Budget & Taxes (Tax Incentives)

SB 2 creates a tax exemption program for developers building on former coal mines or brownfield sites in Ohio, offering five years of property tax relief to encourage investment in these economically distressed areas. It also clarifies that small renewable energy projects (under 50 megawatts, like solar farms, wind farms, and biogas digesters) can be regulated by local zoning boards without changing their tax classification as public utilities. The bill directly affects local governments, developers, and small renewable energy operators by streamlining approvals for these projects while preserving existing tax treatment. These changes aim to support grid reliability and affordability by facilitating new power generation in targeted communities.

To amend sections 107.036, 5739.02, 5747.98, and 5751.98 and to enact sections 122.1712, 5747.053, and 5751.56 of the Revised Code to exempt from the sales and use tax the sale of certain firearms and ammunition and to authorize refundable tax credits for small arms and ammunition manufacturing projects.

To amend sections 319.301, 319.302, 523.06, 1545.21, 3316.041, 3316.06, 3358.11, 3505.06, 5705.03, 5705.218, 5705.2111, 5705.221, 5705.233, 5705.261, and 5705.412 and to repeal section 5705.192 of the Revised Code to eliminate the authority to levy replacement property tax levies.

To amend sections 5739.02 and 5739.03 of the Revised Code to exempt from sales and use tax building materials sold to a contractor under a contract valued at $25 million or more for projects in areas with a port authority.