From The Statehouse 2005 No. 26
by Jennifer Garrison
Oct. 8, 2005
From the Statehouse Article 26
The Ohio House of Representatives was back in session this week and voted on a number of bills.
In light of the current energy crisis, the Ohio House voted out a very timely bio-fuel and renewable energy bill. Amended Substitute House Bill 245, focuses on increasing the use and availability of bio-fuels in the State of Ohio. This bill creates a revolving loan program that is funded by general revenues for local governments to use to retrofit vehicles for reduced fuel consumption.
The bill requires 90% of vehicles purchased by the state be alternative fuel vehicles. State agencies would be required to use a minimum of 30% of alternative fuels at the effective date of the act; 50% by July 1, 2006; 75% by July 1, 2007; and 90% by July 1, 2008.
The bill creates a preference in awarding state contracts where the vehicles use bio-diesel made from Ohio soybeans and ethanol made from Ohio corn. Agriculture is Ohio’s biggest industry.
The bill requires the Ohio Department of Administrative Services to establish the Alternative Fuel Transportation Grant Program to assist in developing the overall fuel infrastructure system for bio-diesel and E85. The program will be available to businesses, nonprofit organizations, public school systems, and local governments for the purchase and installation of new vehicles or for retrofitting a vehicle.
With the price of gasoline sky rocketing, the Ohio Alternative Fuel Transportation Grant Program could prove very beneficial to schools in rural Ohio where each school bus drives hundreds of miles every day.
Also, the bill creates a tax credit for retail fuel stations that sell at least 60% of E10 or higher blends of ethanol as a percent of all fuel sold.
Additionally, the bill creates a tax credit for retail stations that install or retrofit equipment to dispense E85 fuel for sale to the general public. The maximum tax credit is $10,000.00
This bill passed 94-0. I voted “yes” and was a co-sponsor of the legislation.
Another substantial piece of legislation that passed was Substitute House Bill 95. Substitute House Bill 95 modifies the sentencing provisions for a repeat violent offender. This bill requires that third time violent offenders may be given an additional sentence.
The additional sentence for repeat violent offenders that a court may impose is 1-10 years if all the following apply. 1) the individual is convicted or pleads guilty to a repeat violent offender specification; 2) the individual is convicted or pleads guilty to a felony of the first degree, or a felony of the second degree involving violence or the threat of violence to another; 3) the individual is receiving the longest prison term available; 4) and the court finds recidivism and seriousness of a requisite nature.
This bill allows prosecutors to prove the repeat violent offender specification by introducing a certified copy of prior convictions. The bill passed 75-20. I voted “yes”.
House Bill 235 updates Ohio’s Coroners law and related provisions of the Death and Fetal Certificate Law. The bill also removes the prohibition against a sheriff or coroner, who is also an attorney, from practicing as an attorney in court. The bill passed 87-6. I voted “yes”.
I will report on House Bill 115 next week.
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 www.jennifergarrison.com