HB 92 Ohio House · 136th Legislature (2025-2026)

Regards unpaid water, sewer, and trash charges at rented property

Summary

To amend sections 321.261, 701.10, 729.49, 735.29, 743.04, and 743.06 and to enact sections 319.65, 701.101, 701.102, 701.103, 701.20, 701.21, 701.22, 701.23, 701.24, 701.25, 701.26, 701.30, 701.31, 701.32, 701.33, 701.35, 701.36, 701.37, 701.38, 701.39, 701.40, 729.491, 729.492, 729.493, 735.291, 735.292, 743.041, 743.042, 1901.187, and 1907.033 of the Revised Code regarding limitations on recovery and lien imposition by municipalities against property owners of non-owner-occupied properties for unpaid water, sewer, and disposal services rates and charges.

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2026

House Passage

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Feb 11, 2025 Last action Mar 25, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

As Introduced → As Passed by the House · 6 edits · Mar 18, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was significantly narrowed in scope, removing protections for water, sewer, and disposal services and instead focusing only on unpaid municipal utility services. It added new provisions protecting landlords and tenants from utility disconnection due to a former tenant's nonpayment, while also establishing clearer rules for when utility liens can be placed on property.

Scope change

The bill's scope was narrowed from covering water, sewer, and disposal services to only municipal utility services, and it removed many of the original sections related to tax collection funds and lien procedures.

SCOPE

Removed coverage of water, sewer, and disposal services, limiting the bill's focus to general municipal utility services.

ELIGIBILITY

Added protections preventing utility disconnection for landlords and current tenants if a former tenant failed to pay utility bills.

REQUIREMENT

Added requirements for utility boards to read meters at least quarterly and establish procedures for resolving billing disputes.

ENFORCEMENT

Modified lien placement rules to prevent liens when properties are not occupied by the property owner or when unpaid charges arise from a tenant service contract.

FISCAL

Removed provisions related to county treasury funds for delinquent tax and assessment collection.

DEFINITION

Added new definitions for 'landlord,' 'residential premises,' 'tenant,' and 'municipal utility service' to clarify the bill's application.

Floor votes · House Mar 18, 2026

How they voted

67–29

Passed

Total votes 96

Mar 18, 2026

D Democratic31

5 Yea 26 Nay

83% Nay

R Republican65

62 Yea 3 Nay

95% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 25, 2026

Committee

Referred to committee

upper

Mar 19, 2026

Introduced

upper

Mar 18, 2026

Lower · Passed

Passed

lower

Feb 12, 2025

Committee

Referred to committee

lower

Feb 11, 2025

Introduced

lower

2 primary · 3 co-sponsors