Strengthening Voter Protections, Passing Billions for Community Projects, and Enjoying the Workday with Ohio's Youngest Citizens

Summer break may have arrived for Ohio’s students, but the Ohio Senate is hard at work.

From placing a constitutional amendment before the voters increasing election security, modernizing Ohio commerce law, or investing $3.7 billion across the state for agency and community projects, the Upper Chamber completed a busy week of committee hearings with a full voting session.

Additionally, it was Bring your Kid to Work Day at the Ohio Senate. Several activities were planned for the children and grandchildren of the Senators and staff as they received a behind the scenes look of the Ohio Senate. Lieutenant Governor Jim Tressel even took time to pay them a visit.

The Senate passed the following legislation Wednesday:

• Senate Bill 450: Ohio’s Capital Appropriations Budget, spearheaded by Senate Finance Chairman Jerry Cirino, invests $3.7 billion to build and improve state infrastructure across Ohio, including $600 million for school facility construction, renovation, and repair.
• Senate Joint Resolution 10: Sponsored by Senators Jane Timken (R-North Canton) and Theresea Gavarone (R-Bowling Green), proposes a constitutional amendment to appear on the ballot in November requiring citizens to present a photo ID in order to vote.

• Senate Bill 331: Sponsored by Senators Steve Wilson (R-Maineville) and Willis Blackshear Jr. (D-Dayton), permits certain state employees in the hospitality industry, such as at a state lodge, to accept a gratuity for service.
• Senate Bill 120: Sponsored by Senator Paula Hicks-Hudson (D-Toledo), creates a pilot program overseen by the Department of Education and Workforce Director supporting relevant programming on farming and agriculture with young people between the ages of six to eighteen living in urban areas.
• Senate Bill 135: Sponsored by Senator Andrew Brenner (R-Delaware), simplifies the sales process of foreclosed property while protecting owners’ rights during the sale.
• House Bill 359: The bill expands the statewide emergency alert system to include cases of missing children with autism spectrum disorder or another developmental disability. This will be called a Joshua Alert, named in honor of Joshua Al-Lateef Jr. who drowned in a pond near his home on November 20, 2024 at the age of six.
• House Bill 20: The bill increases the penalty and offense for anyone obstructing an emergency service provider.
• House Bill 195: The legislation revises Ohio's Uniform Commercial Code to address digital technology developments, specifically cryptocurrencies and NFTs while remaining adaptable for future innovations.

• House Bill 268: The bill permits individuals with criminal convictions to apply for a Certificate of Qualification for Employment (CQE) one year after release from incarceration. Qualified individuals will have the opportunity to move from dependency to employment sooner.
• House Concurrent Resolution 7: To support the work of the American Legion Buckeye Boys State and the American Legion Auxiliary Buckeye Girls State in providing a premier educational and leadership program to the youth of Ohio.