The following bills were recently added to the OII Bill Watch list. Please let us know if you have comments or concerns regarding these bills.

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1 Week of March 24, 2014 The following bills were recently added to the OII Bill Watch list. Please let us know if you have comments or concerns regarding these bills. House Bills HB 502- Minimum Wage(Foley, Hagan) To increase the state minimum wage to ten dollars and ten cents an hour beginning January 1, Senate Bills SB Primary Offenses( Schiavoni) To allow the enforcement of child car seat, booster seat, and seat belt requirements as a primary offense and to repeal a provision of law that declares that the failure of an operator of a motor vehicle to secure a child in a car seat, in a booster seat, or with a seatbelt is inadmissible in certain civil and criminal proceedings. Signed by the Governor HB 107- High School Internships On March 26, 2014, Governor John Kasich signed HB 107, which creates a grant program for businesses that employ high school students in career exploration internships. The unofficial effective date is June 25, We will post the official effective date on the OII Website once it becomes available. Click here to view HB 107 as enacted Passed by the House SB 202- Shareholder Laws The House unanimously passed SB 202, which provides exceptions to the applicability of the Control Share Acquisition Act, requires board approval for Act opt-out amendments of a corporation's regulations or articles of incorporation, and applies a three-year look-back period to ownership of shares for purposes of determining applicability of certain shareholder transaction laws. The bill now goes to the Governor for his signature. Click here to view SB 202 as passed by the House

2 Hearings of Interest Mid Biennium Review Bills The Kasich administration has taken to a yearly budget process, and along with HB MBR Budget, several other pieces of legislation focusing on different policy areas were introduced last week and had hearings this week A substitute version of HB 472 was accepted this week by the House Ways and Means Committee and essentially removes everything from the bill except provisions dealing with the proposed personal income tax cut and increases to the Commercial Activity Tax (CAT) and tobacco taxes. HB 493- MBR Workers Compensation, which had sponsor testimony this week in House Insurance Committee, as well as testimony from BWC Administrator Steve Buehrer, contains language to change Ohio law to allow the Administrator the ability to enter into a fronting arrangement with an insurance carrier to provide limited otherstates coverage through a competitive bid process. This is BWC s attempt to address the issue of most states not recognizing Ohio s public workers compensation coverage for Ohio employees temporarily working outside the state. HB 483-MBR Appropriations, which had a hearing in the House Finance and Appropriations Committee, allows up to $3 million from the State Fire Marshal's Training and Equipment Grant fund to be used by eligible entities to purchase fire department communications systems, equipment and services integrated through the Multi-Agency Radio Communication System. The bill also creates a new fund line item for an existing Underground Storage Tank Revolving Loan Program. HB 486-MBR Workforce had a hearing in the House Economic Development and Regulatory Reform Committee, and Ohio Department of Commerce Director Andre Porter testified that through the Operation Safe Stay program, the State Fire Marshal would establish a fire code and sanitary standards for hotels. He said that hotel inspection grades based on those standards would be published and those with excellent conditions will be recognized as "Safe Stay Hotels." Porter added that the State Fire Marshal would offer a reduction in the licensure fee for those establishments that make the top of the list. HB 492- MBR Taxation had a first hearing in the House Ways and Means Committee, and Rep. Gary Scherer (R-Circleville) summarized the key provisions of the bill, including eliminating the Tobacco Settlement Enforcement Fund, making several changes to administration of the motor fuel excise tax, shortening the minimum holding period of investments necessary for the investment to qualify for the small business investment income tax credit, and authorizing the tax commissioner to adopt rules requiring returns to be filed electronically or telephonically.

3 We will continue to follow these pieces of legislation. Please let us know if you have any comments, questions or concerns. HB 468- Salvage Vehicles The House Insurance Committee heard testimony this week on HB 468, which is sponsored by Reps. Barbara Sears (R- Monclova Twp) and Ross McGregor (R- Springfield) and is relative to salvage motor vehicles and junk motor vehicles. Kevin Fisk, representing LKQ Corp., said discussions with salvage auto auction interests have removed a number of LKQ's concerns about eliminating Ohio's bid card requirement. Fisk said that with the elimination of the bid card, the bill requires the development of a statewide database for the submission of purchaser and salvage auto sales information and requires that salvage auto auctions and pools report all sales to the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS) in order to protect the public. Fisk asked that the bill go one step further by requiring all purchasers of salvage motor vehicles to provide their NMVITS Reporting Entity Identification number to the salvage auto auction prior to their purchase of a salvage vehicle. He said this requirement would be the only sure way to prove to the salvage auto auctions and pools that the purchaser is authorized to purchase the vehicles in their home jurisdiction. He added that requiring an authorized, but unlicensed, purchaser to provide that ID number creates a mechanism to verify that person has not exceeded the limit of five salvage auto purchases for the year. Rep. Sears told Fisk she is concerned with adding another reporting requirement, especially when the goal is to streamline regulations. Rep. John Patrick Carney (D- Columbus) said fraud issues have not turned up in states that have opened the salvage vehicle market to broad competition and asked Fisk how limiting competition benefits Ohio citizens. Last year, Rep. Carney and Rep. Jay Hottinger introduced HB 128, which is identical to the as-introduced version of SB 273 (129 th GA) that the OII had vigorously supported. HB 128 would allow insurers to use internet auctions as an option for distributing total loss vehicles in Ohio. HB 128 was referred to the House Insurance Committee but has yet to have any hearings. Paul Nelson, regional operations manager for Ohio and Pennsylvania Copart salvage vehicle auctions, said most statutes around the country allows for an open, fair and competitive marketplace for the purchasing of salvage vehicles. He said Ohio's antiquated bid card statutes limit what type of business can even obtain a bid card, placing a severe limitation on the market for the sale of Ohio salvage vehicles. Nelson said this limits Ohio buyers to just over 1,000, a fraction of the registered members to whom Copart sells salvage vehicles in open marketplace states. Nelson said the answer to the marketplace access problems is not to tweak the bid card requirement or replace it with other buyer-type restrictions, but the solution lies with open competition and natural market forces.

4 Steve Tugend, legislative counsel for Insurance Auto Auctions, Inc., said the market has drastically changed since Ohio first enacted the bid card requirement in 1986, with sales moving from largely in-state purchasers to a global marketplace with the expansion of the Internet. In addition to market conditions, he said the regulatory environment has changed, with the federal government taking a strong role in protecting against fraudulent activity by creating NMVTIS. He added that while other states have modernized their salvage sales laws, Ohio has not. Tugend assured committee members the legislation leaves current consumer protections in place and opening the market for salvage vehicle sales does nothing to alter the process by which salvage vehicles are titled and processed. Please let us know if you would like copies of any of the witnesses testimony. We will continue to closely follow this legislation. Click here to view HB 468 as introduced SB 255- Financial Responsibility The Senate Transportation Committee heard sponsor testimony on SB 255 from Sen. Edna Brown (D- Toledo), which would permit a person to present proof of financial responsibility to the Registrar of Motor Vehicles, a peace officer, a traffic violations bureau, or a court through use of an electronic wireless communications device. Sen. Brown said the bill would not eliminate the requirement to have a printed insurance identification card in order to show proof of insurance, rather it would "give the option of using a smart phone or other electronic device to provide the same information." "As with most other cases where a paperless option is available, this will provide additional convenience and cost saving opportunities for insurance companies and motorists," Brown said. She said that since 2011, when no states provided such an option, 31 states have passed laws similar to SB 255 and that number is expected to rise. Sen. Bill Seitz (R-Cincinnati) questioned if the bill provides for citizens to respond to the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) random insurance verification program with an ed copy of their proof of coverage. Sen. Brown said it does not but she would be open to discussing the issue further with Seitz and the BMV. Sen. Seitz said he has proposed this option before to the BMV, but was told that under the contract the bureau has for the program, the vendor is only required to review paper copies. We will continue to follow this legislation. Click here to view SB 255 as introduced

5 HB 247 External Defibrillation The Senate Medicaid, Health and Human Services Committee held a third hearing on HB 247 this week. The legislation is sponsored by Rep. Gerald Stebelton (R-Lancaster) and would make clear that any person may perform automated external defibrillation. Jennifer Dicken, a nurse from Logan, said the bill encourages the owner of her fitness center "and other reluctant facilities" to purchase AEDs. "As a Registered nurse, CPR, and AED instructor, I am confident that all of us in this room would be competent to grab the AED and use it if one of us would go into cardiac arrest right now" she said. Christopher Cooper, president of the Ohio Chapter of the American College of Cardiology, provided written testimony in support of the bill. We will continue to follow this legislation. Click here to view HB 247 as passed by the House SB 289- Used Tires The Senate Commerce and Labor Committee heard sponsor testimony from Sen. Tom Patton (R-Strongsville) on SB 289, which would regulate the sale of used tires and provide notice to consumers of the age and history of purchased used tires. Sen. Patton said the bill was inspired by a recent safety bulletin from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which warned consumers about aging tires. The Ohio Attorney General's office also recently issued a consumer warning about used tires. Patton said that rubber starts to break down over time, making used tires more prone to failure, and noted that manufacturers recommend replacing tires every six to 10 years. "Even though a tire may have a lot of remaining tread, its integrity could be compromised, though the effect of aging may not be visibly detectable," he said. Patton added that tracking the age is easy because manufacturers put the week and year of manufacture on their tires. We will continue to follow this legislation. Click here to view SB 289 as introduced SB Safe Driving The Senate Public Safety, Local Government and Veterans Affairs Committee heard sponsor and proponent testimony this week on SB 294, which is sponsored by Sen. Jim Hughes (R-Columbus) and would designate September as "Safe Driving Awareness Month."

6 Sen. Hughes said the Safe Driving Awareness month would be a call to action for drivers and a lasting memorial to Maria Tiberi, daughter of Columbus TV sports broadcaster Dom Tiberi. The 21-year-old lost her life when she was distracted while driving on a Columbus highway last September. Sen. Hughes said that 11% of all drivers under the age of 20 involved in fatal crashes were reported as distracted at the time of the crash. Hughes added that sending or receiving a text takes a driver's eyes off the road for an average 4.6 seconds, which is the equivalent of driving the length of a football field blindfolded if travelling at 55 mph. Tiberi recounted the horror of receiving the news that his daughter did not survive a rear end crash with a semi. He said they may never know what happened to cause the collision as there was no alcohol involved, and evidence shows Maria was not talking on her the phone or texting. As a way to memorialize Maria, Tiberi and his wife went on to create Maria's Message, a public service campaign to create awareness about the dangers of distracted driving, to make defensive driving courses available to young people and to make all drivers think about what they are doing behind the wheel. John Born, director of the Ohio Department of Public Safety, said Ohio is making progress in traffic fatalities recording less than 1,000 deaths last year. This is the lowest number recorded since Ohio began keeping such records in Born, a former superintendent of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, added that leading crash causes, such as speeding, failure to yield, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and distracted driving can be reduced through education and enforcement aimed at changing dangerous driving behaviors. Born said Maria's Message will be part of a statewide safe driving campaign being launched in April. Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) Director Jerry Wray also testified in support of the bill, saying it will emphasize public awareness of distracted driving and other events that cost lives on Ohio highways. Wray said efforts of the state's Strategic Highway Safety Plan have attracted national attention, with ODOT recently being awarded the Safety Leadership Award by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. He said Ohio was recognized for spending over $100 million annually on safety projects resulting in a 30% and 20% drop, respectively, in fatalities and serious injury accidents. Mike Weinman, director of government affairs for the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), said a Safe Driving Awareness Month will bring attention to a daily activity most Ohioans take for granted. Weinman said it is unknown just how many injuries and deaths have occurred as a result of distracted driving, noting a recent study found that distracted driving is a very under reported cause of traffic crashes. With motor vehicle accidents being the leading cause of death for police officers, Weinman said the FOP is strongly in support of the bill. Personal support for the bill was offered by former Ohio State University football coaches Earle Bruce and John Cooper. Additional written proponent testimony was offered by current OSU football coach Urban Meyer, two-time Heisman Trophy winner

7 Archie Griffin, OSU Athletic Director Gene Smith and professional golf legend Jack Nicklaus. We will continue to follow this legislation. Click here to view SB 294 as introduced Grassroots Action Requested HB 382 and SB 274 Last week, the House unanimously passed HB 382.The legislation is sponsored by Reps. Mike Duffey (R-Worthington) and Heather Bishoff (D-Blacklick) and would revise the procedures and penalties governing the towing of motor vehicles and require the Public Utilities Commission to adopt certain rules regarding a for-hire motor carrier engaged in towing. The bill expands all applicable consumer protections to all types of non-consensual tows. This week, the bill was referred to the State Government Oversight and Reform Committee chaired by Sen. David Burke (R-Marysville). Click here to view HB 382 as passed by the House SB 274 was introduced by Sen. Jim Hughes (R-Columbus) and addresses how tow truck operators obtain title to unclaimed vehicles and also requires a tow truck operator to submit an invoice for accident scene tows to the vehicle owner. The OII is offering a proposed amendment to SB 274 that would remove the requirement that vendors must use insurer letterhead when requesting salvage certificates of title on their behalf. SB 274 is also pending in the Senate State Government Oversight and Reform Committee and is scheduled for sponsor testimony on Wednesday. Click here to view SB 274 as introduced We appreciate everyone s efforts in encouraging those in your organizations to contact their legislators urging support of HB 382 when it was being considered in the House and are again asking for grassroots support now that both HB 382 and SB 274 are in the Senate. The OII s Website, Stop Towing Abuse, is in the process of being updated and soon a sample letter that can be sent to Senate members urging their support of HB 382 and SB 274 will be available, as well as links to finding your Senator. Any assistance you can provide would be greatly appreciated. Below are the members of the Senate State Government Oversight and Reform Committee, along with links to their contact information. Chairman Dave Burke (R-Marysville) Vice Chairman Joe Uecker (R-Miami Township) Ranking Member Shirley Smith (D-Cleveland)

8 Sen. Kevin Bacon (R-Village of Minerva Park) Sen. Edna Brown (D-Toledo) Sen. Bill Coley (R-Liberty Twp) Sen. Frank LaRose (R-Copley) Sen. Larry Obhof (R-Medina) Sen. Bill Seitz (R-Cincinnati) Sen. Michael Skindell (D-Lakewood) Sen. Chris Widener (R-Springfield) Receptions for Ohio Supreme Court Justices French and Kennedy Attached is information on two upcoming events for Ohio Supreme Court candidates Justice Judi French and Justice Sharon Kennedy The first is an evening reception on Tuesday, April 15 th for Justices French and Kennedy at the offices of Bricker and Eckler in Columbus. The second is a breakfast reception for Justice French on Wednesday, April 23 rd Willow Bend Country Club in Van Wert. at the Please feel free to let us know if you have any questions.

9 Please Join Bricker & Eckler for a Reception Honoring JUSTICE JUDI FRENCH & JUSTICE SHARON KENNEDY CANDIDATES FOR OHIO SUPREME COURT JUSTICE TUESDAY, APRIL 15 TH, :30 7:30 PM BRICKER & ECKLER GRAND CONFERENCE ROOM 100 S. THIRD ST., COLUMBUS, OH $500 IS MINIMUM CONTRIBUTION FOR THIS EVENT PER JUDICIAL CANDIDATE $6,700 IS MAXIMUM PAC OR LAW FIRM CONTRIBUTION PER JUDICIAL CANDIDATE $3,600 IS MAXIMUM INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTION PER JUDICIAL CANDIDATE TWO SEPARATE PAC, LAW FIRM OR PERSONAL CHECKS ARE PAYABLE TO: FRENCH FOR JUSTICE AND KENNEDY FOR OHIO BOTH CHECKS CAN BE MAILED TO: 211 S. FIFTH ST., COLUMBUS, OH NAME: ADDRESS: CITY, STATE, ZIP: PHONE: EMPLOYER: OCCUPATION: FORM, RSVP AND/OR DIRECT QUESTIONS TO: JASON MOLIHAN AT OR JMOLIHAN@GMAIL.COM CHRISTINA LISOTTO AT OR CHRISTINALISOTTO@GMAIL.COM French for Justice and Kennedy for Ohio do not accept contributions from employees of the Ohio Supreme Court. Any employee who is inadvertently solicited should disregard the invitation to financially support these Committees. Under state law, the maximum an individual may contribute to a campaign committee is $3,600 per judicial candidate per election cycle and a PAC and Law Firm may contribute up to $6,700 per judicial candidate. Corporate contributions are prohibited. Paid for by French for Justice and Paid for by Kennedy for Ohio

10 SAVE THE DATE for a breakfast reception for Ohio Supreme Court Justice Judi French Wednesday, April 23 rd, :00 AM Willow Bend Country Club 579 Hospital Dr. Van Wert, Ohio For questions please contact: Bill Purmont at fwpurmont@yahoo.com Chris Wasson at cwasson13@roadrunner.com Jason Molihan at jmolihan@gmail.com Paid for by French for Justice