Legislation. . .In the News

anthony.core@squirepb.com 

The following is a summary of recent Ohio General Assembly activity relating to economic development matters through March 4, 2019. 

LEGISLATION INTRODUCED IN THE HOUSE

House Bill 48 (Introduced February 12, 2019; referred to House Finance Committee on February 12, 2019.)  This Bill would provide for a new Local Government Road Improvement Fund for local governments to fund road improvements. 

House Bill 54 (Introduced February 12, 2019; referred to House Ways and Means Committee on February 12, 2019.)  This Bill would increase the proportion of state tax revenue allocated to the Local Government Fund from 1.66% to 3.53% beginning July 1, 2019. 

House Bill 62 (Introduced February 12, 2019; seventh hearing in House Finance Committee on February 28, 2019.)  This Bill in the biennial transportation budget bill, making appropriations for programs related to transportation and public safety for the biennium beginning July 1, 2019. 

House Bill 72 (Introduced February 14, 2019; referred to House Finance Committee on February 20, 2019.)  This Bill would create the Supplemental State Capital Improvements Pilot Program funded by a temporary transfer from the State’s Budget Stabilization Fund. 

House Bill 75 (Introduced February 14, 2019; first hearing in House Ways and Means Committee on February 26, 2019.)  This Bill would require local governments that contest property values to formally pass an authorizing resolution for each contest and to notify property owners. 

House Bill 76 (Introduced February 14, 2019; referred to House Ways and Means Committee on February 20, 2019.)  This Bill would enact the “Ballot Uniformity and Transparency Act” to modify the form of election notices and ballot language for property tax levies. 

House Bill 78 (Introduced February 14, 2019; referred to House Commerce and Labor Committee on February 20, 2019.)  This Bill would allow political subdivisions, special districts, and state institutions of higher education to elect to apply the Prevailing Wage Law to public improvement projects.

House Bill 84 (Introduced February 19, 2019; not yet referred to committee.)  This Bill would expressly include, as eligible projects under the State Capital Improvements Program, water and sewer laterals located on private property. 

House Bill 92 (Introduced February 21, 2019; not yet referred to committee.)  This Bill would require voter approval of any increase in the rate of a county sales tax. 

House Bill 93 (Introduced February 21, 2019; not yet referred to committee.)  This Bill would make appropriations related to public transportation. 

House Bill 98 (Introduced February 26, 2019; not yet referred to committee.)  This Bill would reinstate the rural industrial park loan fund. 

House Bill 99 (Introduced February 26, 2019; not yet referred to committee.)  This Bill would raise the homestead exemption income eligibility to $60,000 and increase the tax reduction. 

LEGISLATION INTRODUCED IN THE SENATE 

Senate Bill 1 (Introduced February 12, 2019; second hearing in Senate Government Oversight and Reform Committee on February 26, 2019.)  This Bill would require certain agencies to reduce the number of regulatory restrictions. 

Senate Bill 2 (Introduced February 12, 2019; referred to Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee on February 20, 2019.)  This Bill would create a statewide watershed planning structure for watershed programs to be implemented by local soil and water conservation districts. 

Senate Bill 8 (Introduced February 12, 2019; second hearing in Senate Ways and Means Committee on February 27, 2019.)  This Bill would authorize tax credits for investments in an Ohio Opportunity Zone. 

Senate Bill 36 (Introduced February 12, 2019; first hearing in Senate Ways and Means Committee on February 27, 2019.)  This Bill would prescribe how federally subsidized residential rental property must be valued for property tax purposes. 

Senate Bill 38 (Introduced February 12, 2019; not yet referred to committee.)  This Bill would revise the law governing municipal corporation use of water and sewer funds to allow municipal corporations to use up to 5% of sewer and water funds to extend the municipal corporation’s sewer or water system if it is being extended for economic development purposes. 

Senate Bill 39 (Introduced February 12, 2019; referred to Senate Finance Committee on February 20, 2019.)  This Bill would authorize an insurance premiums tax credit for capital contributions to transformational mixed use development projects.