The Ohio legislature has concluded what appears to be its final week of voting for the 134th General Assembly. Despite a flurry of lame-duck legislative activity, the following OMA-opposed bills stalled:

• Union Hiring Mandate (House Bill 235): Would have forced defined manufacturers across Ohio to hire union workers, while creating a precedent that could have impacted other industries.
• Electricity Ratemaking Overhaul (House Bill 317): Proposed harmful changes to Ohio’s ratemaking structure that would have increased energy costs for manufacturers and other customers.
• Construction Contract Mandate (House Bill 68): Would have imposed state-mandated payment terms in private contracts.

The good news: These bills will die with the final adjournment of the current General Assembly. (Both chambers have scheduled Wednesday, Dec. 21 as an “if needed” session day as their last possible day to meet.) The bad news: All three bills will likely be reintroduced in the 135th General Assembly, which convenes Jan. 3 and will continue through December 2024. 12/15/2022