From the Statehouse 2006 No. 08
by Jennifer Garrison
Mar. 4, 2006
STATEHOUSE ARTICLE 2006- 7
A bill changing township law supported by the Ohio Township Association passed the Ohio House this week. House Bill 385 removes the limitation concerning the number of deferred compensation programs townships can offer to their officers and employees. The bill allows townships to charge a penalty up to $300.00 after three false fire alarms in one year.
Further, this bill permits the Board of Township Trustees to directly negotiate an agreement to form a fire and ambulance district. Today, the Board of Trustees first must create joint fire districts and joint ambulance districts. The bill increases the township lighting contracts from 10 years to 20 years. The bill also makes emergency resolutions effective immediately rather than 10 days out. I voted “yes”.
House bill 83, called the “heir hunting” bill also passed the Ohio House this week. The bill requires probate courts to determine the fairness of an agreement requiring a fiduciary or beneficiary to pay a percentage of an inheritance to another person. The bill also requires the probate court approve, modify or disapprove of the agreement.
This bill attempts to address the “heir hunter” process. In the “heir hunter” process, a “heir hunter” sends a letter to a potential beneficiary soliciting them to sign an agreement to pay them a percentage of the inheritance in exchange for obtaining the inheritance. This percentage of the heir’s share is usually between 25% and 40%. The purpose of this bill is to prevent “heir hunters” from charging an excessive and unreasonable fee. I voted “yes”.
House Bill 458 revises the definition of the “practice of veterinary medicine”. Veterinary medicine shall now include giving advice by telephone or by other electronic means. The bill also includes complimentary, alternative and integrative therapies within the definition. This bill clarifies that payment is no longer necessary to fall within the definition of “practice of veterinary medicine”.
House Bill 458 also changes the terms of service of the Members of the State Veterinary Medical Licensing Board from 5 to 3 years. Members may serve up to three, 3-year terms. Both the State Veterinary Licensing Board and the Ohio Veterinarian Medical Association supported this bill. The bill also allows Veterinary Practices to be owned in forms other than individual ownership. The Bill passed. I voted “yes”.
Finally, Senate Bill 206 creates a Deferred Retirement Option Program within the State Highway Patrol Retirement System. This program is designed to allow members who have reached retirement age to continue working in their positions and defer retirement benefits. I voted “yes”. The bill passed.
Last week I held a town hall meeting on Ohio’s Best RX program. This is a discount prescription drug program that began in January, 2005. Currently 61,000 participants saved $3.7 million dollars. However the public does not know about this program. It is estimated 500,000 Ohioans are eligible-- that do not participate.
There is no sign up fee.
You are eligible for Ohio’s Best Rx prescription drug card if you earn less than the following:
Family of 1 can earn up to $23,940 a year
Family of 2 can earn up to $32,100 a year
Family of 3 can earn up to $40,236 a year
Family of 4 can earn up to $48,396 a year
Family of 5 can earn up to $58,500 a year
Family of 6 can earn up to $67,000 a year
You can reach Jennifer Garrison at her Columbus office at 614-644-8728 or in the district at 740-373-2414 or by e-mail at jennifer@jennifergarrison.com. Her website is <a href="/a>