a lease of natural gas and […]
Ohio redistricting reforms heading to voters for final approval
December 18, 2014 by
The Ohio House on Wednesday gave final approval to a bipartisan plan changing how the state draws its legislative districts, sending the measure to voters to consider next year. The House voted 80-8 to approve changes made to House Joint Resolution 12 by the Senate early Friday morning. Changes to Ohio’s redistricting process have been […]
Procedural misstep derails proposed changes to Ohio fireworks law
December 18, 2014 by
A bill allowing Ohioans to set off firecrackers, bottle rockets and other consumer-grade fireworks went down in flames Wednesday afternoon thanks to a procedural misstep that kept it from a House floor vote. The House Health and Aging Committee planned to approve Senate Bill 386 for a floor vote later in the day — the […]
New Ohio law would include pets in protection orders
December 16, 2014 by
A bill allowing animals to be included in domestic violence, stalking and other protection orders is on its way to the governor. The Ohio Senate last week voted 32-0 to agree with House changes to Senate Bill 177, sending the bill to Gov. John Kasich who is expected to sign it into law. Nearly half […]
Ohio Senate approves bill that would make many fireworks legal
December 15, 2014 by
The Ohio Senate has passed a bill legalizing the use of bottle rockets, firecrackers and other consumer-grade fireworks in Ohio despite hearing earlier in the day from doctors, firefighters and safety advocates who oppose the measure. Currently, Ohioans can buy consumer-grade fireworks in Ohio but must take them out of the state within 48 hours. […]
Ohio redistricting reforms passed in historic, early morning vote
December 12, 2014 by
The Ohio General Assembly made history early Friday morning when the Senate passed a House-backed redistricting reform plan before adjourning for the session. State lawmakers have debated how to change to Ohio’s process for drawing legislative and congressional districts since 1978 but have never come to an agreement. The Senate voted 28-1 just after 4 […]
“Hearbeat Bill” defeated after vote allowed in Ohio House
December 11, 2014 by
A bill that would have made Ohio’s abortion ban one of the strictest in the nation failed to pass the Republican-controlled Ohio House on Wednesday. House Bill 248, known as the “heartbeat bill” would have prohibited abortion once a fetal heartbeat can be detected — as early as six weeks into a woman’s pregnancy. The […]
Sales Tax holiday and funding boost to Ohio townships approved
December 11, 2014 by
Legislators in the Ohio House approved a Senate plan Wednesday that will waive sales taxes for one weekend next August for consumers doing back-to-school shopping. The bill, introduced in the Senate by Kevin Bacon, a suburban Columbus Republican, would exempt sales taxes on Aug. 7, 8 and 9 in 2015 on purchases of clothing valued […]
Ohio lawmakers approve suppressors for hunting, concealed carry changes
December 11, 2014 by
State lawmakers gave final approval Wednesday to legislation to loosen state regulations for concealed-handgun licenses and allow hunters to use gun silencers. Under House Bill 234, the number of training hours needed to obtain a concealed-handgun license would be reduced from 12 to 8. At least two of those hours would have to consist of […]
