Senate Unanimously Passes Four Bills That Work on Behalf of Every Ohioan

Four pieces of legislation were taken up by the Ohio Senate this week and each received unanimous support from the chamber. While these bills are inside baseball for those paying attention to state government, they still affect the everyday lives of Ohioans despite not being covered by the legacy media. Whether it’s empowering the decision-making of developmentally disabled adults, cleaning up court procedures, or allowing the sale of state-owned land, these bills have an influence on Main Streets and courthouses across the Buckeye State.

The four bills unanimously supported this week by the Ohio Senate are the following:

• Senate Bill 35 – Sponsored by Senators Jerry Cirino and Michelle Reynolds, this legislation codifies in Ohio law that adults with developmental disabilities are presumed capable of making decisions about their lives and activities of daily living and are competent to handle their own affairs, unless otherwise determined by a court. Ensuring that developmentally disabled Ohioans are given the option of Supported Decision-Making provides them agency in their lives. As Senator Reynolds said on the floor of the Ohio Senate, “needing help to make decisions is not the same as being unable to make decisions.”
• Senate Bill 61 – Sponsored by Senators Nathan Manning and Theresa Gavarone (both of whom are lawyers), the bill follows discussions with Chief Justice Kennedy about cleaning up rules in the Ohio Revised Code overlapping with judicial branch procedures. The bill continues to ensure the separation of powers between the legislative and judicial branches that is foundational to our democracy.

• Senate Bill 103 – Sponsored by Senator Shane Wilkin, the legislation permits alternative rate plans for certain natural gas companies. Essentially, the bill allows Ohio to be more dynamic and responsive to economic changes in the maintenance and growth of Ohio’s natural gas infrastructure without sacrificing protections for consumers.

• Senate Bill 217 – Sponsored by Senator Al Landis, the bill allows for 14 land conveyances of state-owned land used by various state agencies, commissions, and universities on a case-by-case basis. Included among the conveyances is land located in Sentor Landis’ hometown of Dover adjacent to the Dover Armory that will be put up for public auction. Land conveyances are required to be approved by Ohio’s General Assembly as they are owned by the state while being administered by state agencies.

With 31 yeas and zero nays this week, these bills highlight the positive work that the Ohio Senate continues to do each week for every citizen of the Buckeye State.