Sen. Mark Romanchuk

Maddy summaryThis bill is a Senate resolution honoring the memory of Senator J. Kirk Schuring, who passed away after serving thirty-one years in the Ohio legislature. The text formally expresses the Senate's condolences to his family and acknowledges his long career as a dedicated public servant and effective negotiator. It highlights his legislative achievements in areas such as healthcare, economic development, and school safety, while noting his various committee roles and community involvement. The resolution concludes by directing the Senate Clerk to send a certified copy of the document to Schuring's family as a tribute to his life and legacy.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes the mandate requiring the Department of Transportation to build specific interstate interchanges in Northeast Ohio. Instead, it directs the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency to conduct a traffic congestion study covering a defined area around Interstate Route 81. The study must be finished by December and its findings reported to state leaders and local officials in Strongsville, North Royalton, and Brunswick. The report may also suggest solutions to manage any traffic issues identified during the review.

Maddy summaryHB 70 requires all public and private schools to create policies governing the administration of both prescription and over-the-counter drugs to students. For prescription medications, the bill mandates that schools establish clear rules on which staff members are authorized to administer drugs and sets strict requirements for parental consent, detailed medical instructions from prescribers, and secure storage in locked areas. The legislation also provides legal protection for school employees who follow these approved policies, shielding them from civil liability unless they act with gross negligence. Additionally, the bill gives schools the flexibility to decide whether their staff can administer over-the-counter medications and whether they require parental permission to do so.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates September 28 as "Speaker Jo Ann Davidson Day" to honor Jo Ann Davidson, the first woman to serve as Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives. The legislation establishes this specific date as an official recognition in the state calendar to acknowledge her historic achievement. It does not alter any laws or policies but serves as a commemorative measure to highlight her legacy.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates a specific stretch of Interstate 77 in Akron as the "American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. Memorial Highway" to honor mothers who lost children in military service. The law officially names the northbound and southbound lanes between Interstate 76 and Lovers Lane and authorizes the state transportation director to place markers along the road to display this new title. By changing the official name of this roadway, the legislation provides a permanent tribute to the organization without altering traffic rules or road infrastructure.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates a specific stretch of Interstate 90 in Cuyahoga County as the "Lance Corporal Jimmy Rizzo Memorial Highway" to honor a fallen service member. The law officially names the northeastbound and southwestbound lanes between East 55th and East 72nd Streets and authorizes transportation officials to install signs displaying this new title. This measure is a commemorative action that affects drivers and the public by formally recognizing the highway with a memorial name rather than changing any traffic rules or funding.

Maddy summarySB 215 prohibits foreign nationals from making financial contributions or expenditures to support or oppose ballot issues in elections. The bill directly affects campaign committees, political parties, and other groups that raise funds for election-related activities by banning them from accepting money from non-citizens for these specific purposes. Key provisions define what counts as a contribution and expenditure while clarifying that voluntary services and personal expenses do not fall under this restriction. This measure aims to restrict foreign influence in ballot issue campaigns without addressing contributions to candidate races or other political entities.

Maddy summarySB 316 creates a program to return state sales taxes collected on beer and wine to eligible music venues and festival promoters. To qualify, these businesses must meet specific criteria such as operating in smaller communities, providing live performances regularly, and compensating artists through ticket sales or guaranteed fees. Approved applicants can receive a rebate equal to the lesser of the taxes they paid on alcohol sales or $100,000, with a total annual cap of $10 million. The law requires recipients to use these funds exclusively for recruiting performing artists and bringing live music to the state, with the director of development responsible for reviewing applications and enforcing compliance.

Maddy summarySB 304 creates a new Nonchartered Educational Savings Account Program that allows parents of students enrolled in private schools not yet chartered by the state to open state-funded savings accounts. These accounts are intended to cover tuition and educational expenses like textbooks and curriculum materials, with funds managed by the Treasurer of State. To qualify, parents must apply annually by March and agree to keep their students in nonchartered private schools while participating in the program. The bill also establishes a complaint system for addressing violations and requires due process procedures, including hearings, before any penalties are imposed on noncompliant families or schools.

Maddy summarySB 226, titled the Ohio Property Protection Act, expands existing laws that restrict certain governments, businesses, and individuals from acquiring specific types of property in Ohio. The bill requires anyone transferring real estate or manufactured homes to submit a detailed statement declaring the property's value and affirming whether the transferor or transferee is legally prohibited from buying such land. If the property was previously used for agricultural purposes, the statement must also address potential tax recoupment charges that may apply when that status changes. Furthermore, the act mandates that county auditors refuse to process the transfer of protected property unless the required declarations are included, and it directs auditors to refer suspicious transactions to law enforcement for investigation.