From the Statehouse 2007 No. 21
by Jennifer Garrison
Sep. 7, 2007
FROM THE STATEHOUSE- SEPTEMBER 7, 2007
This is my final report on legislation that passed out of the Ohio House prior to June 30, 2007, when we recessed for the summer. We are scheduled to go back into session next week.
The final mix of legislation deals with the Lake Erie, poaching wildlife and photo-monitoring devices.
Substitute Senate bill 77 amends regulations for the commercial fishery industry in Ohio, to allow the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to maintain a viable fishing population in Lake Erie.
Specifically, this bill changes language in regard to quota allocation for commercial fisheries and the locations on Lake Erie where the commercial fisheries can catch perch. The goal is to direct the fishing to areas of the lake where perch populations are healthiest.
This bill also makes it unlawful to hold a commercial fishing license if you have been convicted of a commercial fishing activity felony after the date this bill becomes law. The felon can still be employed by another commercial license holder who is then responsible for the felon’s actions.
The bill creates the Ohio Lake Erie Fishing Regulatory Reform Task Force. The task force will meet to discuss quota allocations, size limits for game fish, vessel monitoring devices, commercial fishing license transfers and other fishing issues. This task force will report back to the General Assembly and disband by December 31, 2007.
I supported Substitute Senate bill 77 and it passed.
Substitute House bill 238 increases the penalties for poaching white-tailed deer and other wildlife in Ohio. The penalty for poaching an antlered white-tailed deer in Ohio will be determined based on a score received under the National Boon and Crockett Antler measurement system.
I supported this bill because current law does not deter criminals from poaching Ohio wildlife. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources, the National Wild Turkey Federation, the Ohio Chapter of Wild Ducks Unlimited and the League of Ohio Sportsmen all supported this legislation. The bill passed.
There has been much controversy regarding monitoring traffic with photo monitoring systems in Ohio. House bill 30 is quite simple. It requires local governments to install signs on the side of the roadways notifying motorists when traffic photo monitoring mechanisms are being used. I support this bill and it passed.
Finally, I went into great detail in previous reports about House Bill 5 and Substitute Senate Bill 7, both limiting the use of eminent domain in Ohio. I strongly supported both pieces of legislation. Amended Senate Joint Resolution 1 also dealt with eminent domain. This resolution would have placed on the ballot an amendment to the Ohio Constitution to provide limits on the home rule authority to take private property for public use. I did not support placing this on the ballot because I supported the legislature taking care of the issue through House Bill 5 and Substitute Senate bill 7, both of which passed the House. The House voted “no” on placing this measure on the ballot.
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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