From the Statehouse 2008 No. 09
by Jennifer Garrison
Mar. 20, 2008
From the Statehouse: March 20, 2008
By Jennifer Garrison
The Ohio House of Representatives believes in protecting vulnerable citizens and giving local governments the tools to take action in the best interests of their communities. The House recently passed several bills that address these key concepts.
Substitute Senate Bill 87 creates an emergency alert system for missing senior citizens and mentally impaired adults. This alert system will be similar to AMBER Alerts used for missing children, and it will be available for any person over 65. It will also be available to any adult over age 18, who has an impaired mental condition whose disappearance poses a threat to the safety of that person.
The bill also speeds up the process of adding a missing person’s vital information to the National Crime Information Center. This legislation is similar to laws enacted in Georgia, Colorado, Indiana, and Texas, and I believe the citizens of Ohio deserve the same level of protection.
S.B. 87 passed including my “yes” vote. I believe the Senate will quickly approve amendments added in the House before sending the bill to the Governor.
Senate amendments to another piece of legislation did not fair as well. House Bill 181, which would help police in missing children investigations, was amended in the Senate to increase court fees to fund programs including drug task forces. I voted “yes” on the bill when it was passed out of the House last September, and I voted “yes” in support of the bill with Senate amendments.
I believe it would allow law enforcement officials on drug task forces to perform their difficult duties more effectively.
A majority of the House Members voted “no” on the Senate amendments.
The House and Senate will now form a conference committee that will hopefully bring resolution to these discrepancies shortly. I will keep you updated on any developments.
The next piece of legislation will help public defender programs in every Ohio county. Substitute Senate Bill 209 increases fines for OVI convictions and allocates the new money proportionately to county governments, according to how much they spend on public defenders.
S.B. 209 passed, including my “yes” vote. It now goes to the Governor for his consideration.
Finally, House Bill 385 allows township trustees to acquire land to preserve “green space” for recreation. Current law permits township trustees to place a “green space” levy on the ballot to protect land, water or wetlands from development. However, the Ohio Revised Code states that land acquired by a “green space” levy cannot be used for recreation.
This bill clarifies that although the land was acquired as the result of a “green space” levy, it can be used for recreational purposes as long as the recreation does not permanently alter the open space.
This will give townships the freedom to use “green space” land to bring in additional revenue for the township or as a public space for community recreation, depending on what a specific community needs.
H.B. 385 passed by an overwhelming 92-2 majority, including my “yes” vote. Its next stop is the Governor’s desk.
You can reach Jennifer Garrison at her Columbus office at (614) 644-8728 or in the district at 373-2414 or by e-mail at jennifer@jennifergarrison.com. Her Web site is Riffe Center | 77 South High Street | Columbus Ohio 43215-6111 | (800) 282-0253 | District93@ohr.state.oh.us
Web Site Design | FireBox Studios