Cosponsored Legislation

2003-2004
     125th General Assembly

HB 75 (BUEHRER): KOREAN WAR VETERANS’ DIPLOMAS

Modeled after similar legislation which granted high school diplomas to World War II veterans, this legislation would extend the same courtesy to veterans of the Korean War. This bill was signed by Governor Taft on Tuesday, December 9, 2003 and will be effective March 9th, 2004.

HB 108 (DRIEHAUS): CERTIFIED NOTICE OF UNCLAIMED FUNDS

Very similar to House Bill 282 from the 124th General Assembly sponsored by Rep. Olman, this bill requires the holder of certain unclaimed funds to first search public records for more current address of those account holders for whom the fund belongs to before declaring the funds unclaimed and remitting to the state of Ohio. The bill also requires in certain cases that notice be sent to the holder via certified mail and allows the cost of such service, a maximum set at $20, to be deducted from the account holder’s fund. This law became effective October 21st, 2003.

HB 149 (FESSLER): EMERGENCY MILITARY PERSONNEL REVIEW OF CHILD SUPPORT

Recent armed conflicts have called many of our men and women into active military duty, forcing them to leave their families, homes, and jobs behind. As a result, many men and women will see a change in their annual income, which until this bill, would not be reflected in their responsibility to pay child support. House Bill 149 enables a review of the income of those men and women paying child support that have been called to active military duty and a recalculation of their responsibility to accurately reflect their annual income during active military service.

2001-2002
     124th General Assembly

HB 3 (BLASDEL): KEEP OHIO CLEAN ACT

Sponsored by Rep. Charles Blasdel, HB 3 provides for the implementation of programs to finance brownfields revitalization projects, natural resource projects, and farmland preservation projects through the issuance of obligations of the state. Specifically, HB 3 implements the voter-approved State Issue 1 – a $400 million bond program to pay the costs of projects for environmental conservation and revitalization purposes. This legislation earmarks $25 million for farmland preservation, $175 million for green space preservation, and $200 million for brownfields redevelopment. The program utilizes already existing state programs, and promotes local involvement in funding decisions. HB 3 was signed into law by Governor Taft and became effective on July 26th, 2001.

HB 4 (HAGAN): PRESCRIPTION DRUG PROTECTION PLAN

This bill grants the Ohio Department of Aging (ODA) the authority to offer a prescription drug discount card to Ohioans who are eligible for the Golden Buckeye Program. Under the program, individuals who possess a Golden Buckeye Card will receive a new card that allows them to purchase prescription drugs at a discounted rate. Through a competitive bidding process, the Department of Aging will select an insurance company or pharmaceutical benefits manager to administer the prescription drug discount program to Golden Buckeye Cardholders. The discount will be available through the pharmacies that choose to participate in this program. The amount of the discount will be determined by the insurance company offering the best program for Ohio’s seniors and disabled. The discount will be achieved by harnessing the buying power of those who qualify for the Golden Buckeye Program. Ohioans 60 and over and the disabled will qualify for this program. House Bill 4 passed the House 94-1 and is pending in the Ohio Senate.

HB 5 (LENDRUM): EVERY VOTE COUNTS: A CITIZENS’ INITIATIVE

This act codifies standards for counting votes, establishes criteria as to what constitutes a vote, and specifically addresses dates for boards of election to complete their official count of votes. The measure also addresses voting assistance for blind, disabled or illiterate persons, and allows flexibility for the validation of military ballots from outside the United States. House Bill 5 also calls for the creation of an Elections Systems Study Committee that will examine Ohio’s election process. The committee will make recommendations for improving the system including any potential costs associated with those recommended changes. This bill was signed into law and became effective August 28th, 2001.

HB 9 (SETZER): NATURAL GAS ACCOUNTABILITY INITIATIVE

In addressing the skyrocketing gas rates of the winter season, this measure allows certain communities to aggregate, enabling them to bargain with natural gas suppliers on behalf of its citizens for lower gas prices. Additionally, the legislation requires stringent certification measures for retail natural gas suppliers, which would protect customers and natural gas companies from default. These measures would ensure that suppliers offer the proper managerial, technical and financial capabilities to provide the service. The bill also mandates minimum requirements relating to service, quality standards, and customer bill content. A provision in the bill also appropriated $20 million from the General Revenue Fund for Governor Taft’s Project THAW heating assistance program for low-income families.Governor Taft signed this bill into law, and it became effective on June 26th, 2001.

HB 77 (HOLLISTER): WWII VETERAN DIPLOMAS

In honor of our World War II veterans, this legislation bestows high school diplomas to WWII veterans either living or deceased whom left school early to serve or did not otherwise receive a diploma but met criteria to do so. This bill became law effective July 12th, 2001.

HB 181 (BUEHRER): 12th GRADE PROFICIENCY SCHOLARSHIPS

This legislation made an appropriation to fund $500 scholarships to those students who met the certain requirements of the 12th grade proficiency test during fiscal year 2001. This bill was signed into law by the Governor and became effective on May 29, 2001.

HB 256 (PERRY): KOREAN WAR VETERANS MEMORIAL HIGHWAY

Designates a portion of Interstate Route 75 within Lucas County as the “Korean War Veterans’ Memorial Highway.” The portion would cover I-75 beginning at the Maumee River and extending to the Michigan border. This bill was signed by Governor Taft on July 27th, 2002 and will become effective on October 24th, 2002.

2000-1999
     123th General Assembly

HB 1 (BRADING): OHIOREADS INITIATIVE

Signed into law by Governor Taft March 30, 1999, it will provide reading grants and volunteer tutors to help children from kindergarten through fourth grade improve their reading skills. The program seeks to recruit and train 20,000 volunteers to help ensure that children can read at grade level by the fourth grade.

HB 2 (TIBERI): FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION PREVENTION

This bill protects seniors and disabled adults against financial exploitation. The legislation will also enhance the penalties for crimes committed against an elderly person or disabled adult by setting the maximum penalty at 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine. Governor Taft signed the bill into law on August 10, 1999.

HB 4 (GARDNER): PATIENT PROTECTION ACT

Passed by the General Assembly June 29, 1999, this measure makes significant changes to Ohio’s managed care system including the establishment of an external review process when patients are denied coverage. It also allows deductions from state taxes for certain medical expenses and long-term health care insurance expenses. The Governor signed the bill July 13, 1999.

HB 71 (VESPER): PROTECTION AGAINST MENTAL HEALTH PATIENT THREATS

This measure, signed into law by the Governor June 15, 1999, establishes a duty for a mental health professional or organization to protect against a threat made by a client or patient if the client or patient communicates an explicit threat of serious harm against a readily identifiable individual or structure and there is reason to believe the client or patient has the intent to carry out the threat. Representative Olman worked closely with the bill’s sponsor, Representative Rose Vesper, in amending into the bill language that would include and clarify the "readily identifiable individual or structure" provisions of the bill.

HB 162 (SALERNO): PERMITTING CHILD ABUSE

The bill would make a murder caused by child abuse punishable by 15 years to life imprisonment. It also contains a provision that creates the offense of permitting child abuse. A parent, guardian or a person with custody of a child who permits serious physical harm or death to a child as a result of abuse would be guilty of this offense and subject to penalties ranging from a third to a first degree felony. This legislation was signed into law by Governor Taft May 25, 1999.

HB 516 (DAMSCHRODER): NO STOP EMERGENCY RAILROAD CROSSINGS

The bill permits a sheriff and the chief of police or other chief law enforcement officer of a municipal corporation to designate a railroad grade crossing as a "No Stop" emergency crossing. It also prohibits a railroad company and the conductor from obstructing a public street, road or highway that is designated and properly identified as an emergency crossing. This bill is currently awaiting a House Floor vote.

HB 628 (HOLLISTER): RETIREMENT BENEFITS

This legislation increases the percentage used to calculate age and service retirement allowances and disability benefits for Public Employees Retirement System members who retire or are disabled after the bill's effective date. Governor Taft signed this bill into law, which became effective on September 21, 2000.

SB 1 (GARDNER, R. A.): SCHOOL SAFETY ZONES

This measure, which creates “school safety zones,” will also incorporate several revisions in the school discipline law. Under provisions of the bill, anyone who commits a felony crime of violence in a school safety zone would be subject to an additional sentence of two years. A school safety zone is defined as school buildings, school premises, school activities and school buses. The bill was signed into law by Governor Taft May 6, 1999.

SB 3 (JOHNSON)/HB 5 (MEAD): ELECTRIC DEREGULATION

This major piece of legislation will deregulate the current monopoly electric utilities have in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electric power. The bill also authorizes customer choice in the selection of suppliers of the these services and provides for a mandated 5 percent electric rate reduction for consumers. Customers will be able to choose a supplier starting January 1, 2001. Representative Olman, as Vice-Chair of the House Public Utilities Committee, was intimately involved in the crafting of this legislation. He contributed two significant amendments to the measure that would allow for net-metering and the development of new generator systems technologies. It is expected that the passage of this legislation will lower electric utility rates for all consumers. Northwest Ohio stand to benefit the most once the competition is fully implemented. The bill was signed by the Governor July 6, 1999.

SB 207 (ARMBRUSTER): RAILROAD CROSSING OBSTRUCTION PENALTIES

This bill increases the penalty for obstruction of a street, road, or highway by a railroad from a minor misdemeanor to a misdemeanor of the first degree. The Governor signed this bill into law, and it became effective on October 11, 2000.

1998-1997
     122th General Assembly

HB 44 (WILSON): JOB PROTECTION FOR VOLUNTEER FIRE FIGHTERS

Was assigned to the House Commerce & Labor Committee. The bill would provide job protection for volunteer firefighters who are absent or tardy because they were responding to an emergency.

SB 35 (B. JOHNSON): GRADUATED DRIVER’S LICENSES

Establishes a graduated system of licensing for first time drivers. Restrictions include a curfew on drivers under age 17. As a member of the House Transportation and Public Safety Committee Representative Olman played a key role in the development and passage of this measure. The bill was signed into law on October 31, 1997 and became effective July 1, 1998.

SB 55 (WATTS): ACADEMIC STANDARDS

As a member of the House Education committee, Representative Olman actively participated in the development of this legislation. The legislation strengthens current academic standards including a phase-in for the 10th grade proficiency test and an increase in the number of credits required to graduate high school.

HB 215 (JOHNSON)

Signed into law June 30, 1997. This bill, the biennial operating appropriations budget for the State, contained a provision to allocate $31.5 million to nonqualifying or upper tier districts to raise the SchoolNet Plus program to $350 per student.

HB 697 & HJR 22 (JOHNSON): SCHOOL FUNDING REFORM

HJR 22 passed both houses on February 4, 1998. The measure placed a bond issue on the May 1998 ballot. The bonds would have been issued to help pay for school facility needs. Representative Olman played an instrumental role in crafting the 1% sales tax ballot proposal. Half of the revenue from the 1% sales tax would have gone to schools and the other half to property tax relief. The measure appeared on the ballot as Issue 2 on May 8, 1998 and was defeated.

HB 732 (MEAD): ELECTRIC DEREGULATION

Introduced March 26, 1998, this measure would have provided for competition in retail electric service, which is expected to reduce the cost of electric power to all Ohioans. As Vice-Chair of the House Public Utilities Committee and as a member of the Joint Committee on Electric Utility Deregulation, Representative Olman was deeply involved in the development of this legislation.

HB 361 (VAN VYVEN): PROVIDER-HEALTH PLAN PARTNERSHIP ACT

Effective October 1, 1998, the enactment of this bill is historic for Ohio which became the first state in the country to establish comprehensive managed care reforms designed to protect patients’ rights.

1996-1995
     121th General Assembly

HB 40 (REID): HIV POSITIVE PROSTITUTION

Signed into law on February 29, 1996, H.B. 40 created three new criminal offenses for prostitutes who, after testing positive for HIV, engage in solicitation, loiter to engage in solicitation, or engage in prostitution. Representative Olman amended the bill to increase the penalty for engaging in prostitution after a positive HIV test from a fourth degree felony to a second-degree felony. This is a further step in Ohio’s attempt to fight the spread of AIDS.

HB 269 (SCHURING): JOINT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DISTRICTS

Signed into law August 16,1995. Representative Olman was actively involved in passage of this legislation. This bill stopped cities from using this as a coercive tool to force its suburban neighbors to share their income tax revenues in exchange for water to their cities. He led the fight to amend HB 269 to remove coercion.

HB 350 (TIBERI): CIVIL JUSTICE REFORM

Governor Voinovich signed H.B. 350 into law on October 28, 1996. Representative Olman was a member of the House Select Committee on Tort Reform that worked to shape the final substitute bill. This bill makes changes in Ohio’s civil law pertaining to tort, product liability and other civil actions.

SB 269 (JOHNSON B.): INSURANCE

S.B. 269 was signed by the Governor and took effect on June 28, 1996. Representative Olman added an amendment to this bill, which will allow licensed insurance agents with offices in Ohio to employ licensed employees who reside outside of Ohio.

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