Legislature Passes Several Noteworthy Lame Duck Bills

Several pieces of legislation were passed in the final days (and hours) of the 134th General Assembly’s post-election session. The following are among the most noteworthy bills sent to Gov. Mike DeWine for his signature or veto:

• $6 Billion Spending From Federal COVID-19 Funds – House Bill 45: Includes billions of dollars from multiple federal COVID-19 relief packages, with most of the funding directed toward K-12 education, social services, and health care, as explained by this summary.
• Unemployment Insurance Reform – Senate Bill 302: Makes several changes to curb unemployment fraud.
• Election Reform – House Bill 458: Requires a photo ID to vote, limits ballot drop boxes, and eliminates early in-person voting the Monday before Election Day.
• Work Hours for Teens – Senate Bill 251: Allows 14- and 15-year-olds to work until 9 p.m. year-round with their parents’ consent.
• Expanded Natural Gas Production – House Bill 507: Qualifies natural gas as green energy and allows state agencies to lease land to develop oil and gas.
• Criminal Justice Reform, Distracted Driving Penalties – Senate Bill 288 – Would make it easier to expunge criminal records and shorten prison sentences, while allowing law enforcement to pull over drivers for holding or using a cellphone.

Among the notable measures that did not pass was a proposal to restructure Ohio’s K-12 education system, as well as House Joint Resolution 6, which would have raised the voter-approval threshold for state constitutional amendments to 60%. 12/15/2022