From the Statehouse 2007 No. 19
by Jennifer Garrison
Aug. 17, 2007
FROM THE STATEHOUSE – August 17, 2007
Summer break is almost over for us in the Ohio House of Representatives. And as we prepare for our Fall session, I would be remiss if I didn’t report on some of the “smaller” bills previously passed that will affect us all. These pieces of legislation, all of which I supported, cover topics from wildlife and farming, to criminal background checks and the disposal of lead-acid batteries.
Amended House Bill 104 is an important safety measure designed to protect you. It allows certain boards and commissions to obtain criminal background checks from the Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Identification. The bill also requires the appropriate licensing board to consider the results of those checks in determining a person’s eligibility for licensure. Right now, many boards that license individuals only rely on a simple “yes” or “no” on an application form. The bill passed the House and is now in the Senate for consideration.
The House and Senate also both passed a resolution – Senate Concurrent Resolution 7 – urging Congress to fully fund the mandate laid out by the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006. The federal Adam Walsh Act establishes a comprehensive national system to register sex offenders, which requires Ohio to amend its sexual offender registration and notification laws. I have reported about the bills we passed to amend those laws in previous articles.
A third safety measure was signed into law by Governor Strickland in July. Substitute Senate Bill 18 expands the list of offenses that cannot be sealed under the sealing records law when the victim is under the age of 18. The sealing records law is civil in nature and is a completely different remedy sought after the criminal case is concluded.
The House also passed a bill defining the acceptance of gifts. House Bill 160 clarifies Ohio law to allow someone to disclaim a gift at any time before they accept the gift. It also clarifies that the disclaimer can be made by a fiduciary, and a minor who has already accepted a gift can later disclaim it, as long as they do so by their 18th birthday. That measure, with my “yes” vote, now heads to the Senate.
A trio of other bills affects aspects of our environment. House Bill 153 allows Ohio to participate in the National Wildlife Violators Compact. The Compact is essentially a database shared currently by 25 member states, which lists violators whose hunting and fishing licenses have been permanently revoked or suspended. This bill allows the Division of Wildlife within the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to work jointly with law enforcement agencies from other states, the federal government and Canada to efficiently enforce conservation laws within the member states. Governor Strickland signed the bill into law last month.
House Bill 169 prescribes rules regarding the disposal and collection of used lead-acid batteries, the large batteries used in cars and boats. The Senate will now consider the legislation, which requires you to return a lead-acid battery to a retailer or wholesaler of batteries, an automotive repair business or a lead-acid battery collection entity.
Finally, the House passed a bill designed to help our farmers. House Bill 217 creates the Ohio Small Grains Council Program, which would be charged with increasing domestic and international demand for Ohio wheat, barley and rye. The program is industry funded and has an opt-out provision within 30 days of application. That bill is now in the Senate.
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 Riffe Center | 77 South High Street | Columbus Ohio 43215-6111 | (800) 282-0253 | District93@ohr.state.oh.us
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