Rep. Bill Dean

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes adding a new section to the Ohio Constitution to ban individuals holding citizenship in any country other than the United States from serving in elected public offices. The amendment requires the Secretary of State to verify a candidate's citizenship status and would apply to all elected positions within the state and its local political subdivisions. If passed by a two-thirds vote in the legislature and approved by voters, the rule would take effect immediately upon adoption.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a commemorative resolution honoring the life and public service of Ronald Mottl, Sr., who recently passed away. It formally expresses the House of Representatives' condolences to his family and acknowledges his significant contributions as a politician, educator, and community leader in Ohio. The measure directs the Clerk of the House to send an official copy of the resolution to Mottl's family as a tribute to his legacy.

Maddy summaryHB 623 mandates that all Ohio high school districts offer at least one computer science course to students. The bill updates graduation requirements by increasing the number of required science units and allowing advanced computer science to count as one unit of mathematics, provided students sign a waiver acknowledging potential impacts on college admissions. Additionally, the legislation requires that elective courses include at least one unit from technology or computer science, while also introducing new financial literacy and world history requirements. These changes apply to students entering ninth grade on or after July 1, 2024, and affect both public and chartered nonpublic high schools.

Maddy summaryHB 617 prohibits individuals from being forced to wear masks or other facial coverings in specific public settings, including businesses, schools, government facilities, and courts. The law defines these settings broadly to cover places like restaurants, stores, hospitals, and transportation hubs, while explicitly excluding private residences. If someone believes they have been wrongly required to wear a mask, they can sue for money damages and legal fees if they prove the violation occurred.

Maddy summaryHB 568 creates the Healthy Soils Task Force to develop a state-wide strategy for improving soil health and supporting sustainable agriculture. The task force will be composed of voting members appointed by the Governor, including representatives from universities, environmental groups, and various types of farmers, along with nonvoting legislative chairs. This group is charged with creating an action plan that outlines goals, timelines, and resources for rebuilding soil organic matter, enhancing water quality, and capturing carbon through voluntary partnerships. Additionally, the task force will examine options for financial incentives, review federal conservation programs, and provide recommendations on soil testing and remediation practices. The initiative aims to increase agricultural productivity and environmental resilience while protecting Ohio's natural resources.

Maddy summaryHB 554 establishes a legal process for public-use airports in Ohio to sell aircraft that have been abandoned on their premises for at least 90 consecutive days without payment of fees. The bill defines an abandoned aircraft as one located at a public airport where the owner has not paid for tie-down, hangar, rent, or storage costs for that specified period. If the owner fails to remove the aircraft and pay accrued charges within 30 days of receiving official notice, the airport director may proceed to sell the aircraft. Additionally, the legislation clarifies lien rights for those who perform labor or provide materials on aircraft, ensuring they can secure payment before the sale process occurs. This measure aims to provide a clear, structured path for airports to recover costs associated with long-term abandoned aircraft.

Maddy summaryHB 552, titled the Voter Verification Act, amends state election laws to require election officials to verify specific information in voter registration records and mandates that voters provide corrected details when needed. The bill primarily affects election administrators and registered voters by establishing new procedures for maintaining accurate voter databases. A significant provision of the legislation involves redefining various election terms, such as "primary," "political party," and "precinct," to clarify how elections are conducted and how parties are classified based on past vote totals. By updating these definitions and verification requirements, the bill aims to standardize election processes without changing the fundamental right to vote.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes increasing the percentage of state tax revenue automatically transferred to the Local Government Fund and the Public Library Fund. Specifically, it adjusts the allocation rates for these funds to ensure local governments and libraries receive a larger share of state tax income each month. The legislation requires the state budget director to create a schedule detailing which specific tax sources will be used for these monthly transfers and allows for future adjustments to that schedule. By modifying the statutory percentages, the bill directly affects how much funding local governments and public libraries receive from the state treasury.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends state insurance regulations to restrict the Superintendent of Insurance from banning specific methods of marketing Medicare supplement policies. It explicitly allows for solicitation through printed materials left at homes, in-person visits at residences or public areas, and electronic communications like texts and social media messages, while still permitting the Superintendent to ban in-person sales at nursing homes and residential care facilities. Additionally, the legislation mandates that these policies cannot deny coverage for preexisting conditions if medical advice was sought within six months of the policy start date and requires the creation of new rules to standardize policy terms, claims handling, and premium increase procedures.

Maddy summaryHB 546 requires all paper ballots used in Ohio elections to include a unique, invisible watermark that election officials can verify using special light sources or technology. This measure aims to help officials confirm that a ballot is genuine and was issued to the specific voter who cast it, particularly when reviewing absentee ballots. The bill also updates existing election laws by defining terms like "watermark" and clarifying rules for counting ballots, including provisions that prevent rejection based on ink marks other than provided pencils. By establishing these verification standards, the legislation seeks to streamline the process for identifying fraudulent or mismatched ballots without altering how voters mark their choices.