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HB 397 Ohio House · 136th Legislature (2025-2026)

Expand allowable uses of profits from jail commissary funds

HB 397 amends Ohio's Revised Code (Section 341.25) to allow county jails to use profits from inmate commissary sales for additional purposes beyond current restrictions. This directly affects county jails managing these funds, as it expands their flexibility in allocating commissary profits. The key change is removing specific limitations on fund usage, permitting counties to direct these profits toward other operational needs as permitted by law, without creating new spending requirements. The bill focuses solely on reallocating existing revenue streams, not increasing funding.
Issues: ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesThe bill promotes fiscal responsibility by expanding flexibility for county jails to allocate existing commissary profits to various operational needs, optimizing resource use.75% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeHB 397 strengthens county jails' operational capabilities by expanding flexibility in using commissary funds, directly impacting the corrections aspect of criminal justice.85% confidence
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jul 2025
Committee Review
Feb 2026
House Passage
Nov 2025
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Jul 21, 2025 Last action Jun 4, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

As Introduced → As Passed by the House · 5 edits · Nov 19, 2025
MODERATE
The bill was amended to significantly expand how jail commissary profits can be used. The changes allow funds to cover staff misconduct investigations, purchase safety technology, and pay for advanced staff training, while also clarifying that profits can be used for recreation and treatment services.
Scope change
The scope of allowable uses for jail commissary funds was broadened to include new categories such as staff misconduct investigations and advanced training.
FISCAL

Added the ability to use profits to investigate allegations of staff misconduct, illegal contraband conveyance, or sexual abuse within the facility.

Expanded the list of allowable uses to include purchasing technology for general jail safety and paying for advanced staff training beyond state mandates.

Clarified that profits can be used for recreation and programming services in addition to life skills training and education.

Added a specific provision allowing profits to purchase medication related to treatment and programming services.

Removed the previous requirement that emergency expenses must meet specific criteria regarding urgency, exhausted funding, and budget coverage.

Floor votes · House Nov 20, 2025

How they voted

75–11
Passed
Total votes 86
Nov 20, 2025
D Democratic26
15 Yea 11 Nay
57% Yea
R Republican60
60 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
8
Key actions
2
Committee
2
Amendments
2
Jun 4, 2026
Introduced
Reported - Amended
upper
Feb 11, 2026
Committee
Referred to committee
upper
Nov 25, 2025
Introduced
Introduced
upper
Nov 20, 2025
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (75-11)
house
Nov 19, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed
lower
Nov 18, 2025
Introduced
Reported - Amended
lower
Sep 15, 2025
Committee
Referred to committee
lower
Jul 21, 2025
Introduced
Introduced
lower
2 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Kellie Deeter
Kellie Deeter
RRepublican
OH
54
P
Photo of Mark Johnson
Mark Johnson
RRepublican
OH
92