MAY 16, 2008 SENATE EYES TWEAKS TO JOB STIMULUS PACKAGE; $40 MILLION BROADBAND CARVE-OUT DISCUSSED. compiled from Gongwer

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1 MAY 16, 2008 SENATE EYES TWEAKS TO JOB STIMULUS PACKAGE; $40 MILLION BROADBAND CARVE-OUT DISCUSSED compiled from Gongwer A proposal to target broadband initiatives with a portion of the $1.57 billion bipartisan job creation plan emerged Thursday in the Senate, where lawmakers also aired now-familiar concerns over other parts of the package. However, if the questions and concerns raised in the Senate Finance & Financial Institutions Committee are any indication, the multi-faceted package (SB 335, HB 554, HJR 5 & SJR 7) appears headed for some relatively minor adjustments while maintaining the thrust of the major components. (See attached Comparison, Details Chart) Earlier this week, members of the House Finance & Appropriations Committee already signaled some members' aims to alter the Historic Preservation Tax Credit Program and the Ohio Turnpike funding component. Among the developments brought to light in the Senate committee Thursday was the goal of some lawmakers to carve out a portion of the funds to bolster broadband development throughout the state. Chairman John Carey (R-Wellston) and Sen. Joy Padgett (R-Coshocton) raised the issue in the context of general revenue fund-backed components of the plan - particularly the $80 million in former tobacco foundation money, or GRF cash, which is as part of a $400 million pot of mostly bonds currently earmarked for local infrastructure projects through the Ohio Public Works Commission. Because OPWC bonds are constitutionally restricted for use on roads and bridges and the like, any broadband earmark would have to involve cash versus debt. Sen. Carey asked the administration to consider using $40 million of OPWC's current GRF allotment in the bill toward broadband projects. Office of Budget and Management Director Pari Sabety acknowledged broadband initiatives have been a priority for Gov. Ted Strickland, but said the concept was "something we should tread cautiously" on given OPWC restrictions and the overall aim of the measure, which is to generate job growth. Sen. Padgett said broadband availability is sometimes "part of the answer" regarding commercial developments. Sen. Carey remarked, "We need to figure out a way to get this done." The Senate panel, picking up where House members left off on committee hearings on companion legislation held Tuesday and Wednesday expressed further concerns regarding the unprecedented diversion of $200 million in Ohio Turnpike revenues as well as the restructuring of the historic tax credits compared to the current pilot program. Senators Capri Cafaro (D- Hubbard) and Mark Wagoner (R-Ottawa Hills) questioned the turnpike language, which would provide authority to use mostly toll revenues to pay off new bonds issued for the package over the next decade or so. Ms. Sabety reiterated the administration's objection to an amendment that would restrict toll hikes during the bond retirement period, as well as the view that the 1

2 diversion would not negatively impact turnpike operations or planned improvements. Nevertheless, with northern Ohio lawmakers on both sides of the aisle uncomfortable with the turnpike provisions, proposals have been floated to reduce or scrap the diversion altogether. Responding to another question from Sen. Carafo, the OBM director said the $250 million for higher education initiatives in the bill wouldn't get disbursed until the start of the next biennium budget cycle. The program will provide $25 million annually over five years for both internships and co-op initiatives. Senators Eric Kearney (D-Cincinnati) and Tom Sawyer (D-Akron) suggested that more legislative guidance was in order for the historical tax credits and other components of the package. The latter lawmaker, for instance, remarked that the numerous options written into the $250 million internship and co-op piece seemed to provide carte blanche disbursement authority for the Board of Regents chancellor. Sen. Kearney asked if more specifics could be incorporated into the tax credit program to give developers more confidence. Department of Taxation Legislative Director Tom Walsh said the administration was willing to work with lawmakers on the language. Sen. Sawyer opined that the funding targets were "narrow" in the legislation and would miss such strong Ohio industries as advanced polymers, which thrive in his area. "There is a far wider range of enterprise" that could be considered for funding, he said. And Sen. Keith Faber (R-Celina) joined other panelists in voicing a general desire to ensure that the funds, most of which are to be spent over the next three years, are distributed throughout the state. Sen. Faber asked what assurances the administration could provide that a fair share of the money would go to rural areas of the state. OBM Director Sabety acknowledged that each program component would target industries that may be clustered in certain regions, but that the overall package was designed to bolster developments across all areas of the state. For instance, while some of the "bio" funds in the bill would likely be focused in parts of the state with existing related industries, she said rural areas would benefit disproportionately from the advanced energy component, part of which will be financed with Coal Development Bonds. Sen. Faber also asked the administration to provide evidence that similar past jobs initiatives have lived up to their hype in terms of producing thousands of jobs as projected. Utilizing Department of Development models, the package at hand is expected to generate 57,000 positions, have of which would be long term. "My concern would be that we get some data on that" and whether past job stimulus estimates have proven to be "historically accurate," he said. HOUSE, SENATE RELEASE HEARING SCHEDULE FOR CAPITAL BILL PROCESS Hearings on the capital/budget corrections bill package begin in the House Finance & Appropriations Committee Monday at 11:00 a.m., with hearings scheduled through Thursday morning. The Senate Finance & Financial Institutions Committee will commence hearings on the package at 1:00 p.m. Thursday and continue with possible hearings on Friday and Saturday and the following Tuesday. 2

3 The legislation will include Governor Strickland s planned statutory revisions aimed at alleviating a predicted $740 million biennium shortfall. Gov. Strickland said he would consider using some portion of Ohio's $1 billion Budget Stabilization Fund, or "rainy day" account, if state revenues continue to struggle. "But no decision like that has been made, added the Governor, and it will not be made until I feel it is totally justified." And as always the capital bill serves as the last shot for numerous other code changes before legislators leave the statehouse for summer. DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENT ANNOUNCES PLANNED ROLLOUT OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT COLLABORATION GRANT APPLICATIONS The Ohio Department of Development on May 20 th will launch the Local Government Services Collaboration Grant Program, an initiative designed to encourage new forms of collaboration among Ohio s many governmental jurisdictions. The Local Government Services Collaboration Grant Program was established in the Ohio Biennial Budget and is designed to provide grants to local governments interested in examining the possibility of combining the provision of local government services with those of other local governments. You are invited to the Project Launch of the Local Government Services Collaboration Grant Program. This meeting will be held via videoconference from 8:30 a.m. 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 20, In this time, Lieutenant Governor Lee Fisher will kick off the meeting with remarks about the program and outline the State s commitment to collaborative endeavors. A team from the Ohio Department of Development will explain the program and answer questions from stakeholders. Universities throughout the State will serve as regional hubs for the event and will be hosting the video conference: University of Akron Bowling Green State University Cuyahoga Community College University of Cincinnati Cleveland State University University of Dayton James A Rhodes State College Kent State University The Ohio State University Ohio University Southern State Community College University of Toledo Washington State Community College Wright State University Youngstown State University Precise information such as building and room number as well as parking instructions will be available online after Wednesday. These sites have been selected for logistical reasons, and you are strongly encouraged to participate at one of these locations. After the formal 3

4 videoconference, you are encouraged to stay for a longer discussion among stakeholders to determine interest in pulling together projects. This videoconference will also be streamed live on the Internet so that those who cannot attend in person will be able to watch online and instant message your questions and comments, which will be read aloud as time permits. A Web link will be distributed shortly. INFORMATION ABOUT GRANT PROGRAM: Eligible applicants for the program are counties, municipal corporations, or townships. The applicant must propose a feasibility study designed to combine its provision of local government services with those of at least two other counties, municipal corporations, or townships; or any combination of at least two other counties, municipal corporations, or townships. Examples of local government services include, but are not limited to: economic development, health and human services, police and fire protection, emergency service, public safety communications, refuse collection, snow removal, road repair, parks and recreation, and public utilities such as water and sewer services. The Ohio Department of Development seeks to identify thoughtful and creative collaboration ideas for feasibility studies. Applications will be due on or before July 29, 2008 to the Ohio Department of Development. HOUSE PASSES BILL ADDING FLEXIBILITY FOR COUNTIES TO USE DELINQUENT TAXES TO ADDRESS FORECLOSURE CRISIS as reported in Gongwer The House took action on a bill Tuesday that gives counties the ability to use surplus delinquent tax collections to deal with a variety of issues surrounding the home foreclosure explosion. Sponsored by Rep. Matt Huffman (R-Lima), the bill grants county prosecutors and treasurers in counties with a population greater than 100,000 the authority to tap up to $3 million in so-called "DTAC" monies to: "abate nuisances related to residential buildings in foreclosure," and; "prosecute alleged violations of criminal and civil laws governing real estate and related transactions, including fraud, abuse, and predatory lending." Rep. Huffman said the new authority would "go a long way in abating the problems the cities have" as a result of abandoned and foreclosed homes and "provide a great tool for developers" in municipalities across the state. Rep. Jon Peterson (R-Delaware), who is unopposed this fall for the Delaware County treasurer's post, amended the bill to give treasurers authority to determine what constitutes "surplus" DTAC money. The bill passed 91-4, with Reps. Tom Brinkman (R-Cincinnati), Tony Core (R-Rushsylvania), Diana Fessler (R-New Carlisle) and Bruce Goodwin (R-Defiance) in opposition. JUDICIAL PAY RAISE PROVISION REMOVED; ELECTION BOARDS PAY RAISE BILL INTRODUCED An election boards pay raise bill was introduced this week. The bill (House Bill 558) has 4

5 bipartisan sponsorship with Rep. Bill Batchelder (R-Medina) and Rep. Fred Strahorn (D- Dayton) putting their names to the legislation. As introduced the legislation would provide for a bump of one hundred dollars for each full one thousand of the first one hundred thousand population; a forty eight dollar bump for each full one thousand of the second one hundred thousand population; a twenty six dollar raise for each full one thousand of the third one hundred thousand population; and finally an eight dollar jump for each full one thousand above three hundred thousand population. The legislation would provide that the compensation of a member of the board would not be less than seven thousand three hundred seventy-five dollars and ninety-one cents and would not exceed forty-three thousand seven hundred nine dollars and eight cents annually. Meanwhile House Bill 173 (R-Seitz), as expected, saw a substitute bill that effectively deleted a proposed salary increase for judges. A few legislators offered opposition to the removal of the language; Rep. Budish commented that increasing qualification requirements while not boosting salaries would not solve the problem the bill was intended to address while Rep. Batchelder, a former appeals court judge, said in opposition to the revised bill that members of the judiciary need a pay raise. "I'd be happy to vote for that," said Batchelder. However, the Chairman, Rep. Lou Blessing noted that, "it's difficult to pass a pay raise without gubernatorial support." SPONSOR TESTIMONY OFFERED FOR HB 550, WIRELESS 911 BILL On Wednesday, State Representatives Larry Flowers (R-Canal Winchester) and Steve Driehaus (D-Cincinnati) offered support testimony for HB 550, the wireless 911 legislation. The bill would extend until 2013 the wireless charge, raise the minimum annual fund disbursement amount for each county from $25,000 to $90,000, and would broaden local uses of that revenue Rep. Flowers testified that the legislation was a product of input from "numerous public safety groups and local 911 coordinators" that stressed the need for the monthly surcharge to continue, given only 44 counties have implemented "Phase II" of the necessary wireless enhancements. "Inadequate funding and the inability to sustain services have resulted in some counties questioning the viability and liability of deploying if there is no funding to sustain the services," he said. Ohio's surcharge, recommended for continuation in 2006 by the Ohio 911 coordinator, is the fifth-lowest wireless charge in the nation said Flowers. The sponsor continued, "The wireless E911 review also concluded that allocation updates were necessary to ensure that Ohio's smaller counties receive necessary funding for the wireless upgrades. The bill as drafted "will raise the minimum annual fund disbursement amount for each county from $25,000 to $90,000 in an effort to remedy these shortfalls." Rep. Driehaus, the bipartisan cosponsor of the bill, addressed the fears of numerous legislators in the General Assembly in that he doesn't take lightly the extension of a sunset provision on fees, but added that public safety is a paramount issue for policymakers and thus it is warranted in this case. 5

6 ANIMAL CONTROL LEGISLATION VOTED OUT OF HOUSE COMMITTEE House Bill 446 (Webster) was voted out of the House Local Government Committee this week after much work from the sponsor, the Ohio Dog Wardens Association, CCAO and other interested parties. The comprehensive rewrite of Ohio s dog warden statutes received mixed reactions in the House Committee prior to the vote. Representatives from the Dog Wardens Association complimented the sponsor and his staff for their hours of work on this major undertaking, while noting areas of concern that remain in the bill. These areas include: (1) renaming the dog warden to animal control officer; (2) microchip provisions; and (3) due process relative to when and under what conditions a veterinary can write a permission letter, stating that a dog can not wear a dog tag due to medical reasons and that an alternative method for identifying the dog will be provided. Breeders testified that the bill raises fees too high. A representative of the hunters/sportsmen association testified that the bill should not require a veterinary to provide rabies vaccinations, and that individuals should be allowed to administer to their own animals. Members of the committee voting no on the measure included Representative Wagner, Newcomb, McGregor, and Celeste. BILL TO STUDY LOCAL GOVERNMENT RECEIVED NO ACTION THIS WEEK A bill to establish a study commission on local government was slated for a possible vote in the House Local Government Committee this week, as well as last, and no such action has been taken yet. House Bill 521 (Wolpert/Flowers) is not scheduled for consideration next week. Rumors circulate around the Statehouse that there may be an effort to amend this proposal into another bill that is moving through the process. While several county commissioners have expressed their support for a review of Ohio s governmental structures and offices and support exploring ways to collaborate and be more efficient in providing services, CCAO does not have a position on the bill at this time. There are some concerns with the specific language in House Bill 521, and CCAO staff has been directed to seek amendments to this proposal. These amendments include: (1) providing local government representation on the study commission; (2) expanding the scope of the review to include the relationship and role of state government relative to the delivery of services at the local level; and (3) including a review of the powers of local governments, in an effort to deal with administrative and operational authority of non-home rule governments. If you have questions about this proposal, feel free to contact CCAO staffers Cheryl Subler or Josh Hahn at (614) or at csubler@ccao.org and jhahn@ccao.org, respectively. NEW BILLS INTRODUCED: SB 339 ANATOMICAL GIFTS (Wagoner) To adopt the Revised Uniform Anatomical Gift Act. Am., En. & Rep , , , , , , , etc SJR 7 CLEAN OHIO FUND (Wagoner) Proposing to enact Section 2q of Article VIII of the Constitution of the State of Ohio to authorize the issuance of general and other obligations of the state to pay 6

7 the costs relating to environmental and related conservation, preservation, and revitalization purposes. SB 335 ECONOMIC STIMULUS (Carey) To establish the Ohio Bioproducts Development Program and Ohio Biomedical Development Program to be administered by the Third Frontier Commission, to establish the Third Frontier Economic Stimulus Advisory Board, to expand the economic development programs administered by the Department of Development to include transportation logistics and distribution infrastructure projects, to provide additional money for capital improvement projects of local subdivisions and for highway capital improvement projects, to modify the authority of the Ohio Coal Development Office, to administer coal research and development projects, to provide for advanced energy projects administered by the Ohio Air Quality Development Authority, to establish the Ohio Innovation Partnership Co-op/Internship Program, to extend the historical building rehabilitation tax credit, limit credit amounts, require regional distributive balance and economic effects to be considered, and to make an appropriation. Am. & En , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , to , to , to , and SB 337 MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENT (Wagoner) To modify the Medicaid program's reimbursement rate for medical transportation services. Am and HB 558 ELECTIONS PAY RAISE (Batchelder) To increase the salary paid to members of boards of elections and to allow members of boards of elections to purchase additional service credit in the Public Employees Retirement System. Am , , and HJR 5 CLEAN OHIO FUND (Sears) Proposing to enact Section 2q of Article VIII of the Constitution of the State of Ohio to authorize the issuance of general and other obligations of the state to pay the costs relating to environmental and related conservation, preservation, and revitalization purposes. HB 554 ECONOMIC STIMULUS (Hottinger) To establish the Ohio Bioproducts Development Program and Ohio Biomedical Development Program to be administered by the Third Frontier Commission, to establish the Third Frontier Economic Stimulus Advisory Board, to expand the economic development programs administered by the Department of Development to include transportation logistics and distribution infrastructure projects, to provide additional money for capital improvement projects of local subdivisions and for highway capital improvement projects of local subdivisions and for highway capital improvement projects, to modify the authority of the Ohio Coal Development Office, to administer coal research and development projects, to provide for advanced energy projects administered by the Ohio Air Quality Development Authority, to establish the Ohio Innovation Partnership Coop/Internship Program, to extend the historical building rehabilitation tax credit, limit credit amounts, require regional distributive balance and economic effects to be considered, and to make an appropriation. Am. & En , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , to , to , to , and HB 555 WORKERS COMPENSATION (Zehringer) To prohibit an employee from receiving workers compensation benefits in this state if the employee has received a decision on the merits of a claim filed in another state for the same injury or occupational disease, to allow an Ohio employer to obtain, through the Administrator of Workers Compensation or an insurance company, workers compensation insurance for claims arising in other states, and to make other changes to the Workers Compensation Law regarding interstate workers Compensation claims. COMMITTEE SCHEDULE: MONDAY, MAY 19 House Finance & Appropriations, (Chr. Hottinger, ), Rm. 313, 11:00 am 1st Hearing-Sponsor testimony on capital budget and budget corrections bill-pending introduction & referral 7

8 HB 554 ECONOMIC STIMULUS (Hottinger) To establish the Ohio Bioproducts Development Program and Ohio Biomedical Development Program to be administered by the Third Frontier Commission, to establish the Third Frontier Economic Stimulus Advisory Board, to expand the economic development programs administered by the Department of Development to include transportation logistics and distribution infrastructure projects, to provide additional money for capital improvement projects of local subdivisions and for highway capital improvement projects of local subdivisions and for highway capital improvement projects, to modify the authority of the Ohio Coal Development Office, to administer coal research and development projects, to provide for advanced energy projects administered by the Ohio Air Quality Development Authority, to establish the Ohio Innovation Partnership Coop/Internship Program, to extend the historical building rehabilitation tax credit, limit credit amounts, require regional distributive balance and economic effects to be considered, and to make an appropriation.--3rd Hearing-All testimony HJR 5 CLEAN OHIO FUND (Sears) Proposing to enact Section 2q of Article VIII of the Constitution of the State of Ohio to authorize the issuance of general and other obligations of the state to pay the costs relating to environmental and related conservation, preservation, and revitalization purposes.-- 3rd Hearing-All testimony TUESDAY, MAY 20 House State Government & Elections, (Chr. Daniels, ), Rm. 122, 9:00 am SB 289 VETERANS DEPARTMENT (Spada) To create a Department of Veterans Affairs and a Director of Veterans Affairs, to create duties for the department and the director, to transfer the duties of the Governor's Office of Veterans Affairs to the department, and to place the Ohio Veterans' Home Agency and the Ohio War Orphans Scholarship Board under the department.--4th Hearing-All testimony-possible vote House Finance & Appropriations, (Chr. Hottinger, ), Rm. 313, 9:30 am 2nd Hearing-All testimony on capital budget and budget corrections bill-pending introduction & referral HB 554 ECONOMIC STIMULUS (Hottinger) To establish the Ohio Bioproducts Development Program and Ohio Biomedical Development Program to be administered by the Third Frontier Commission, to establish the Third Frontier Economic Stimulus Advisory Board, to expand the economic development programs administered by the Department of Development to include transportation logistics and distribution infrastructure projects, to provide additional money for capital improvement projects of local subdivisions and for highway capital improvement projects of local subdivisions and for highway capital improvement projects, to modify the authority of the Ohio Coal Development Office, to administer coal research and development projects, to provide for advanced energy projects administered by the Ohio Air Quality Development Authority, to establish the Ohio Innovation Partnership Coop/Internship Program, to extend the historical building rehabilitation tax credit, limit credit amounts, require regional distributive balance and economic effects to be considered, and to make an appropriation.--4th Hearing-Possible amendments & vote HJR 5 CLEAN OHIO FUND (Sears) Proposing to enact Section 2q of Article VIII of the Constitution of the State of Ohio to authorize the issuance of general and other obligations of the state to pay the costs relating to environmental and related conservation, preservation, and revitalization purposes.-- 4th Hearing-Possible amendments & vote Senate Highways & Transportation, (Chr. Buehrer, ), North Hearing Rm., 9:30 am HB 318 ROAD STATUS (Gibbs) To make changes relative to the provisions that govern the placing of county and township roads on nonmaintained status.--2nd Hearing-All testimony HB 30 TRAFFIC CAMERA SIGNS (McGregor, R.) To require any local authority that enforces any traffic law by means of traffic law photo-monitoring devices to erect signs on every highway or freeway that is part of the state highway system and that enters that local authority to inform inbound traffic that the local authority utilizes traffic law photo-monitoring devices to enforce laws.--8th Hearing-All testimony-possible amendments/substitute & vote 8

9 House Healthcare Access & Affordability, (Chr. Raussen, ), Rm. 017, 9:30 am HB 456 HEALTH CARE (Raussen) To establish Ohio CARE and to amend section of the Revised Code to limit or deny funds under the Hospital Care Assurance Program to a hospital that fails to contract with Medicaid managed care organizations and to provide that these provisions of this act terminate on October 16, 2009, when section of the Revised Code is repealed on that date.--12th Hearing-All testimony Senate State & Local Government & Veterans Affairs, (Chr. Cates, ), South Hearing Rm., 10:00 am HB 350 STUDENT PRECINCT OFFICERS (Wolpert) To permit a student at an Ohio institution of higher education to serve as a precinct election official in the county where they attend school, and to permit up to two high school seniors to serve as precinct officers at a polling place with six or more precinct officers.--4th Hearing-All testimony House Session, (Chr. Husted, ), House Chamber, Webcast, Calendar, 11:00 am Senate Judiciary-Civil Justice, (Chr. Goodman, ), North Hearing Rm., 11:00 am HB 138 JUDICIAL SALES (Foley, Blessing) To require purchasers of real property at a judicial sale to provide certain identifying information, to allow municipal corporations to conduct inspections of property subject to a writ of execution, to require judicial sales to be confirmed within thirty days of sale, to require officers who sell real property at a judicial sale to file a deed within fourteen days of confirmation, to authorize courts and county boards of revision to transfer certain tax delinquent lands subject to judicial foreclosure without appraisal or sale, to permit a summary property description to be read at a judicial sale, and to offer property that did not sell at a judicial sale to a political subdivision before forfeiture to the state.--5th Hearing-All testimony-possible amendments, substitute & vote SB 169 MEDICAID FRAUD (Goodman) To prohibit and provide civil penalties for the filing of false or fraudulent claims with the state and for defrauding the state of money or property in relation to the Medicaid program; to create a procedure for investigation by the Attorney General of suspected violations and to authorize the Attorney General to bring civil enforcement actions on behalf of the state.--1st Hearing-Sponsor Senate Session, (Chr. Harris, ), Senate Chamber, Webcast, 1:30 pm Senate Finance & Financial Institutions, (Chr. Carey, ), Finance Hearing Rm., 2:30 pm or after session SB 335 ECONOMIC STIMULUS (Carey) To establish the Ohio Bioproducts Development Program and Ohio Biomedical Development Program to be administered by the Third Frontier Commission, to establish the Third Frontier Economic Stimulus Advisory Board, to expand the economic development programs administered by the Department of Development to include transportation logistics and distribution infrastructure projects, to provide additional money for capital improvement projects of local subdivisions and for highway capital improvement projects, to modify the authority of the Ohio Coal Development Office, to administer coal research and development projects, to provide for advanced energy projects administered by the Ohio Air Quality Development Authority, to establish the Ohio Innovation Partnership Co-op/Internship Program, to extend the historical building rehabilitation tax credit, limit credit amounts, require regional distributive balance and economic effects to be considered, and to make an appropriation.--2nd Hearing-All testimony SJR 7 CLEAN OHIO FUND (Wagoner) Proposing to enact Section 2q of Article VIII of the Constitution of the State of Ohio to authorize the issuance of general and other obligations of the state to pay the costs relating to environmental and related conservation, preservation, and revitalization purposes.-- 2nd Hearing-All testimony 9

10 WEDNESDAY, MAY 21 House Agriculture & Natural Resources, (Chr. Aslanides, ), Rm. 116, 8:30 am SB 323 MINING OPERATIONS (Niehaus) To revise certain coal mine safety requirements; to create the Mine Safety Fund to be used for specified mine safety purposes; to allow the Administrator of the Bureau of Workers Compensation to transfer a portion of the investment earnings of the Coal-Workers Pneumoconiosis Fund to the Mine Safety Fund and to declare an emergency.--1st Hearing-Sponsor Senate Agriculture, (Chr. Mumper, ), North Hearing Rm., 9:00 am HB 323 FENCES LAW (Gibbs) To revise the Fences Law.--1st Hearing-Sponsor & proponent HB 71 DOG FIGHTING (White) To apply certain impoundment provisions in the companion animal statutes to the confiscation of dogs under the statute prohibiting dog fighting.--5th Hearing-All testimony-possible substitute & vote Senate Ways & Means & Economic Development, (Chr. Amstutz, ), South Hearing Rm., 9:00 am HB 359 NUISANCE ABATEMENT (Huffman) To extend to all counties the authority to utilize surplus delinquent tax collections to facilitate nuisance abatement of deteriorated residential buildings in foreclosure and to terminate the temporary authority of a county with a population exceeding 1.2 million to use such collections to prevent residential mortgage foreclosures.--1st Hearing-Sponsor House Finance & Appropriations, (Chr. Hottinger, ), Rm. 313, 9:30 am 3rd Hearing-All testimony on capital budget and budget corrections bill-pending introduction & referral Senate Finance & Financial Institutions, (Chr. Carey, ), Finance Hearing Rm., 9:30 am HB 554 ECONOMIC STIMULUS (Hottinger) To establish the Ohio Bioproducts Development Program and Ohio Biomedical Development Program to be administered by the Third Frontier Commission, to establish the Third Frontier Economic Stimulus Advisory Board, to expand the economic development programs administered by the Department of Development to include transportation logistics and distribution infrastructure projects, to provide additional money for capital improvement projects of local subdivisions and for highway capital improvement projects of local subdivisions and for highway capital improvement projects, to modify the authority of the Ohio Coal Development Office, to administer coal research and development projects, to provide for advanced energy projects administered by the Ohio Air Quality Development Authority, to establish the Ohio Innovation Partnership Coop/Internship Program, to extend the historical building rehabilitation tax credit, limit credit amounts, require regional distributive balance and economic effects to be considered, and to make an appropriation.--1st Hearing-All testimony-pending House passage & referral HJR 5 CLEAN OHIO FUND (Sears) Proposing to enact Section 2q of Article VIII of the Constitution of the State of Ohio to authorize the issuance of general and other obligations of the state to pay the costs relating to environmental and related conservation, preservation, and revitalization purposes.-- 1st Hearing-All testimony-pending House passage & referral House Session, (Chr. Husted, ), House Chamber, Webcast, Calendar, 1:30 pm Senate Session, (Chr. Harris, ), Senate Chamber, Webcast, 1:30 pm Senate Health, Human Services & Aging, (Chr. Coughlin, ), South Hearing Rm., 2:30 pm or after session HB 346 HOSPITAL STAFFING (Hughes) Regarding hospital staffing guidelines for registered nurses.-- 4th Hearing-All testimony-possible vote SB 232 HOME CHILD CARE (Stivers) To revise the law governing child care.--3rd Hearing-All testimony 10

11 House Infrastructure, Homeland Security & Veterans Affairs, (Chr. Reinhard, ), Rm. 114, 2:30 pm HB 498 MILITARY LEAVE (Fessler) To grant annual military leave of up to 408 hours to firefighters and those other public employees who do not work a traditional workweek of 40 hours and to entitle firefighters and these public employees to use such leave to cover an entire work shift any part of which was used to perform military service.--1st Hearing-Sponsor HB 540 PUBLIC TRANSIT (Fende, Schindel) To create the Public Transit Funding Task Force to study Ohio's public transportation funding and issue a report.--1st Hearing-Sponsor Senate Insurance, Commerce & Labor, (Chr. Stivers, ), North Hearing Rm., 3:30 pm SB 334 WORKERS' COMPENSATION (Faber) To prohibit an employee from receiving workers' compensation benefits in this state if the employee has received a decision on the merits of a claim filed in another state for the same injury or occupational disease, to allow an Ohio employer to obtain, through the Administrator of Workers' Compensation or an insurance company, workers' compensation insurance for claims arising in other states, and to make other changes to the Workers' Compensation Law regarding interstate workers' compensation claims.--2nd Hearing-All testimony SB 115 CHILD INSURANCE (Stivers) To require health insurers to provide coverage for dependent children until the age of thirty if the child meets specified conditions.--6th Hearing-All testimony- Possible amendments/substitute & vote House Health, (Chr. Wachtmann, ), Rm. 017, 4:00 pm HB 493 PATHOLOGY SERVICES (Daniels) Regarding billing for anatomic pathology services.--7th Hearing-All testimony-possible vote THURSDAY, MAY 22 House Local & Municipal Government & Urban Revitalization, (Chr. Wolpert, ), Rm. 018, 8:30 am SB 268 COUNTY BIDDING (Seitz) To allow a county contracting authority to use competitive sealed proposals instead of competitive sealed bidding when doing so would be advantageous to the county.- -2nd Hearing-All testimony-amendments & possible vote House Finance & Appropriations, (Chr. Hottinger, ), Rm. 313, 9:30 am 4th Hearing-All testimony on capital budget and budget corrections bill-pending introduction & referral-possible amendments & vote Senate Finance & Financial Institutions, (Chr. Carey, ), Finance Hearing Rm., 10:00 am HB 554 ECONOMIC STIMULUS (Hottinger) To establish the Ohio Bioproducts Development Program and Ohio Biomedical Development Program to be administered by the Third Frontier Commission, to establish the Third Frontier Economic Stimulus Advisory Board, to expand the economic development programs administered by the Department of Development to include transportation logistics and distribution infrastructure projects, to provide additional money for capital improvement projects of local subdivisions and for highway capital improvement projects of local subdivisions and for highway capital improvement projects, to modify the authority of the Ohio Coal Development Office, to administer coal research and development projects, to provide for advanced energy projects administered by the Ohio Air Quality Development Authority, to establish the Ohio Innovation Partnership Coop/Internship Program, to extend the historical building rehabilitation tax credit, limit credit amounts, require regional distributive balance and economic effects to be considered, and to make an appropriation.--2nd Hearing-All testimony-pending House passage & referral HJR 5 CLEAN OHIO FUND (Sears) Proposing to enact Section 2q of Article VIII of the Constitution of the State of Ohio to authorize the issuance of general and other obligations of the state to pay the costs relating to environmental and related conservation, preservation, and revitalization purposes.-- 2nd Hearing-All testimony-pending House passage & referral 11

12 House Ways & Means, (Chr. Gibbs, ), Rm. 114, 10:30 am HB 173 JUDICIAL OPERATIONS (Seitz) To increase the compensation of justices and judges of the courts, to change the qualifications for all judges, to require the Supreme Court to establish a qualification program for candidates for judicial office, to create the Judicial Allotment Review Commission to study and review the allotment of judgeships in the courts for the purpose of recommending legislation to ensure the efficient and prompt administration of justice in Ohio, to create the Judicial Appointment Review Commission to make recommendations of persons to fill judicial vacancies, to specify that a portion of certain court costs currently deposited to the credit of the Reparations Fund be deposited in the fund for court security, and to make appropriations for courtrelated purposes.--11th Hearing-Committee discussion-possible amendments & vote Senate Session, (Chr. Harris, ), Senate Chamber, Webcast, 11:00 am House Session, (Chr. Husted, ), House Chamber, Webcast, Calendar, 1:00 pm Senate Finance & Financial Institutions, (Chr. Carey, ), Finance Hearing Rm., 1:00 pm 1st Hearing-Sponsor testimony on capital budget and corrections bill-pending House passage & referral FRIDAY, MAY 23 Senate Finance & Financial Institutions, (Chr. Carey, ), Finance Hearing Rm., 10:00 am 2nd Hearing-All testimony on capital budget and corrections bill HB 554 ECONOMIC STIMULUS (Hottinger) To establish the Ohio Bioproducts Development Program and Ohio Biomedical Development Program to be administered by the Third Frontier Commission, to establish the Third Frontier Economic Stimulus Advisory Board, to expand the economic development programs administered by the Department of Development to include transportation logistics and distribution infrastructure projects, to provide additional money for capital improvement projects of local subdivisions and for highway capital improvement projects of local subdivisions and for highway capital improvement projects, to modify the authority of the Ohio Coal Development Office, to administer coal research and development projects, to provide for advanced energy projects administered by the Ohio Air Quality Development Authority, to establish the Ohio Innovation Partnership Coop/Internship Program, to extend the historical building rehabilitation tax credit, limit credit amounts, require regional distributive balance and economic effects to be considered, and to make an appropriation.--3rd Hearing-No testimony-possible amendments & vote HJR 5 CLEAN OHIO FUND (Sears) Proposing to enact Section 2q of Article VIII of the Constitution of the State of Ohio to authorize the issuance of general and other obligations of the state to pay the costs relating to environmental and related conservation, preservation, and revitalization purposes.-- 3rd Hearing-No testimony-possible amendments & vote SATURDAY, MAY 24 Senate Finance & Financial Institutions, (Chr. Carey, ), Finance Hearing Rm., 10:00 am 3rd Hearing-All testimony on capital budget and corrections bill-meeting scheduled on if needed basis TUESDAY, MAY 27 Senate Finance & Financial Institutions, (Chr. Carey, ), Finance Hearing Rm., 2:30 pm 3rd or 4th Hearing-No testimony on capital budget and corrections bill-possible amendments & vote 12