This report reflects the latest happenings in government relations, in and around the Ohio statehouse. You’ll notice that it’s broad in nature and on an array of topics, from A-Z. This will be updated on a weekly basis.
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ADDICTION/SUBSTANCE ABUSE
The DeWine administration announced Monday that the computer system for monitoring prescription drugs in Ohio will begin reporting non-fatal overdoses to health care providers in an effort to get help to people with substance use disorder before they suffer another, potentially deadly overdose. The Ohio Department of Health adopted revised rules earlier this year that require emergency departments to report nonfatal overdoses to the health department. Using that data, the Ohio Automated Rx Reporting System (OARRS) will now alert prescribers and pharmacists about patients who've experienced non-fatal overdoses and were discharged from an Ohio emergency department from April 8 of this year onward. The OARRS alerts will only be available to prescribers and pharmacists, the administration said.
OneOhio Recovery Foundation finished 2024 with more than $32.8 million awarded out of $51 million in available proceeds from opioid settlement funds. In addition, the board has also earmarked $12.5 million for to-be-announced recovery providers currently negotiating final grant agreements with the agency. A total of 17 projects received a total of $1.9 million this week for prevention, treatment and recovery in 10 of its 19 regions, led by $400,000 to the Zepf Center in Lucas County and $300,000 to Boys and Girls Clubs in several locations.
AGRICULTURE
The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODAg) on Friday released the official dates for the 2025 fair season. The fair schedule includes dates for Ohio's 94 county and independent fairs, as well as the Ohio State Fair. The Paulding County Fair will kick off the 2025 fair season on June 7, and the season will wrap up on Oct. 11 with the Fairfield County Fair.
AMERICA 250-OHIO
America 250-Ohio announced that 102 counties, cities, towns and villages in the state have been granted the official "America 250-Ohio" designation. The official state commission responsible for spearheading Ohio's celebrations and commemorations around America's semiquincentennial in 2026, America 250-Ohio said it is aiming to give the designation to at least 250 committees by July 2026. With the designation, communities will receive access to resources like digital toolkits, an online community platform, regular check-ins with other designated communities, recognition of participation in America 250-Ohio celebrations and commemorations, and the opportunity to develop and grow professionally and personally. Plus, each community will receive an Ohio-made, America 250-Ohio Community flag.
ATTORNEY GENERAL
Saying that he is "building on the success of the 'Shine a Light on Dumpers' initiative," Ohio Attorney General (AG) Dave Yost recently expanded the campaign to include funding for community cleanup efforts. Yost's office is allocating $1 million in new grants aimed at helping local governments clean up illegal dump sites and deter future dumping.
AUDITOR OF STATE
Richland County Prosecutor Jodie Schumaker was recognized by Ohio Auditor of State Keith Faber's office for several investigations into individuals in Ohio who stole from public coffers. Schumaker was given the office's Public Integrity Award during the Ohio Prosecuting Attorneys Association's Annual Meeting in Columbus.
FY26-27 BUDGET
After a drop following the unfreezing of Medicaid rolls post-pandemic, the program caseload is expected to see a "slight increase" in the upcoming biennium, the Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) projects in its FY26-27 budget request. "ODM has projected a slight increase in Medicaid enrollment in FY26/27. This is consistent with national Medicaid forecasts. ODM will adjust the caseload forecast based on additional analysis and insights throughout the budget process. ODM continues the use of dashboards and other tools to closely monitor Medicaid application and renewal activities completed by CDJFSs [county departments of job and family services] ensuring that eligible Ohioans are able to receive the care they need," the agency request states. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress granted states extra Medicaid matching funds in exchange for a general ban on disenrolling people from Medicaid in most cases. This led Ohio's Medicaid caseload to grow from about 2.8 million at the end of 2019 to a peak of about 3.6 million in April. Medicaid ended FY24 with 3.07 million people on the program, and the most recent caseload report, for November, showed 3.05 million on the program.
Following investments in Ohio's state park facilities and the department's focus on statewide land use initiatives, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) budget has grown significantly over the past few years. But the department's budget request submitted to the Office of Budget and Management (OBM) for the next biennium expects a more static bottom line than in recent years. ODNR's requested budget for FY26 represents a decrease of almost $17 million from the current FY25 estimated budget of $707,153,966. In recent years, the department's budget has climbed from $445,545,300 in FY22 to $492,216,918 in FY23, then to $549,446,273 in FY24.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
The DeWine administration announced Monday that Amazon Web Services (AWS) plans to invest around $10 billion in additional funds for its data center infrastructure across Ohio, with hundreds of new jobs expected by the end of 2030. AWS previously announced plans to invest $7.8 billion in June 2023 and the company has committed to more than $23 billion in announcements since 2015. The DeWine administration said that represents the second-largest planned investment by one private sector company in Ohio history. While locations have not been finalized, AWS is planning to expand its data centers outside of the Central Ohio region. Those plans are contingent on the execution of long-term energy service agreements.
Gov. Mike DeWine's administration announced Monday the approval of assistance for 14 projects expected to create 1,202 new jobs and retain 2,978 jobs statewide. During its monthly meeting, the Ohio Tax Credit Authority (TCA) reviewed economic development proposals brought by JobsOhio and its regional partners. The projects are expected to collectively result in more than $82 million in new payroll and spur more than $283 million in investments across Ohio.
EDUCATION
About six in 10 Ohio schools are already complying with a state requirement that they adopt policies restricting student cell phone use during school hours, several months ahead of a deadline for them to do so. The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (DEW) recently released a report on survey findings regarding schools' cell phone policies, following passage of HB250 (Miranda-Richardson), which requires schools to adopt such policies by the end of FY25. DEW surveyed about 1,000 entities, getting a 98 percent response rate from districts, charter schools, STEM schools and joint vocational districts. Ohio has eight school district typologies based on community type and poverty level. Small town and suburban districts had adopted the policy at higher rates, according to the survey.
Outgoing Rep. Sara Carruthers (R-Hamilton), outgoing Summit County Council member Gloria Rodgers and lobbyist Lori Kershner are Gov. Mike DeWine's newest appointees to the State Board of Education (SBOE). The governor also reappointed Amy Malone Fugate, a former teacher whom he'd recently appointed to a vacancy. DeWine needed to replace at least one of his at-large appointees because Martha Manchester, the board vice president, was term-limited. He ended up replacing two others, Melissa Bedell and Sue Hackett.
ELECTIONS
The Ohio Elections Commission Thursday fined the gubernatorial campaign of former Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor and the legislative campaign of former lawmaker John Boccieri over the late filing of finance reports, while delaying action on other referrals from the secretary of state's office. The commission followed the recommendation of Executive Director Phil Richter, who said the filings were at least two weeks late for the campaign and who had recommended a $50 fine. The commission continued a complaint against Rep. Sederick Denson's (D-Cincinnati) campaign over a late filing after Denson had requested more time to work out issues with the secretary of state's office.
ELECTIONS 2024
Ohio's 17 electors have officially cast their votes for President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance. The 56th Electoral College of Ohio convened in the Senate Chamber on Tuesday at noon, with Secretary of State Frank LaRose presiding over the meeting. Senate President Matt Huffman (R- Lima) also spoke during the meeting, and Gov. Mike DeWine was in attendance to oversee the process. One of the 17 electors was not present for the meeting -- Meredith Freedhoff -- so the electors were required to appoint a replacement. They selected Craig Anderson of Columbus as Freedhoff's replacement. Other members of the Electoral College of Ohio were Diane Cunningham Redden (Cincinnati), Timothy Inwood (Wilmington), Keith Cheney (Lima), Gina Campbell (Findlay), Dave Johnson (Salem), Darrell Scott (Solon), Richard Jones (Fairfield Township), James Brennan (Perrysburg), Robert Scott (Kettering), Steve Loomis (Cleveland), Joy Padgett (Coshocton), Jane Timken (Canton), Janet Cafaro (Hubbard), Michelle Anderson (London), Robert Paduchik (Westerville) and Alex Triantafilou (Cincinnati).
ENERGY/UTILITIES
The DeWine administration announced Monday that for the first time all Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) candidates vetted by its Nominating Council and referred to the governor must make full financial disclosure to the Ohio Ethics Commission (OEC), a move long supported by the Office of Ohio Consumers' Council (OCC). Those candidates may include incumbent Commissioner Larry Friedeman, an eight-year member of PUCO appointed by former Gov. John Kasich in 2017 and reappointed by Gov. Mike DeWine in 2020. The current opening is for Friedeman's expiring seat. No more than three of the five commission members may be of the same political party, with Chairwoman Jenifer French and Commissioners Daniel Conway and Dennis Deters currently representing Republicans. Commissioner John Williams is an independent and Friedeman is a Democrat, meaning DeWine must appoint a non-partisan or Democrat to Friedeman's seat. Friedeman has issued no formal statement about his interest in reappointment, PUCO confirmed Monday. Commission hopefuls have until 5 p.m., Friday, Jan. 10 to deliver applications, including a resume, cover letter and OEC financial disclosure statement, to the PUCO Nominating Council, c/o Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, 180 E. Broad St., 11th Fl., Columbus, OH 43215-3793, or to PUCNominatingCouncil@puco.ohio.gov. The five-year term commences Friday, April 11, 2025 and ends Wednesday, April 10, 2030 and carries a salary range of $73,715 to $231,296.
PUCO granted FirstEnergy's request to withdraw its months-old rate agreement and revive its previous electric security plan (ESP) with an estimated $2-$3 monthly residential savings – a move opposed by several commercial interests. FirstEnergy filed the request in October after earnings fell almost 25 percent year over year in the first nine months of 2024, during which ESP V took effect on June 1.
FEDERAL
Saying it was his last floor speech of the year but not "the last time you will hear from me," Ohio's outgoing U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) focused on the importance of fighting for workers and the middle class in his farewell remarks Tuesday. He also said that "true populism" lifts up "all people" rather than tearing some down or playing to "race and division." Brown detailed his life story and how he saw manufacturing plants beginning to shut down in Mansfield as he was graduating from high school, before discussing his opposition to "bad trade deals" furthering the movement of manufacturing overseas such as NAFTA.
GENERAL ASSEMBLY/STATEHOUSE
Editor’s Note: The week saw a flurry of activity as both houses sought to wrap up the work of the 135th General Assembly. Not only did this entail committees’ addressing scads of amendments to bills, it also saw that time-honored lame duck activity of amending “bills into bills” to pass as many proposals as possible – even some of the more controversial ones. Because all of those actions can’t be summarized in just a few lines here, Hannah News subscribers are urged to check the bill pages for action on specific bills or use the search function to track down action on a specific topic.
The major “Christmas tree” bill of the end of the 135th General Assembly turned out to be HB315 (Hall-Seitz), which started out as the biennial township law omnibus that was sent to a conference committee late Wednesday night. Conferees included Reps. D.J. Swearingen (R-Huron), Bill Seitz (R-Cincinnati) and Bride Sweeney (D-Cleveland) and incoming Senate President Robert McColley (R-Napoleon), Minority Leader Nickie Antonio (D-Lakewood) and Sen. Nathan Manning (R-North Ridgeville). One provision of HB315 that did not make it through the process was a proposed pay raise for elected officials. However, as passed, this bill did include the following:
Includes three provisions of medical freedom bill HB73 (Gross-Loychik).
Removes a provision that would have specified that certain election officials are designated public service workers under the public records law, thereby prohibiting residential and familial information from disclosure.
Removes requirements from the Senate-passed version that a state agency apply the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's (IHRA) May 26, 2016, working definition of antisemitism when reviewing, investigating, or deciding whether there has been a violation of any relevant policy, law, or regulation, prohibiting discrimination based on anti-Semitic intent; and a requirement that anti-discrimination and anti-bias training for state agency employees use the IHRA working definition of antisemitism as an educational tool to familiarize staff and officials with antisemitism.
Restores a provision to provide funds to the Department of Development for grants to townships seeking to modernize regulations and processes tied to zoning efforts.
Authorizes townships to extend a tax increment financing district. The extension must be for a period not to exceed 15 years and must not increase the percentage of the value of improvements exempted from taxation.
Authorizes a state or local law enforcement agency to include in its public records policy the requirement that a requester pay the estimated actual cost before beginning the process of preparing a video record for inspection or production.
Exempts village mayors from the prohibition on having an unlawful interest in a public contract under certain circumstances.
Allows farmland to continue to be valued at its current agricultural use value (CAUV) for property tax purposes if the land becomes subject to a conservation project funded by the H2Ohio program or the land is or was, within the last two years, subject to such a project and is now subject to a conservation easement held by the state or another party in connection with the H2Ohio program.
Allows a municipal corporation, by ordinance, to provide 501(c)(3) nonprofit entities with an exemption from special assessments assessed for the purpose of managing shade trees in public rights of way and along the streets of the municipal corporation.
Clarifies, for purposes of authorizing regulatory assets related to the use or occupancy of a municipal public way, costs incurred by a public utility as a result of municipal corporation regulation (instead of local regulation as in current law) of its use or occupancy.
Establishes the Dolly Parton's Imagination Library of Ohio Advisory Board, which consists of 12 members. Also establishes the Dolly Parton's Imagination Library license plate.
Expands a sales tax exemption for building and construction materials incorporated into the original construction of a professional sports facility to apply to any subsequent construction and to include other tangible personal property incorporated into its construction.
Authorizes an institution of higher education (a state institution of higher education or a private college) to compensate a student-athlete for use of the student-athlete's name, image, or likeness (NIL). Specifies that a student-athlete is not an employee because the institution compensates the student-athlete for use of the student-athlete's NIL.
Makes changes to Ohio's notary laws, which are provisions from SB130 (Wilson).
Addresses limited liability company (LLC) filings with the secretary of state.
Prohibits a health benefit plan from imposing cost sharing for occupational therapy, physical therapy, or chiropractic services that is greater than the cost sharing for an office visit to a primary care physician or osteopath physician, which are provisions of HB141 (LaRe-Robb Blasdel).
Includes Madeline's law requiring health coverage of hearing aids and related services, which are provisions of HB152 (Weinstein-Young).
Includes provisions of county engineers bill HB430 (Klopfenstein-Rogers).
Includes provisions of HB583 (White-Plummer) regarding residential facilities for foster children.
Includes provisions of SB39 (Schaffer) addressing Commercial Activities Tax for auto dealers and addressing taxation of network delivery services.
Includes provisions of HB264 (Pizzulli-Johnson), to make certain steam-producing facilities waste energy recovery systems for purposes of the state's energy efficiency laws.
Includes provisions of SB44 (Brenner), regarding electronic licensing, land transfers and port authorities.
Includes provisions of SB189 (Lang-Manning) addressing identification and documentation for inmates released from correctional facilities.
Includes provisions of HB438 (Williams-Jarrells) to require a real estate broker or salesperson to provide the seller of residential real estate a disclosure relating to anti-discrimination laws in the home-buying process.
Committee amendments Wednesday cleared the path for legislation on parental disclosures, released time for religious instruction and superintendents' expulsion powers to head to Gov. Mike DeWine's desk. A key lawmaker on education issues also inserted a down payment on his plans for an overhaul and expansion of school closing laws. The final changes also included extra money for the state to fight litigation over EdChoice. After repeated delays in the votes on HB8 (Swearingen-Carruthers) and HB206 (Click) and an overnight recess, the Senate Education Committee adopted the following amendments to HB8, the parental disclosure and release time legislation:
AM3388-1: Specifying that a student excused from instruction that includes sexuality content is permitted to participate in alternative assignments.
AM3396: Removing references to core curriculum from the bill, instead requiring a school district to collaborate with the sponsoring entity for the religious instruction on an appropriate time for the instruction. Earlier committee changes had included a definition of core curriculum that would exclude subjects like art that are included in the definition of core subjects elsewhere in the law.
AM3515: Allowing school districts to include in their release time policies a requirement for background checks for all instructors and volunteers of the sponsoring entity offering religious instruction, with discretion for school districts to determine the manner of the background checks.
Regarding HB206, the expulsion measure, the committee also accepted several changes, including one amendment from the chair, Sen. Andrew Brenner (R-Delaware), that he described as a "base framework" for future changes to the school closing law, which he'd been pursuing via SB295 but which did not move. Brenner said the amendment, AM3391-1, would give up to two years' leeway for charter schools that are on the closing list because of poor report card results but were very close to the threshold for escaping that list. Other amendments to HB206 included the following:
AM3386-1: Requiring schools to report specific demographic data on expelled students to the Department of Education and Workforce (DEW).
AM3387-1: At DEW's request, increasing the line item for school choice administration in FY25 to provide $4.1 million for litigation costs.
AM3403: Allowing students easier access to anti-seizure medication, rather than having it locked in the school office, with written permission of both a parent and physician. Brenner said this is similar to what the law allows regarding inhalers now.
AM3476: Requiring local superintendents to comply with the same notice requirements for extensions of expulsions as for the original expulsion. In the full Senate, HB8 passed 24-7, with Sen. Louis Blessing (R-Cincinnati) joining Democrats in opposition. The House concurred with Senate amendments by a vote of 57-31, with Reps. Jamie Callender (R-Concord) and Gayle Manning (R-North Ridgeville) joining Democrats in opposition.
HB206 saw a similar vote, with Blessing joining all Democrats in opposition. The House also concurred with Senate changes to HB206 on a 61-25 vote.
In total, the Senate approved 23 bills, concurred on House amendments to 10 others, and approved the conference committee report on HB315 (Hall-Seitz).
Debate on HJR8 (Oelslager-Troy), which would put the bond issue on the May ballot, was short, as it is the companion bill to the previously passed SJR4 (Chavez-Craig). Sen. Matt Dolan (R-Chagrin Falls) said the bond issue will fund public works infrastructure projects throughout the state, and lawmakers were acting on it Wednesday in order to get it on the May 2025 ballot. The resolution passed with only Sen. Niraj Antani (R-Miamisburg) voting against it.
Other legislation passed by a unanimous or near-unanimous vote included:
HB7 (White-Humphrey), regarding services for infants, children, and parents. Dolan said the legislation came to the Senate with many great ideas, but also a $35 million price tag. Many of those issues will be better dealt with in the budget, he said. Sen. Vernon Sykes (D-Akron) said the bill will make meaningful change and will improve maternal health in the state. The bill passed unanimously.
HB29 (Humphrey-Brewer), regarding license suspensions and laws governing penalties for failure to provide proof of financial responsibility. The bill passed unanimously.
HB37 (Johnson-K. Miller), regarding OVI laws, which passed unanimously.
HB77 (Willis), establishing requirements and prohibitions governing the operation of unmanned aerial vehicles in Ohio, which passed unanimously.
HB106 (Jarrells-Lipps), enacting the Pay Stub Protection Act requiring employees to be given a copy of their pay stub, which passed unanimously.
HB173 (Troy), requiring hospitals to publish certain price information and designating various weeks and months, which passed unanimously. An Antani amendment establishing October as Hindu Heritage Month was accepted.
HB257 (Hoops-Claggett), authorizing certain public bodies to meet virtually, by a vote of 29-1.
HB265 (Wiggam), revising the Public Records Law, by a unanimous vote.
HB322 (Seitz-Abrams), addressing childhood sexual abuse laws, by a unanimous vote.
HB331 (Mathews-Young), addressing village dissolutions and official public notice requirements, by a vote of 29-1.
HB364 (Dobos), addressing noncommercial seed sharing, by a unanimous vote.
HB366 (Ghanbari), to address organized retail crime, by a unanimous vote. The bill was amended on the floor with what was called a technical amendment.
HB403 (Cutrona), addressing vehicle towing regulations, by a unanimous vote.
HB452 (White-Baker), addressing hospital violence prevention, by a unanimous vote.
HB531 (Lear-Lorenz), prohibiting sexual extortion, by a unanimous vote.
SB281 (Craig-Johnson), regarding the creation and display of a poster containing information on benefits and services for veterans, by a unanimous vote.
HCR8 (Patton-Lampton), urging the federal government to select Ohio as the permanent headquarters of the United States Space Command, by unanimous vote.
HCR11 (Klopfenstein-King), condemning the People's Republic of China for its role in the global drug trade, by a vote of 29-2.
HCR14 (Patton), urging Congress to enact the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Act of 2024, by a vote of 30-1.
Approval of House amendments to Senate bills included:
SB54 (Reynolds-Sykes), an omnibus government bill, which passed 28-1.
SB58 (Johnson), prohibiting fees or liability insurance for the possession of firearms, by a vote of 25-6.
SB63 (Lang), addressing the practice of "overnaming" in asbestos tort actions, by a vote of 25-6.
SB95 (Reynolds), related to remote dispensing pharmacies and to certified mental health assistants, by a vote of 28-3.
SB158 (Cirino), adding a judge to the Adams County Court of Common Pleas, by a vote of 25-4.
SB163 (Kunze), an omnibus license plate creation bill, by a unanimous vote.
SB208 (Roegner), regarding open enrollment policy exceptions for military children and other education provisions, by a unanimous vote.
SB211 (Roegner), to enter into the Dietitian Licensure Compact and to address operation of the 9-8-8 suicide prevention and mental health crisis telephone line, by a unanimous vote.
SB234 (Gavarone), which contains multiple awareness designations and authorizes peace officers to use epinephrine autoinjectors, by a unanimous vote.
SB237 (Gavarone-Manning), enacting the Uniform Public Expression Protection Act, by a unanimous vote.
Over in the House, members voted 80-3 to concur with Senate amendments to HB77 (Willis), which prohibits a person from operating a drone -- also known as an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) -- in a manner that knowingly endangers any person or property, disrupts operations of emergency services, or photographs, records or loiters near a "critical facility" with the purpose of causing harm. "This is a timely passage for what is affectionately known as the 'drone bill,'" Rep. Bernard Willis (R-Springfield) said during his floor speech. Earlier this week, airspace over Wright-Patterson Air Force Base was closed because of drones flying in the area, according to media reports.
Also sent to the governor's desk was "sextortion" bill HB531 (Lear-Lorenz), also known as "Braden's Law." The legislation, which creates the offense of sexual extortion, was introduced in response to the 2021 suicide of Olentangy High School student Braden Markus. Senate amendments to the bill were approved unanimously.
In other action, the chamber voted 81-7 to concur with Senate amendments to HB7 (White-Humphrey). Rep. Andrea White (R-Kettering) said the appropriations in the bill were removed because it's so close to the next budget, but noted significant "policy wins" remained in the bill.
The House also concurred with Senate amendments to the following bills:
HB29 (Humphrey-Brewer), which addresses the law governing driver's license suspensions. The vote was 84-5.
HB37 (Johnson-K. Miller), which modifies the law regarding OVI offenses. The vote was 83-0.
HB74 (Hall), which includes a variety of changes regarding state IT systems and elections. The vote was 61-27.
HB173 (Troy), which requires hospitals to publish certain price information. The bill also includes designations. The vote was 88-0.
HB238 (Fowler Arthur-Klopfenstein), which implements the recommendations of the Sunset Review Committee, revises occupational regulations and eliminates certain Ohio insurance laws that have been suspended since the enactment of the Affordable Care Act. The vote was 65-28.
HB257 (Hoops-Claggett), which addresses virtual meetings for public bodies. The vote was 81-0.
HB265 (Wiggam), which revises public records law. The vote was 89-0.
HB331 (Mathews-Young), which addresses the village dissolution process and modifies official public notice requirements. The vote was 82-1.
HB366 (Ghanbari), the Fight Organized Retail Crime and Empower Law Enforcement Act. The vote was 80-5.
HB403 (Cutrona), which addresses vehicle towing regulations. The vote was 79-4.
HB452 (White-Baker), which addresses hospital violence prevention. The vote was 74-9.
HB497 (Stewart-Klopfenstein), which makes county law changes and addresses land use. The vote was 87-2.
The chamber voted 59-27 to pass SB71 (Gavarone), legislation that allows any eligible voter to file a protest against a primary candidate on certain grounds, regardless of party. The bill also allows county party central committees to employ a secret ballot for filling vacancies in partisan, countywide elected offices.
The House rejected SB75 (Blessing), legislation that originally focused on joint economic development districts (JEDDs), but picked up amendments creating a regulatory relief division in the Common Sense Initiative, establishing a universal regulatory sandbox program, restricting cost-sharing requirements with regard to occupational and physical therapists and chiropractors and prohibiting homeowners associations from restricting the display of political yard signs. The final vote on SB75 was 38-53. Reps. Adam Bird (R-Cincinnati), Thad Claggett (R-Newark), Rodney Creech (R-West Alexandria), Jack Daniels (R-New Franklin), Bill Dean (R-Xenia), Ron Ferguson (R-Wintersville), Jennifer Gross (R-West Chester), Thomas Hall (R-Middletown), Darrell Kick (R-Loudonville), Angela King (R-Celina), Brian Lampton (R-Beavercreek), Beth Lear (R-Galena), Susan Manchester (R-Lakeview), Derek Merrin (R-Maumee), Bob Peterson (R-Sabina), Phil Plummer (R-Dayton) and Jena Powell (R-Arcanum) joined Democrats in defeating the bill.
The House voted 87-3 to pass Dietician Licensure Compact and 988 hotline bill SB211 (Roegner) after adding an amendment on the House floor. The amendment removes the following requirements pertaining to the 988 Fund from the bill:
Money in the 988 Fund is not subject to transfer to any other fund.
Any money including interest remaining in the 988 Fund at the end of each fiscal year does not revert to the General Revenue Fund, but remains in the 988 Fund.
The treasurer of state must disburse money from the 988 Fund only at the request of, or consultation with, the director of the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services.
The House also approved the following legislation:
SB54 (Reynolds-Sykes), which includes provisions on government commissions, sports sites, suicide prevention, soil and water conservation districts and changes to capital appropriations and reappropriations. The bill passed 76-14.
SB234 (Gavarone), which deals with awareness designations and mental health information. The bill passed 90-1.
SB290 (Antonio), which makes various highway designations and creates the "Dolly Parton Imagination Library" license plate. The bill passed 80-0.
HCR18 (Richardson), which urges Congress to enact the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act. The resolution was adopted by a vote of 67-18.
The Senate Workforce and Higher Education Committee Wednesday heard an update on the progress of five new civic and "intellectual diversity" centers at universities across Ohio. The committee also heard about work of the Northeast Ohio Workforce Collaborative.
GOVERNOR
Ohio is among the states that have promised to provide resources to help carry out President Donald Trump's immigration policies. Gov. Mike DeWine signed a Republican Governors Association (RGA) statement saying, "As Republican governors, we stand united in support of President Donald Trump's unwavering commitment to make America safe again by addressing the illegal immigration crisis and deporting illegal immigrants who pose a threat to our communities and national security." DeWine was among 26 Republican governors who signed the statement. The only Republican governor who did not sign the statement was Vermont Gov. Phil Scott. On his campaign website, Trump has promised to "carry out the largest deportation operation in American history."
Gov. Mike DeWine Thursday traveled to Cleveland to highlight the progress of his Governor's Expedited Pardon Project, announcing that nearly 200 people have been pardoned in the first five years of the initiative as he signed pardons for two more individuals. DeWine announced the effort in 2019, saying it would not only streamline but likely multiply the net number of pardons approved by his administration.
This week, the number of individuals who have received pardons through the program reached 182, according to the governor's office, including 74 who have received pardons in the last 12 months.
The governor signed the following bills:
SB6 (Schuring) amends and enacts sections of the Revised Code regarding environmental, social, and corporate governance policies with respect to the state retirement systems, Bureau of Workers' Compensation, and state institutions of higher education.
SB100 (N. Manning-Antonio) generally prohibits a person from knowingly installing a tracking device or application on another person's property without the other person's consent or failing to remove or ensure removal of such a device or application from another person's property if the other person gave consent and subsequently revokes it, authorizes collecting oral fluid as evidence in suspected OVI cases, and increases fines for repeatedly selling tobacco products to minors and applies the public nuisance law to places where such sales occur.
SB154 (Roegner) includes Space Force in the definition of the armed forces, armed services, and uniformed services of the United States.
SB196 (Roegner) amends sections of the Revised Code regarding the authority of advanced practice registered nurses.
SB257 (Chavez-T. Johnson) makes active duty members of the uniformed services eligible to participate in the homeownership savings linked deposit program and regarding Ohio National Guard Scholarship Program repayment interest.
HB5 (Ray-Baker) modernizes adoption laws.
HB28 (Humphrey) designates March as "Triple Negative Breast Cancer Awareness Month."
HB70 (Fowler Arthur-Gross) requires schools to adopt a policy regarding the administration of over-the-counter drugs.
HB78 (Seitz-J. Miller) amends sections of the Revised Code regarding State Teachers Retirement System Board member eligibility.
HB81 (Robb Blasdel-Jones) makes multiple memorial designations.
HB111 (LaRe-K. Miller) increases the sentencing range for third degree felony domestic violence and creates a presumption in favor of a prison term for the offense.
HB184 (Bird-Brennan) amends sections of the Revised Code regarding charitable solicitations.
HB234 (Williams-Rogers Jr.) revises the law relating to the suspension of a local official charged with a felony, prohibits a court imposing a sentence on an offender for a felony or misdemeanor from considering whether the offender who entered an Alford plea shows genuine remorse for the offense, and makes changes to sealing and expungement eligibility.
HB236 (M. Miller-Lear) prohibits a congregate care setting from denying a patient or resident access to an advocate during public health emergencies and names this act the Never Alone Act.
HB256 (K. Miller-Creech) requires the Department of Natural Resources to inquire about organ donation under specified circumstances.
HB289 (Robb Blasdel-Swearingen) provides that if a Tier I or Tier II sex offender/child-victim offender fails to comply with duties under the SORN law, the period of time that the offender has a duty to comply is tolled during the time of the failure, requires a sex offender/child-victim offender to register a fixed residence address or provide a detailed description of the places at which the offender or delinquent child intends to stay under the SORN Law, requires the Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, under specified circumstances, to notify the sheriff of a receiving county when an offender who is required to register as a sex offender will be transported to that county upon release, and repeals procedures relating to a subpoena of victims' records.
HB303 (Hall-Santucci) establishes a process for the revision of training subjects for EMS personnel and revises the law governing medication aides.
HB308 (Stein-Brennan) increases the term of the standard oil and gas lease for state land, makes changes to the Ohio Broadband Pole Replacement and Undergrounding Program, expands the purposes for which money derived from certain disposal fees on construction and demolition debris may be used by a board of health, and includes energy generated by nuclear reaction as green energy.
HB338 (White-Sweeney) allows child support orders to be issued, modified, or extended for children over 18 with a disability, changes the status of the judge of the Lebanon Municipal Court from part-time to full-time, and clarifies disbursement of funds related to computerization fees.
HB503 (Peterson-Jones) prohibits certain activities regarding garbage-fed swine, feral swine, and wild boar and revises a definition in the Agricultural Commodity Handlers Law.
Judicial appointment made during the week includes the following:
Gov. Mike DeWine's office said Friday he appointed Alyssa Blackburn-Dolan to Bowling Green Municipal Court, to succeed Judge Mark Reddin, who is retiring at the end of the year. Blackburn-Dolan will need to run in November 2025 to retain the seat. Blackburn-Dolan most recently has been city prosecutor for Bowling Green, and her experience also includes Wood County assistant prosecutor, assistant law director for St. Marys and attorney with Noble, Montague & Moul LLC. She has a bachelor's degree from Bowling Green State University and law degree from University of Toledo.
Appointments made over the week include the following:
Manuel Lopez Ramirez of Springfield (Clark County) to the Clark State College Board of Trustees for a term beginning Dec. 19, 2024, and ending Nov. 30, 2030.
Michael J. McDorman of Springfield (Clark County) and Kyle J. Hall of Urbana (Champaign County) reappointed to the Clark State College Board of Trustees for terms beginning Dec. 19, 2024, and ending Nov. 30, 2030.
Nicholas H. Gerber of Port Clinton (Ottawa County) to the Terra State Community College Board of Trustees for a term beginning Dec. 31, 2024, and ending Dec. 30, 2026.
Derek E. Gerstenberger of Fremont (Sandusky County) to the Terra State Community College Board of Trustees for a term beginning Dec. 31, 2024, and ending Dec. 30, 2030.
Timothy W. Ellenberger of Fremont (Sandusky County) reappointed to the Terra State Community College Board of Trustees for a term beginning Dec. 31, 2024, and ending Dec. 30, 2030.
Sam D. Bassitt of Lima (Allen County) reappointed to the James A. Rhodes State College Board of Trustees for a term beginning Dec. 19, 2024, and ending Aug. 31, 2027.
Trinity A. Kronk of Rocky River (Cuyahoga County) as a student member to the Northeast Ohio Medical University Board of Trustees for a term beginning Dec. 19, 2024, and ending June 29, 2026.
Elizabeth M. Riczko of Fairfield Township (Butler County) to the Bureau of Workers' Compensation Board of Directors for a term beginning Nov. 21, 2024, and ending June 11, 2025.
Merom Brachman of Bexley (Franklin County) reappointed to the Ohio Ethics Commission for a term beginning Jan. 2, 2025, and ending Jan. 1, 2031.
Rodney H. Arter of Croton (Licking County) to the Ohio Expositions Commission for a term beginning Dec. 19, 2024, and ending Dec. 1, 2030.
Douglas J. Preisse of Columbus (Franklin County) and Andrew E. Doehrel of Galena (Delaware County) reappointed to the Ohio Expositions Commission for a term beginning Dec. 19, 2024, and ending Dec. 1, 2030.
Christopher H. Gillcrist of Avon (Lorain County) to the Ohio History Connection Board of Trustees for a term beginning Dec. 19, 2024, and ending June 26, 2025.
Richard F. Hillis of Powell (Delaware County) reappointed to the Ohio History Connection Board of Trustees for a term beginning Dec. 19, 2024, and ending June 26, 2027.
Amy L. Holtshouse of Fairview Park (Cuyahoga County) to the Ohio Water Development Authority for a term beginning Dec. 19, 2024, and ending June 30, 2032.
Timothy W. Brown of Grand Rapids (Wood County) and Michelle C. Burke of Rocky River (Cuyahoga County) to the Ohio Lake Erie Commission for a term beginning Dec. 19, 2024, and ending Sept. 1, 2027.
David R. Baugh of Pickerington (Fairfield County) to the Board of Building Appeals for a term beginning Dec. 19, 2024, and ending Oct. 13, 2028.
Charles O. Moore of Upper Arlington (Franklin County) reappointed to the Board of Trustees of the Ohio Police and Fire Pension Fund for a term beginning Dec. 19, 2024, and ending September 27, 2028.
Dennis M. Clough of Westlake (Cuyahoga County) and Todd L. Poole of Delaware (Delaware County) reappointed to the State Fire Council for terms beginning Dec. 19, 2024, and ending Nov. 1, 2029.
Vernon L. Sykes of Akron (Summit County) to the Ohio Civil Rights Commission for a term beginning Jan. 1, 2025, and ending July 28, 2029.
Abass M. Bangura of Reynoldsburg (Fairfield County) reappointed to the New African Immigrants Commission for a term beginning Dec. 19, 2024, and ending Oct. 7, 2027.
Breann Gonzalez Almos of Bexley (Franklin County) to the Commission on Hispanic-Latino Affairs for a term beginning Dec. 19, 2024, and ending Oct. 7, 2026.
Edgar G. Vidales of Etna (Licking County) to the Commission on Hispanic-Latino Affairs for a term beginning Dec. 19, 2024, and ending Oct. 7, 2027.
Jose C. Feliciano, Jr. of Aurora (Portage County) and Mary J. Santiago of Lorain (Lorain County) reappointed to the Commission on Hispanic-Latino Affairs for terms beginning Dec. 19, 2024, and ending Oct. 7, 2026.
Juan M. Rivera of Youngstown (Mahoning County) and Maria S. Martinez of Hamler (Henry County) reappointed to the Commission on Hispanic-Latino Affairs for terms beginning Dec. 19, 2024, and ending Oct. 7, 2027.
Jeffrey Watkins of Blacklick (Franklin County), John T. Coats II of Columbus (Franklin County), and Stephen P. Massey of Springfield (Clark County) to the Ohio Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission for terms beginning Dec. 31, 2024, and ending Dec. 30, 2026.
J. Averi Frost of Columbus (Franklin County) and Napoleon A. Bell II of Columbus (Franklin County) reappointed to the Ohio Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission for terms beginning Dec. 31, 2024, and ending Dec. 30, 2027.
Christina Rodriguez of Toledo (Lucas County) has been designated to serve as Chair of the Ohio Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission effective Dec. 22, 2024.
Anthony W. Jesko of North Lima (Mahoning County) to the Oil and Gas Land Management Commission for a term beginning Dec. 19, 2024, and ending Sept. 29, 2028.
Andrew S. Good of Dublin (Union County) has been appointed to the Oil and Gas Land Management Commission for a term beginning Dec. 19, 2024, and ending Sept. 29, 2029.
Bing B. Crosby, Jr. of South Bloomfield (Pickaway County) to the Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council for a term beginning Dec. 19, 2024, and ending Dec. 31, 2025.
Krystal J. S. Albright of Paulding (Paulding County), Morgan D. Deavers of New Straitsville (Perry County), and Matthew LaFontaine of Findlay (Hancock County) reappointed to the Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council terms beginning Jan. 1, 2025, and ending Dec. 31, 2027.
Scott P. Borgemenke of Columbus (Franklin County) to the Ohio Casino Control Commission for a term beginning Jan. 1, 2025, and ending Feb. 21, 2025.
Nicole M. Dehner of Columbus (Franklin County) to the Ohio Collaborative Community-Police Advisory Board for a term beginning Dec. 19, 2024, and ending April 29, 2025.
Bruce L. Pijanowski of London (Delaware County) to the Ohio Collaborative Community-Police Advisory Board for a term beginning Dec. 19, 2024, and ending April 29, 2027.
Juanita O. Brent of Cleveland (Cuyahoga County), Michael P. Bell of Toledo (Lucas County), and Ronnie A. Dunn of Cleveland (Cuyahoga County) reappointed to the Ohio Collaborative Community-Police Advisory Board for terms beginning Dec. 19, 2024, and ending April 29, 2027.
Timothy D. Lanzendorfer of Columbus (Franklin County) to the Ohio Criminal Sentencing Commission for a term beginning Dec. 19, 2024, and ending Aug. 21, 2026.
Christine Morrison of Dublin (Franklin County) to the Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board for a term beginning Dec. 16, 2024, and continuing at the pleasure of the governor.
Misty D. Crosby of Vincent (Washington County), Karin Small Wurapa of Blacklick (Franklin County), and John R. Corlett of Lakewood (Cuyahoga County) reappointed to the Ohio Advisory Council for Aging for terms beginning Dec. 13, 2024, and ending Nov. 21, 2027.
GREAT LAKES
Those seeking to catch Lake Erie yellow perch can look forward to good fishing following the results of annual fish surveys conducted by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.
The yellow perch hatch in Lake Erie's Western Basin was found to be above average in two of three management zones during this year's annual trawl surveys conducted by the Division of Wildlife and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. Results of such surveys allow biologists to predict how many young fish will enter the catchable population in two or three years.
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
The group Oral Health Ohio recently announced that HealthPath Foundation of Ohio has received a $192,050 grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) to build an oral health workforce and improve access to oral health care across North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.
In addition to the funds from ARC, matching funds totaling $146,359 will be provided by the HealthPath Foundation of Ohio, Appalachian Children Coalition, North Carolina Oral Health Collaborative, Pennsylvania Coalition for Oral Health and West Virginia Oral Health Coalition, bringing the total available for the project to $338,409.
HIGHER EDUCATION
Bowling Green State University (BGSU) announced its inaugural advisory board for its Democracy and Public Policy Research Network in the Department of Political Science, with members including former Ohio Attorney General Betty Montgomery, former state legislator and former Ohio Department of Higher Education Chancellor Randy Gardner, and former U.S. Reps. Tim Ryan and Pat Tiberi. Gardner will chair the advisory board. BGSU said the board will meet throughout the year to provide insight and expertise on network research, develop community events focused on nonpartisan, civic engagement and connect with BGSU students for experiential learning opportunities.
HOUSING/HOMELESSNESS
The Ohio Housing Finance Agency (OHFA) said Wednesday its board chose former Sen. Bill Beagle, now a member of Treasurer Robert Sprague's staff, as its new executive director. Beagle will assume the role Monday, Jan. 6. Beagle is senior director of policy and program administration, a position in which he worked on the new Ohio Homebuyer Plus program, a linked-deposit savings program proposed by Gov. Mike DeWine and Sprague to boost the interest rate Ohioans can earn when saving toward a home purchase. Beagle succeeds Shawn Smith as executive director.
Nearly four dozen nonprofit and local government agencies throughout the state will receive over $20 million in grants to help Ohioans facing housing instability and homelessness find temporary and emergency shelter and permanent housing, the Ohio Department of Development (DOD) announced Thursday. The grants were awarded from DOD's Homeless Crisis Response Program (HCRP).
JUDICIAL
The Ohio Supreme Court is finishing out the year in a series of decisions affecting public records, opioid litigation, violent crime and stand-your-ground laws, along with another half dozen rulings on important legal debates that have come before the high court.
The Ohio Board of Professional Conduct has elected Cuyahoga County attorney Patrick McLaughlin chairman and Lake County assistant prosecutor Teri Daniel vice chair for 2025.
MEDICAID/MEDICAID REFORM
The Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) filed notice Tuesday of a new attempt to institute work requirements for the Medicaid expansion population, as required by the most recent state budget bill. ODM estimates about 62,000 people could be dropped from the program if the work requirements are approved. The DeWine administration sought and was granted a waiver to institute work requirements by the prior Trump administration, but the Biden administration rescinded that approval. With President-elect Donald Trump set to return to the White House, ODM is trying again. Lawmakers included a requirement for ODM to apply for a new waiver in HB33 (Edwards).
NATURAL RESOURCES
The Ohio Boating Education Course (OBEC) serves as a safety training resource for the state's maritime recreationists. In fact, any boater in Ohio born after Jan. 1, 1982 is required to complete a safety course before operating a boat or personal watercraft with 10 horsepower or more. Reflecting its commitment to fostering inclusivity and ensuring that all Ohioans have access to life-saving boating education, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) now offers its online OBEC resources in Spanish. OBEC materials can now be found at boat-ed.com, which also provides the materials in English.
NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS/ASSOCIATIONS
The Ohio Clerk of Courts Association (OCCA) named Ashland County Clerk of Courts Deborah Myers as president for the coming year. New officers also include the following:
First vice president - Licking County Clerk of Courts Olivia Parkinson
Second vice president - Wood County Clerk of Courts Doug Cubberley
Third vice president - Ashtabula County Clerk of Courts April Daniels
The Ohio Municipal League (OML), at its final board of trustees meeting in 2024, elected its 2025 officers and selected two additional trustees to join the board. Zanesville Mayor Donald Mason will serve as OML's board president in 2025, stepping into the role after having served as first vice president in 2024. Mason takes over from outgoing president, Centerville Deputy Mayor Belinda Kenley, who will continue serving on the board as past president. Lisbon Fiscal Officer Tracy Wonner will serve as first vice president, and Mount Vernon Mayor Matt Starr will be second vice president.
OHIO HISTORY
The Octagon Earthworks will open to the public for the first time in more than a century on Wednesday, Jan. 1, Ohio History Connection announced. The Octagon Earthworks is one of eight locations comprising the Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks, which was announced as Ohio's first UNESCO World Heritage Site. To celebrate the opening to the public, Ohio History Connection is holding an event beginning at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 1, the first day of full public access. The site is located at 125 N. 33rd St. in Newark. The event schedule includes:
11 a.m. - An immersive guided tour of the Octagon Earthworks.
1 p.m. - Coffee and conversation, including a welcome from Wood and exciting updates about the future of the Octagon.
2 p.m. - A second guided tour for those who wish to dive deeper into the history of the site.
The visitor center will be open until 4 p.m. Jan. 1. After Jan. 1, the Octagon property will be open to visitors daily during daylight hours, and employees will be at the Visitor Center during posted hours.
PENSIONS
A federal judge has named the state of Ohio lead plaintiff in the pension class action against business IT provider ZoomInfo, Inc. for $76 million in alleged losses to the State Teachers Retirement System (STRS) and Ohio Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS). Ohio and other plaintiffs including the Teachers Retirement System of Louisiana, International Longshoreman's Association and DeKalb County (Georgia) Pension Fund say the company that boomed during COVID-19 and maintained a favorable investment outlook during quarterly updates began to falter in late 2022 and continued to decline through August of this year.
POLITICS
The Ohio Democratic Party (ODP) announced it is launching a statewide effort to recruit Democrats to run for local office, especially in races that are often uncontested. ODP said the candidate recruitment program is part of a national movement led by Contest Every Race to ensure every Republican faces a challenger, especially in down-ballot races that most affect their communities. ODP said they are laying the groundwork for success in 2025 after a disappointing 2024 election cycle that saw Republicans sweep all three Supreme Court races and unseat U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH). The party said finding candidates "who reflect their local communities, in every county across Ohio, is crucial to ensuring all voters feel represented -- both now and in the future."
PUBLIC SAFETY
The DeWine administration awarded state, local and regional jurisdictions and nonprofits over $24 million in federal funding to improve traffic safety and reduce road-related fatalities in FFY25, the governor's office announced Monday. The Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) leads all recipients with more than $10 million in grants for high-visibility enforcement and general purposes. The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) is a distant second with over $860,000, followed in order by smaller awards to Ohio State University, Ohio Attorney General's Office, and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Just trailing them are a raft of OVI task forces: Oxford Division of Police, University Hospitals - Cleveland Medical Center, Blue Ash Police Department, Canfield Police Department, Stark County Sheriff's Office, and Summit County Sheriff's Office's will receive grants of $250,000 each. Other OVI task force awards between $200,000 to $250,000 include Dayton Police Department, Warren Police Department, Franklin County Sheriff's Office, and Lucas County Sheriff's Office.
REDISTRICTING/REAPPORTIONMENT
Seeking to be more proactive when it comes to ballot measures that may be put before Ohioans in the coming years, Sen. Louis Blessing (R-Cincinnati) has introduced resolutions that would make the initiated statute process easier and expand the membership of the General Assembly. While he doesn't expect to get much traction on his SJR5, which makes changes to the initiated statute process, and SJR6, which would increase the number of lawmakers in the Ohio General Assembly to 51 senators and 153 state representatives, he said he hopes to start the conversation and plans to reintroduce both in the next session.
SECRETARY OF STATE
Secretary of State Frank LaRose was mailed a powdery white substance at his Upper Arlington home, and law enforcement agencies are investigating, his office said Monday. Multiple agencies responded to his house late Sunday night. "Secretary LaRose received and opened mail at his home that contained a powdery substance and written material of a threatening nature," LaRose spokesman Dan Lusheck said in a statement.
TRANSPORTATION/INFRASTRUCTURE
The Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission (OTIC) on Monday approved its 2025 operating and capital budgets. Both budgets were approved unanimously by commission members during OTIC's monthly meeting. The 2025 All Funds operating budget totals $463.8 million, up from $431 million in 2024. The largest increase comes from toll revenues, which are expected to be $413.9 million in 2025, up from $381.8 million in 2024.
TREASURER OF STATE
The Ohio Treasurer's Office Wednesday announced it is offering an enhanced Ag-LINK application window for counties most affected by drought conditions as farmers plan for the upcoming growing season. The Ag-LINK program allows farmers, agribusinesses and co-ops to receive an interest rate reduction on new or existing operating loans, helping finance upfront costs for expenses such as feed, seed, fertilizer, fuel and equipment. Starting in January, the enhanced loan conditions will let qualified farmers benefit from the following:
An increased loan cap of up to $750,000;
An enhanced interest rate reduction; and
An extended loan period of up to two years.
UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION
The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) announced Tuesday several of what it called "technical enhancements" to help Ohioans manage their unemployment claims more easily. According to ODJFS Director Matt Damschroder, new features include the ability to now file weekly claims through the online "chat,” through the automated phone system, or even through text message in many circumstances.
[Story originally published in The Hannah Report. Copyright 2024 Hannah News Service, Inc.]