To amend sections 4901.02 and 4901.021 and to enact section 4901.022 of the Revised Code to make various changes to the Public Utilities Commission nominating council and nomination process.
Maddy summarySB 74 creates a "fair paycheck workplace certificate" for employers with two or more employees, requiring them to demonstrate gender pay equity by showing that the average compensation for male and female employees differs by less than 5% in the previous calendar year. To obtain the certificate, employers must submit detailed payroll data (including gross compensation for each gender) and pay a fee to the director of commerce, who will issue the certificate if the pay gap meets the standard. The certificate is valid for six months initially and can be renewed annually for one year, with the director maintaining a public database listing all certified employers and their certificate status. Employers denied certification may appeal the decision, and the program does not mandate pay adjustments - only verification of existing pay practices.
To confirm the appointment of James Tressel as Lieutenant Governor of Ohio in accordance with Section 17a of Article III of the Constitution of the State of Ohio.
Maddy summarySB 75 increases the penalty for failing to report a lost or stolen firearm or dangerous ordnance to law enforcement. It directly affects firearm owners who lose or have their weapons stolen, requiring them to report immediately or face stricter consequences. The bill amends Ohio law to elevate the penalty for this specific violation from a misdemeanor to a more severe classification (described as "misdemeanor of the fourth first degree" in the text, though the exact classification appears to be a typo). This is a concrete policy change to strengthen accountability for firearm reporting, not a procedural or commemorative measure.
Maddy summarySB 80 allows counties to establish their own motor fuel quality testing programs to check gasoline and diesel at retail locations for octane levels, sediment, and water content. County auditors (or designated staff) can test fuel at pumps and storage tanks, requiring retail dealers to permit testing without charging fees. Violations - like excessive water in ethanol fuel or incorrect octane levels - trigger orders to stop sales until compliance is confirmed, with potential civil penalties deposited into the county general fund. The bill mandates testing equipment meet ASTM industry standards and requires counties to share all test data publicly via the agriculture department’s website.
To amend sections 3314.03, 3326.11, 3328.24, and 4112.01 and to enact section 3313.6612 of the Revised Code to enact the Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair (CROWN) Act to prohibit discrimination against an individual based on hair texture and protective hair styles.
Maddy summarySB 84 would officially designate September 19th as "Stillbirth Prevention Day" in Ohio, creating an annual observance to raise public awareness about stillbirth prevention. The bill does not create new policies, funding, or requirements - it simply establishes a symbolic day for education and community efforts. This designation would apply statewide, encouraging organizations and the public to focus on stillbirth prevention awareness on that date each year. The bill is currently in committee referral after its introduction on February 4, 2025.
To amend sections 4112.01 and 4112.05 of the Revised Code to enact the Ohio Fairness Act to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity or expression, to add mediation as an informal method that the Ohio Civil Rights Commission may use, and to uphold existing religious exemptions under Ohio's Civil Rights Law.
Maddy summaryThis Ohio Senate resolution (SR 29) urges Congress to resume restoring SNAP benefits stolen through card skimming and to fund anti-fraud measures. It specifically requests Congress extend federal funding to replace benefits stolen via fraudulent devices on EBT cards (which lack security chips) and upgrade EBT cards to include security chips. The resolution cites Ohio’s successful replacement of over $12.6 million in stolen benefits using prior federal funding. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new law but formally requests federal action to address ongoing fraud.
Maddy summarySB 97 increases penalties for drivers who fail to yield to funeral processions in Ohio. It requires funeral processions to have vehicles with headlights on and visible purple/white or orange/white pennants, and mandates that all drivers must yield to these processions. The bill doubles the standard fine for violations, with penalties escalating to a misdemeanor for repeat offenses within one year. This change specifically affects drivers who do not yield, not the processions themselves, and only modifies existing traffic fines without altering procession rules.
