Budget & Taxes

in committee · Ohio · House May 20, 2026

HB 924: Create the court-appointed public defender loan repayment program

HB 924 establishes a new loan repayment program for attorneys working as court-appointed public defenders in Ohio. Under this initiative, the state public defender office will repay up to $50,000 of eligible educational loans for lawyers who commit to working at least 1,000 hours per year for a total of ten consecutive years or fifteen nonconsecutive years within a twenty-year span. To qualify, applicants must have made timely monthly payments on their loans, not be enrolled in other federal or state debt forgiveness programs, and hold a license in good standing. The program is administered through rules set by the state public defender, which will include procedures for applications, verification of information, and public inquiries. Funding for these repayments will come from a dedicated state treasury account established to receive donations, gifts, and bequests specifically for this purpose.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes a loan repayment program for public defenders, directly increasing funding for essential legal services and public officials.85% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens the public defender system by funding loan repayment, ensuring adequate legal representation for indigent defendants.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Debt & Bonds Courts

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in committee · Ohio · House May 20, 2026

HB 936: Authorize sales and use tax exemption for medical items, services

To amend section 5739.02 of the Revised Code to authorize a sales and use tax exemption for medical items and services eligible to be purchased with proceeds from flexible spending and health savings accounts.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides tax relief by exempting medical items/services from sales tax, reducing financial burden on individuals and promoting fiscal responsibility.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill provides tax exemptions for medical items and services, increasing affordability and access to healthcare.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Tax Incentives

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in committee · Ohio · House May 20, 2026

HB 884: Regards cost calculation of and GA intent for school financing

To amend sections 3317.011, 3317.012, 3317.018, 3317.0110, and 3317.022 and to enact section 3317.41 of the Revised Code and to amend Sections 265.10, as subsequently amended, 265.150, 265.190, and 265.450 of H.B. 96 of the 136th General Assembly regarding base cost calculation and use in the public school financing system, to express the General Assembly's intent to secure a thorough and efficient system of common schools, and to make an appropriation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill amends school financing laws to express intent for a thorough and efficient system and mandates an appropriation, directly strengthening public education funding.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill amends school financing laws to secure a thorough and efficient system of common schools and makes an appropriation.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget School Funding

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in committee · Ohio · House May 20, 2026

HB 903: Make the earned income tax credit partially refundable

HB 903 proposes to make Ohio's earned income tax credit partially refundable, meaning eligible low-income individuals could receive cash payments even if they owe no state taxes. The bill creates a new refundable credit equal to 10% of the federal earned income credit amount, while also increasing the existing nonrefundable portion to 30% of that same federal figure. This change would directly affect taxpayers who currently cannot benefit from the credit because their tax liability is zero or low. The legislation also updates the order in which various tax credits are applied to ensure the new refundable credit is processed correctly within the state tax system.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill expands tax relief for low-income individuals by making the earned income tax credit partially refundable, directly supporting the taxation topic.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits

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in committee · Ohio · House May 13, 2026

HB 816: Exempt service animals from sales and use tax

HB 816 proposes to exempt service dogs and miniature horses from sales and use taxes in Ohio. This change would directly benefit individuals who purchase these animals to assist with disabilities, allowing them to avoid paying the standard tax on such purchases. The bill achieves this by amending state tax code to specifically list these animals as excluded items from the tax definition. Currently, the purchase of service animals is not explicitly exempted, meaning owners must pay the tax unless they qualify for other general exemptions. If passed, the legislation would remove this financial barrier for qualifying service animal owners without altering how taxes are collected on other goods.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides tax relief to individuals with disabilities by exempting service animals from sales and use taxes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax

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in committee · Ohio · House May 13, 2026

HB 839: Expand youth access to soccer

HB 839 allocates state funds to the Ohio Soccer Association to help more young people across the state play soccer. The money is specifically designated to support local development projects, with a focus on expanding opportunities during the year the FIFA World Cup is held in North America. This bill adds new funding for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 on top of existing budgets, requiring the state budget director to track how the money is spent.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state funds to expand youth soccer opportunities, directly increasing funding for a public service program.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget

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in committee · Ohio · House May 13, 2026

HB 844: Authorize tax credit for qualifying technology investments

To amend sections 107.036 and 5747.98 and to enact sections 122.863 and 5747.88 of the Revised Code to authorize an income tax credit for businesses that make qualifying technology investments.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill authorizes a tax credit for technology investments, providing tax relief to businesses and promoting economic development.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill provides tax credits to incentivize technology investments, directly advancing the technology sector.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Tax Credits Tax Incentives Tags Economic Development

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in committee · Ohio · House May 13, 2026

HB 854: Provide tuition-free public higher education; levy taxes

To amend sections 319.202, 319.54, 5747.02, 5747.03, and 5747.07 and to enact section 3345.012 of the Revised Code to provide a state-subsidized, tuition-free public higher education to Ohio students and to increase and levy taxes to fund that subsidy.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly funds tuition-free higher education by increasing and levying taxes, directly advancing the budget and taxation topic.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill provides tuition-free public higher education and increases funding via taxes, directly expanding educational access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · Ohio · House May 20, 2026

HB 916: Establish the Children's Dental Services Program

HB 916 creates the Children's Dental Services Program to provide dental screenings, treatment, and preventive care to children living in underserved areas. The Department of Health will administer this program, which may utilize mobile dental units to reach schools and communities that need them most. The bill directs the department to focus on increasing access to care and reducing tooth decay among children while requesting specific funding to support these efforts.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly requests specific funding to establish and operate a new children's dental services program.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes a new program to provide dental screenings and treatment to underserved children, directly improving access to care.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Children's Health Primary Care Tags Children

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in committee · Ohio · House May 13, 2026

HB 855: Enact the Ohio Safe Homes Act

To amend sections 3767.01, 3767.05, 4301.74, 5321.02, and 5747.98 and to enact sections 5321.172 and 5747.35 of the Revised Code to allow a tenant to terminate a rental agreement if the tenant is a victim of a specified crime, to authorize an income tax credit for landlords who rented to such tenants, and to name this act the Ohio Safe Homes Act.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides an income tax credit for landlords, which constitutes a fiscal incentive and tax relief mechanism.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill protects tenant rights by allowing lease termination for crime victims and provides tax credits to landlords, directly supporting housing stability and safety.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Landlords Property Taxes Tenant Rights

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