Schaffer Announces Senate Passage of Numerous Key Measures
September 23, 2020
Tim Schaffer News
COLUMBUS—State Senator Tim Schaffer (R-Lancaster) announced the passage of Senate Bill 311, House Bill 614 and House Bill 66 among other bills passed by the Ohio Senate today. These pieces of legislation address several key issues including Ohio Department of Health (ODH) orders, unemployment reform, concealed-carry license renewal, CARES Act funding, and anti-corruption measures.
“I am proud of the work of the Ohio Senate today,” Schaffer said. “The passage of these pieces of legislation sends the message that we are listening to our constituents and addressing their concerns. It was imperative that these bills be passed today and we got the job done on some issues and have more work to do on others.”
Senate Bill 311, which would establish common-sense limitations on ODH’s ability to issue mandatory quarantine or isolation orders during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill would still allow ODH to issue quarantine and isolation orders to protect Ohioans during times of a pandemic, but the orders would only apply to those who are sick or who have been directly exposed to the disease. It also provides additional legislative oversight over ODH quarantine and isolation orders by giving the General Assembly the ability to rescind the orders through the adoption of a concurrent resolution.
Senate Bill 614 creates the Unemployment Compensation Modernization Council, which will be tasked with reviewing Ohio’s unemployment compensation system and recommending solutions to solve issues and concerns plaguing the current system. The bill will also address concerns over renewal of concealed handgun licenses that are set to expire by extending the expiration deadline from December 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021. Also, the provisions regarding the release of $650 million in CARES Act funding from Senate Bill 357, providing pandemic relief funding to local governments, were included in this bill.
Senate Bill 66 will create provisions in the current 133rd General Assembly that any member of the Joint Legislative Ethics Committee (JLEC) who has been charged or indicted for criminal offenses will vacate their seat on JLEC. The bill also allows the authority that appointed a member to the Capitol Square Review Advisory Board to be removed from the board for any reason at any time. Additionally, in the bill is a provision that will allow victims of theft to seek restitution for accounting and auditing costs related to the theft.
To watch today’s coverage of the Ohio Senate, click here.
“I am proud of the work of the Ohio Senate today,” Schaffer said. “The passage of these pieces of legislation sends the message that we are listening to our constituents and addressing their concerns. It was imperative that these bills be passed today and we got the job done on some issues and have more work to do on others.”
Senate Bill 311, which would establish common-sense limitations on ODH’s ability to issue mandatory quarantine or isolation orders during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill would still allow ODH to issue quarantine and isolation orders to protect Ohioans during times of a pandemic, but the orders would only apply to those who are sick or who have been directly exposed to the disease. It also provides additional legislative oversight over ODH quarantine and isolation orders by giving the General Assembly the ability to rescind the orders through the adoption of a concurrent resolution.
Senate Bill 614 creates the Unemployment Compensation Modernization Council, which will be tasked with reviewing Ohio’s unemployment compensation system and recommending solutions to solve issues and concerns plaguing the current system. The bill will also address concerns over renewal of concealed handgun licenses that are set to expire by extending the expiration deadline from December 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021. Also, the provisions regarding the release of $650 million in CARES Act funding from Senate Bill 357, providing pandemic relief funding to local governments, were included in this bill.
Senate Bill 66 will create provisions in the current 133rd General Assembly that any member of the Joint Legislative Ethics Committee (JLEC) who has been charged or indicted for criminal offenses will vacate their seat on JLEC. The bill also allows the authority that appointed a member to the Capitol Square Review Advisory Board to be removed from the board for any reason at any time. Additionally, in the bill is a provision that will allow victims of theft to seek restitution for accounting and auditing costs related to the theft.
To watch today’s coverage of the Ohio Senate, click here.