The office of Governor John Kasich recently announced that he has signed nine bills into law. These measures cover a wide range of matters, including community schools, public records requests, the flying of flags at state buildings, and others.
The Governor also allowed another bill to become law without his signature, and vetoed another piece of passed legislation.
Bills which were signed included the following:
Sub. H.B. 347 (Kelly, Dever) designates multiple memorial highways.
Sub. S.B. 220 (Hackett, Bacon) provides a legal safe harbor to covered entities that implement a specified cybersecurity program, allows transactions recorded by blockchain technology under the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act, and alters the definition of “key employee” under the Casino Gaming Law.
Sub. H.B. 34 (Hambley, Ryan) authorizes certain state agencies, local governments, and other boards, commissions, and officers to deliver certain notices by ordinary mail and electronically instead of by certified mail, modifies the requirements for public records training for elected officials, and allows a county prosecuting attorney to enter into a contract with a regional airport authority, port authority, or regional planning commission to be its legal adviser.
Sub. H.B. 312 (Schuring, Greenspan) regulates the use of credit cards and debit cards by political subdivisions, modifies the duties and powers of the Auditor of State, specifies that electronic submission of a public record request entitles the requestor to damages if the public office fails to comply with the Public Records Act, makes changes to the law governing financial planning and supervision commissions, and authorizes a property tax abatement for certain property subject to a submerged land lease and held by a municipal corporation.
Sub. H.B. 336 (Barnes, Greenspan) requires the registrar of motor vehicles to establish a six month driver’s license reinstatement fee debt reduction and amnesty program and names this act the Reinstatement Fee Amnesty Initiative.
Sub. H.B. 87 (Roegner) contingently amends Section 11 of Sub. S.B. 216 of the 132nd General Assembly upon its enactment and becoming effective regarding public moneys returned to the state as a result of a finding for recovery issued pursuant to an audit of the enrollment records of a community school, clarifies the time period within which a school district emergency levy or substitute levy may be renewed or replaced, clarifies the responsibilities of a school district treasurer regarding the signing or executing of certain documents, requires the State Board of Education to adopt standards for learning management software for internet- and computer-based community schools, regarding qualification for state payments by internet- or computer-based community schools, regarding joint health and medical insurance programs by political subdivisions and county boards of developmental disabilities, regarding submission of five-year financial forecasts by public schools, and regarding the moratorium on certain provisions affecting community schools and school districts whose enrollments were affected due to enrolling students of a suspended e-school.
Sub. H.B. 318 (Patterson, LaTourette) requires the Facilities Construction Commission to study and report on school building security upgrades and school resource officers, enacts the “SAFE Act” with regard to suspension and expulsion of students in grades pre-kindergarten through three and positive behavior intervention and supports, and makes an appropriation.
Am. Sub. S.B. 216 (Huffman) enacts the “Ohio Public School Deregulation Act” regarding the administration of preschool and primary and secondary education programs, adds the territory of Summit County to the Stark State College District, and prescribes procedures for appointing the board of trustees of the combined technical college district.
Am. Sub. H.B. 254 (Wiggam) enacts the POW/MIA Remembrance Act requiring the POW/MIA flag to be displayed at certain buildings operated by the state on Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, National POW/MIA Recognition Day, and Veterans’ Day.
