Sponsored Legislation

2003-2004
     125th General Assembly

HB 33: MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE EQUAL TREATMENT ACT

Introduced February 3rd, 2003, this bill a reintroduction of HB 33 from the 124th General Assembly which amends the Ohio Revised Code to prohibit discrimination in health care policies, contracts, and agreements regulated by the state of Ohio in the coverage provided for the diagnosis, care, and treatment of mental illness and substance abuse or addiction. Assigned to the House Insurance Committee, HB 33 has received five hearings as of December 2003.

HB 63: DOUBLE DIPPING REFORMATION

Introduced on February 12th, 2003, this bill is a reintroduction of House Bill 629 from the 124th General Assembly, which would prohibit an elected official from receiving a pension from the Public Employees Retirement System while earning a salary for the same term or a subsequent term of the same public office. This legislation was referred to the House Banking, Pensions and Securities Committee where it has received three hearings as of December 2003.

HB 133: POWER SITING BOARD PENALTIES

Introduced on February 18th, 2003, this bill would enable the Ohio Power Siting Board to seek civil penalties, rather than criminal penalties, against utility companies that violate the terms of their construction certificates. This bill passed the House with unanimous support and is currently pending in the Senate Public Utilities Committee. A committee vote on HB 133 has been scheduled for mid-December 2003.

HB 225: LIMITED MENTAL HEALTH PARITY

Introduced June 17th, 2003, a similar bill to House Bill 33, yet less comprehensive in its scope, this bill would require health care policies to cover the most severe mental illnesses equally to other physical ailments. Assigned to the House Health Committee, HB 225 has received three hearings. A committee vote on HB 225 is scheduled for mid-December 2003.

HB 328: NAMES I-280 BRIDGE “VETERANS’ GLASS CITY SKYWAY”

Introduced November 11, 2003, this bill would codify the name of the bridge spanning the Maumee River on Interstate 280 as the “Veterans’ Glass City Skyway”. The bridge is the largest transportation investment in the history of the Ohio Department of Transportation and is slated for completion in the summer of 2005. Assigned to the House Transportation and Public Safety, the bill has been scheduled to receive one hearing in December 2003.

PART-TIME LAW ENFORCEMENT PARTICIPATION IN PERS-LE

Awaiting the results of an actuarial analysis of the PERS fund, this legislation would enable part-time law-enforcement officers to participate in the Public Employees Retirement System – Law Enforcement division on a pro-rated basis. Introduction of this bill remains pending until completion of actuarial analysis, which is expected early 2004.

2001-2002
     124th General Assembly

HB 33: MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE EQUAL TREATMENT ACT

Introduced January 31st, 2001, this bill a reintroduction of HB 53 from the 123rd General Assembly which amends the Ohio Revised Code to prohibit discrimination in health care policies, contracts, and agreements regulated by the state of Ohio in the coverage provided for the diagnosis, care, and treatment of mental illness and substance abuse or addiction. Incidentally, this was the first piece of legislation to require an actuarial study under the mandated benefits review law, created by HB 221 from the 123rd G.A. Assigned to the House Insurance Committee, HB 33 has received five hearings as of September 2002.

HB 282: UNCLAIMED FUNDS NOTIFICATION REVISIONS

Introduced May 31st, 2001, this measure modifies the frequency and type of notification sent by holders of unclaimed funds to the owners of the funds before reporting the funds to the Director of Commerce. This legislation extends the current regular mail notification from the required 30 days to 90 days. A second notice, if needed, would be required via certified mail 60 days before reporting the funds. If contact still has not been made, and if the funds total more than $1000, a third notification must be made 30 days before reporting them. This third attempt would require a search using, but not limited to, Internet and telephone resources. The bill also includes a compensation provision, of up to $100 from the funds, for this third effort. Currently being heard in the House Committee on State Government, this bill has had three hearings as of September 2002.

HB 311: REAL PROPERTY TAX FORMULA CLARIFICATION

Introduced on June 26th, 2001, this bill calls for real property to be taxed at 100% of true market value instead of 35% of that value. It also requires all tax rates to be expressed as a percentage of the taxable value of property instead of in mills for each dollar of taxable value. This bill does not affect the amount of taxes levied or how the property tax burden is distributed. The House Ways and Means Committee has held two hearings on HB 311 as of September 2002. After discussions with the County Auditors’ Association, this bill will likely be altered and reintroduced in the next General Assembly.

HB 629: DOUBLE DIPPING REFORMATION

Introduced on August 29th, 2002, this bill would prohibit an elected official from receiving a pension from the Public Employees Retirement System while earning a salary for the same term or a subsequent term of the same public office. This legislation has been referred to the House Retirement and Aging Committee.

PORT AUTHORITY POLICE INCLUSION INTO PERS-LE

Yet to be introduced, this measure moves special police officers employed by port authorities from the regular PERS age and service retirement provisions to coverage under the PERS retirement provisions for law enforcement officers. The intent was to amend this provision into HB 215, sponsored by Rep. John Willamowski. Concerns were raised by port authorities as to the added employer costs, and this has been put on hold until the officers can come to a collective bargaining agreement with the port authorities.

KOREAN WAR VETERANS’ DIPLOMAS

Modeled after House Bill 77 (sponsored by Rep. Nancy Hollister), 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 is currently in its drafting phase and is scheduled for introduction in November of 2002.

MAUMEE RIVER CROSSING BRIDGE NAMING

This legislation, yet to be introduced, would name the new I-280 crossing over the Maumee River. The bridge, believed to be the largest transportation investment in the history of the Ohio Department of Transportation, is slated for completion in the summer of 2005. Introduction of this legislation has been delayed indefinitely until an agreement on the name can be reached between the Northwest Ohio Legislative Delegation and the Maumee River Bridge Naming Committee.

VETERANS' ORGANIZATION TAX EXEMPTION

A redraft of HB 478 from the 123rd General Assembly, this bill calls for tax exemption of certain real and tangible personal property held or occupied by a nonprofit veterans' organization. The bill was not introduced because Rep. Charles Calvert (R-Medina) had already offered a similar version as HB 65.

1999-2000
     123th General Assembly

HCR 5: SUBSTITUTE TEACHER LICENSING

Introduced February 2, 1999, this resolution approved a rule established by the State Board of Education to create a short term substitute teach license. Under the new rule short-term substitute teachers need only a bachelor’s degree to substitute but can only substitute for 5 consecutive days at any one assignment. The measure passed the General Assembly April 20, 1999 and became effective upon passage.

HB 30: HOMESTEAD TAX EXEMPTION REVISIONS

This bill, amended into SB 6 (sponsored by Senator Jeffry Armbruster), changes the Ohio Revised Code to modify the computation of income under the homestead exemption in order to prevent elderly disabled homeowners from becoming disqualified for the exemption because of the change in the classification of their disability benefits to retirement benefits. This measure passed May 5, 1999 and became effective August 12, 1999.

HB 53: MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE PARITY

Introduced January 20, 1999, this bill would amend the Ohio Revised Code to prohibit discrimination in health care policies, contracts, and agreements regulated by the state of Ohio in the coverage provided for the diagnosis, care, and treatment of mental illness and substance abuse or addiction.

HB 187: LIMITED HOME RULE TOWNSHIPS

Targeted at larger, urban townships, the bill will enhance the authority granted to townships that adopt the limited home rule form of government. These townships will have greater regulatory and enforcement powers, especially regarding matters of public health, sanitation, and safety. Among its major provisions, the bill streamlines the process for adopting limited home rule, establishes the Urban Township designation, allows an increase in a townships net indebtedness limit, and gives townships the authority to reimburse employees and officers for out-of-pocket health care premiums under certain circumstances. The bill was passed May 26, 1999 and became effective September 20, 1999.

HB 188: FAIRNESS IN CABLE COMPETITION

The bill seeks to establish fair competition in the providing of cable television by establishing conditions under which government cable operators may be formed and compete with private providers. Governor Taft signed its companion bill, S.B. 67, into law on July 5, 2000.

HB 350: DE-BARKED VICIOUS DOGS

This measure would declare a vicious dog that has been “de-barked” or surgically silenced a deadly weapon and makes a felony 4 the act of “de-barking” a known vicious dog or possessing a known vicious dog. Governor Taft signed the bill on July 7, 2000, which took effect on October 10, 2000.

HB 381: REGULATION OF DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS

This legislation, originally sponsored by Representative Sally Perz, seeks to place stronger, more effective regulations on the sale of dietary supplements. Rep. Olman became House sponsor of this legislation upon Rep. Perz’s departure from the legislature. Governor Taft signed this legislation into law on December 20, 2000 and it became effective March 22, 2001.

HB 392: PORT AUTHORITIES

This bill will comprehensively revise the current laws pertaining to port authorities in order to establish more consistency between the statutes governing port authorities established before and after July 9, 1982. These changes will enhance even further the port authorities ability to assist in the state’s economic development. The companion bill, S.B. 137 (sponsored by Senator Scott Oelslager) was passed by the House on January 12, 2000. The bill took effect on May 17, 2000.

HB 393: ONE CALL UTILITY PROTECTION SYSTEM (O.U.P.S.)

This measure provides for the establishment and operation of a single, statewide, one-call notification system as a means of preventing or minimizing damage to subsurface facilities as a result of excavations. Senator Blessing offered a companion bill, SB 193, which had hearings in the Senate Ways and Means Committee. This legislation, however, failed to make it out of committee due to lack of support.

HB 431: COMMUNITY IMPACT ANALYSIS

This bill would require the Legislative Budget Office (LBO) of the Legislative Service Commission (LSC) to prepare a community impact analysis for each bill or resolution requiring the relocation of state offices or employees. This measure would provide relevant economic, financial, and employment information to legislators and the public on relocation related legislation. This bill passed the House on May 4, 2000 but did not make it out of the Senate State & Local Government & Veterans Affairs Committee.

HB 478: VETERANS' ORGANIZATION TAX EXEMPTION

This bill calls for tax exemption of certain real and tangible personal property held or occupied by a nonprofit veterans' organization.

HB 508: MAXIMUM FEE STRUCTURE FOR COPYING MEDICAL RECORDS

This bill established maximum fees that health care providers and/or medical records companies can charge patients for providing copies of medical records. Governor Taft signed H.B. 508 into law on December 20, 2000 and it became effective on March 22, 2001.

1997-1998
     122th General Assembly

HB 36: LODGING TAX

This legislation was amended into the budget, which became law July 1, 1997. Grants the Lucas County Board of Commissioners permissive authority to authorize an increase of the lodging tax by a maximum of 2%. The proceeds from the tax must be used to maintain the SeaGate Convention Center or promote the Greater Toledo Area.

HB 162: USE OF SURPLUS WATER FUNDS

This bill would have allowed municipally owned waterworks to transfer up to 5% of surplus funds to the general fund for purposes of economic development. This bill was also introduced in the 121st General Assembly as HB 726.

HB 349: SIMPLIFIED BUSINESS PROPERTY TAX FORM (920EZ)

As a result of this bill the County Auditors Association worked with the Ohio Department of Taxation to create a simplified form without legislation. A final version was published and made available for the 1998 tax year filing. This work created a one-page simplified tangible personal property tax form for small businesses.

HB 360: EDUCATION SERVICE FEE

The bill would have allowed a school district to place a per student fee on the ballot. The ballot issue could be tied to a reduction in property taxes. Fees could not exceed $500 per student and financial aid would be provided using the free lunch program guidelines.

HB 392: ANESTHESIOLOGISTS QUALITY CARE BILL

The bill would have strengthened rules surrounding the use of anesthesia in order to insure quality care. A substitute version was adopted on November 12th, 1997 that contained compromises made by all interested parties. An amendment was also drafted to satisfy concerns expressed by rural hospitals and certified registered nurse anesthetists.

HB 544: INSURANCE AGENT LAW REVISIONS

Companion to S.B. 154 (Senator Scott Nein). The Senate companion version was passed, signed into law, and became effective June 30, 1998. The legislation made much-needed updates and revisions to Ohio’s insurance agent licensing and conduct laws. S.B. 154 reduced the continuing education requirement from 30 hours to 15 hours. The bill created a study committee to review Ohio’s system of continuing education.

HB 693: EXPANSION OF THE TRANSPORTATION REVIEW ADVISORY COMMITTEE (TRAC)

This bill was amended into HB 626 (sponsored by Rep. Sam Bateman), which was passed as amended, signed into law and became effective September 16, 1998. This legislation expands TRAC by two members and requires that the Governor make appointments that will maintain a regional balance. TRAC was formed as a fair and equitable way to decide the distribution of new and existing highway construction dollars. When the original appointments were made the members were predominately from the Three C’s (Columbus, Cincinnati & Cleveland). This measure ensures fairness in the process by requiring representation from all parts of the state. The Governor and The Ohio Department of Transportation were supportive of this action.

HCR 41: SHORT TERM SUB TEACHER REQUIREMENTS

The bill enacts rules adopted by the State Board of Education. Currently a person must have a bachelor’s degree and an additional 12 hours of coursework in order to substitute teach in Ohio. The rules would change the requirements for assignments of 5 days or less to only require a bachelor’s degree. The rules and legislation were introduced in answer to the statewide shortage of substitute teachers. The rule approval was eventually passed as H.C.R. 5 during the 123rd General Assembly.

HB 718: MENTAL HEALTH PARITY

Introduced March 11, 1998. Under this bill health insurance plans would be required to cover biologically based illnesses in the same manner that other medical conditions are covered. It was expanded and reintroduced in the 123rd General Assembly as H.B. 53.

H.B. 737: SINGLE ONE-CALL BEFORE YOU DIG NOTIFICATION SYSTEM

This bill was designed to establish a single, statewide, one-call notification system as a means of preventing or minimizing damage to utility lines as a result of excavations. After numerous recent incidents and near disasters in the state caused by improper excavations, the need for such a system became apparent. This measure was reintroduced as H.B. 393 during the 123rd General Assembly.

H.B. 760: THE FAIRNESS IN CABLE COMPETITION ACT

Concerned with a need to protect taxpayers from risky business ventures and ensuring a level playing field, this measure would create ground rules for political subdivisions that currently or are planning to own and operate a cable system in direct competition with the private sector. The legislation was reintroduced during the 123rd General Assembly as H.B. 188.

H.B. 780: HOMESTEAD TAX EXEMPTION CREDIT

This bill, introduced in an effort to protect elderly disabled Ohioans, will modify the computation of income under the homestead exemption in order to prevent elderly homeowners from becoming disqualified for the exemption because of the change in the classification of their benefits from disability to retirement benefits. It was later reintroduced as H.B. 30 during the 123rd General Assembly and subsequently amended into S.B. 6 (Armbruster).

1995-1996
     121th General Assembly

HB 60: DECENTRALIZATION

H.B. 60, which came out of the “Other Ohio” movement, was signed into law on December 4, 1995. Representative Olman was the author of this bill, which amended the Ohio Revised Code to allow for Departments to be located outside of Franklin County. It establishes a 10-member legislative study committee to examine the issue of decentralization. Representative Olman was appointed Co-Chair of the committee for the 122nd General Assembly. The committee’s report was completed and filed with the Governor May 13, 1998.

HB 182: COLLEGE PRESIDENTS FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

Governor Voinovich signed this bill into law on May 15, 1996. It provides for full public disclosure of finances including all sources of income for the chief financial and executive officers of state colleges and universities.

HB 424: JOBS BILL III (ALSO SB 188) - INVESTMENT TAX CREDIT

S.B. 188 (H.B. 424), the second part of the Governor’s Jobs Bill III package, was signed into law July 19, 1995. Set up an investment tax credit for new or increased manufacturing equipment. A total of 249 companies have taken advantage of this credit, creating 5,400 new jobs by 1998. The Toledo Jeep plant is one of the most recent companies to take advantage of the tax credit. Jeep will receive an Investment Tax Credit valued at $96.6 million, which will retain 4,900 jobs.

© Copyright 2008 State Representative Lynn Olman. All rights reserved.