Rotunda Rumblings

Final countdown: The 135th Ohio General Assembly’s two-year session culminated in a flurry of activity Wednesday, as lawmakers worked late into the night to pass – or shoot down – a wide range of bills on what’s expected to be the end of their “lame-duck” session. Here’s more on what lawmakers did:

Sex, God and school: Legislators gave final approval to House Bill 8, which combines the so-called “Parents Bill of Rights” (which would require schools to notify parents of any sexuality content and changes in the students’ physical or mental health) with a bill that requires all public school districts to adopt a policy allowing released time for religious instruction. Laura Hancock reports that the LGBTQ community is worried about students whose parents could punish them if they find out from school officials that they’re gay or transgender.

Night moves: Lawmakers wrapped up their marathon session around 2:15 a.m. Thursday by passing House Bill 315, which a legislative conference committee had shortly beforehand filled up with a litany of policy items large and small. Jake Zuckerman has more on what lawmakers packed into the bill, including proposals to protect “medical free speech,” create a Dolly Parton Imagination Library specialty license plate, and codify two executive orders from Gov. Mike DeWine allowing college athletes and their schools to enter into marketing and endorsement deals.

SLAPP at intimidation: State lawmakers also passed legislation that takes aim at the use of the courts to silence critics from exercising free speech for fear of expensive litigation, Robert Higgs and Hancock report. The bill, which now goes to DeWine for approval, would combat a civil action known as a “Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation,” or more simply a SLAPP – a legal action used by deep-pocketed plaintiffs that makes claims such as defamation and invasion of privacy to intimidate people exercising their rights to free speech.

Suspensions: A bill that would add threatening manifestos, hit lists, social media posts and other behavior to the list of student behavior that can result in a yearlong suspension is headed to DeWine’s desk. As Hancock reports, before passing Senate Bill 206, the Senate tacked on several amendments, including allowing a charter school known as OHDELA to get up to two years of relief from closing due to low report card scores. Another amendment would give the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce an additional $4.1 million to handle the administration work around private school vouchers.

Word is bond: Ohio voters will decide during next year’s May 6 primary election whether to approve another $2.5 billion in state bonds to help pay for local infrastructure projects. As Jeremy Pelzer reports, lawmakers overwhelmingly supported re-upping the bond program and appropriated $15 million to offset the cost of staging an election on the measure in parts of the state that otherwise have nothing to vote on during the May primary.

Sextortion: Lawmakers passed legislation Wednesday creating new felony offenses for “sextortion” crimes. As Zuckerman reports, the bill targets those who use the nude image of another as leverage to induce them to send money or commit another offense.

Licensed to bill: State lawmakers passed legislation around 10:15 p.m. Wednesday designed to dramatically limit the number of Ohioans whose drivers licenses are suspended over unpaid debts. As Zuckerman reports, the bill will help those convicted of drug offenses (if no car is involved), truancy or owing court costs keep their license.

Pay out: A last-minute push by some House Republicans to approve pay increases for lawmakers and a variety of local elected officials died in the Senate. As Pelzer reports, Senate President Matt Huffman suggested that the pay-raise plan would benefit too many different elected officials for the Senate GOP’s liking.

Low energy: The Senate also killed legislation that would revive energy efficiency programs in Ohio, designed to reduce the state’s aggregate electricity consumption. As Jake Zuckerman reports, 2019 legislation at the center of a statehouse bribery scandal ended the programs. Senators canceled a Wednesday morning committee vote on the bill.

Defense conservation: The U.S. Senate on Wednesday voted overwhelmingly to back a National Defense Authorization bill that includes several non-defense related measures championed by U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce, a South Russell Republican, Sabrina Eaton writes. The package includes a bill authored by Joyce called the Wildlife Innovation and Longevity Driver Reauthorization (WILD) Act. It reauthorizes a program that enables wildlife and habitat conservation in all 50 states and territories, and the Multinational Species Conservation Fund, which supports the global conservation of imperiled species, including rhinos, elephants, tigers, great apes, and turtles.

Brown bill advances: The U.S. Senate on Wednesday voted 73-27 to advance consideration of the “Social Security Fairness Act” sponsored by U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, a Cleveland Democrat. It would repeal laws that keep around 3 million Americans – including an estimated 250,000 Ohioans – from getting their full Social Security benefits because they’re also getting public pensions that didn’t withhold Social Security taxes. “I urge all my colleagues on both sides to join us, restore the Social Security that people who protect us and serve us have earned over a lifetime of work,” Brosn said before the vote. The bill passed the House of Representatives earlier this year with support from all its Ohio members.

Vance for president: Departing GOP U.S. Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah told CNN’s State of the Union that he believes Vice President-elect JD Vance will be the Republican Party’s 2028 presidential nominee, The Hill reports. “MAGA is the Republican Party, and Donald Trump is the Republican Party today,” Romney said. “And if you were to ask me who the nominee will be in 2028, it’ll be JD Vance.” Romney, who was the GOP’s 2012 presidential nominee, said Vance will likely be the next GOP leader because he is smart, well-spoken and believes in the MAGA movement.

Full Disclosure

Five things we learned from the Feb. 16, 2024 ethics disclosure form filed by state Rep.-elect Matthew Kishman, a Minerva Republican:

1. Kishman owns an IGA grocery store in Minerva and served on the village’s council and the Sandy Creek Joint Fire District.

2. His only investment worth more than $1,000 is stock in Consumers Bancorp Inc.

3. At some point last year, Kishman owed more than $1,000 to Consumers Bank for an auto loan and a home equity line of credit, to Huntington Bank for a home loan, and to Barclays Bank for a credit card.

4. He reported owning no real estate, though legislative candidates don’t have to list their personal residence or property used for personal recreation.

5. He wasn’t owed more than $1,000 at any time in 2023.

On the Move

GOP activist and former U.S. House of Representatives candidate Madison Gesiotto Gilbert of Canton has been appointed to serve on Ohio Right to Life’s Board of Trustees.

Birthdays

Former U.S. Sen. Rob Portman, a Cincinnati Republican

Straight from the Source

“As a high school senior, Sherrod, one day, got together with his friends, Paul and John, to organize a rally in Mansfield to honor the very first day Earth Day in 1970. This is what he did. He organized rallies. Some people went to ball games. Some people watch TV. Some people went out to restaurants. Sherrod organized rallies.”

– U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, in a speech honoring departing U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio, a Cleveland Democrat.

Capitol Letter is a daily briefing providing succinct, timely information for those who care deeply about the decisions made by state government. Subscribe to get Capitol Letter in your email box each weekday for free.