Week in Review May 26, 2026

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This report reflects the latest happenings in government relations, in and around the Ohio statehouse. You’ll notice that it’s broad in nature and on an array of topics, from A-Z. This will be updated on a weekly basis.

Please feel free to share it with anyone else you believe may find it of interest, as well. Also, please do not hesitate to contact us should you have any questions, concerns or if we can be of any assistance.

ABORTION/REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS

The U.S. Supreme Court traded a series of short-term stays for an indefinite one this week in a dispute over remote prescribing of mifepristone, a medication used to induce abortion. The U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals recently granted a request for a stay of the regulation on remotely prescribing mifepristone, which a district court had decided was flawed but had declined to stay on its own. But soon after, Justice Samuel Alito issued an order for the U.S. Supreme Court freezing the Fifth Circuit's ruling for a few days, then for a few more days. On Thursday, May 14, the full Supreme Court extended the stay through the pendency of the case at the Fifth District, as well as through any successful appeal to the Supreme Court. Taking mifepristone is the most prevalent form of inducing abortion in Ohio. Of about 25,000 abortions reported in Ohio in 2025, mifepristone was used in about 15,000,

according to the latest annual report on abortions from Ohio Department of Health.

Reps. Levi Dean (R-Xenia) and Jennifer Gross (R-West Chester) have filed a lawsuit challenging the reproductive and abortion rights constitutional amendment passed by voters in 2023, arguing that it conflicts with other sections of the Ohio Constitution and that the changes it made are only allowed through a constitutional convention rather than a ballot initiative. It is the second lawsuit filed this year seeking to overturn 2023's Issue 1. Last month, Judge David Engler, a domestic relations and juvenile court judge in Trumbull County, filed a lawsuit with the Ohio Supreme Court arguing the amendment stripped him of his authority over judicial-bypass proceedings held when a minor seeks to have an abortion over the objections of her parents. The lawsuit filed by Dean and Gross, joined by Lebanon City Councilwoman Kristen Eggers, argues that the Issue 1 ballot initiative, along with a number of other amendments, "sought and obtained immense funding for controversial ballot measures from foreigners and out-of-state residents, such that non-Ohioans have been rewriting the Ohio Constitution to govern Ohioans with overwhelming expenditures." A copy of the lawsuit can be found HERE.

AMERICA 250-OHIO

Several programs and events in line with America 250-Ohio's theme for May, "Ohio Creates: Arts, Culture and Literature," will be taking place across the state yet this month, showcasing the state's role in fostering the arts and its history of influential writers and cultural institutions. "So many of our country's most significant artists, authors and cultural icons have roots in Ohio, and this May we want to celebrate how all of those Ohio-inspired works have become integral to current American culture and our shared national history," said Todd Kleismit, executive director of America 250-Ohio, in a statement.

ATTORNEY GENERAL

Attorney General (AG) Dave Yost's final Missing Children Clearinghouse Report reveals the second fewest minors documented missing in a decade last year to continue a larger trend of significantly lower numbers since 2020. At the same time, six children are confirmed dead compared to three in 2024. The AG also omitted six categories for kids under 18, including those missing under circumstances indicating possible physical danger or involuntary disappearance; minors under physical or mental disability, subjecting them or others to "personal and immediate danger"; and missing children not satisfying any other category and for whom there is a reasonable concern for their safety. Yost issued his 20-page report Monday in recognition of and ahead of National Missing Children's Day, Monday, May 25. The number of minors reported missing in 2025 is 6 percent lower than the previous year and 23 percent lower than in 2017, when the state posted a 10-year high of 20,043 missing children. The 2025 Missing Children Clearinghouse Report can be found HERE. Yost's Missing Person's website can be found HERE.

The AG Thursday discussed results of a recent human trafficking sting operation carried out by law enforcement agencies throughout the state, while also reflecting on past efforts to combat trafficking during his time in office. Yost is scheduled to resign on June 7 to work at a national nonprofit law firm. Asked about Ohio Department of Public Safety Director Andy Wilson, who Gov. Mike DeWine announced as the next attorney general, Yost said he's known Wilson for years and he is a "career law enforcement guy," noting Wilson's time as Clark County prosecutor. He added he couldn't imagine Wilson stopping the office's human trafficking focus but would let him speak further on that himself.

The enforcement operation, dubbed "Spring Cleaning," led to arrests of 122 people seeking to buy sex, including from minors. Yost detailed how 84 "johns" were engaging in prostitution or solicitation and 38 people were arrested on felony charges that included compelling prostitution, attempted unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, trafficking in persons, and drug possession and/or trafficking. Law enforcement agencies referred 42 people identified as human trafficking survivors to health care and social services organizations, and 15 search warrants were executed in connection with suspected human trafficking at massage parlors in Akron, Columbus, Dublin, Grafton, Powell, Toledo and Willoughby. The operation was conducted between May 13-20 in 15 counties including urban, suburban and rural areas.

The Ohio Attorney General's new prison inspection office has given Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (DRC) facilities generally positive marks since taking over last fall for the defunct Correctional Institution Inspection Committee (CIIC) repealed in HB96 (Stewart). The Correctional Facility Inspection Services (CFIS) is now led by Chief of Inspections James Wesson, who capped his 21 years of prison work as warden's assistant at DRC's Grafton Correctional Institution before moving to the AG's office. Wesson's chief inspector is Deborah Drummond, whose 28 years with DRC culminated in the position of operational compliance manager at Trumbull Correctional Institution. CFIS reports to Chief Counsel and Ethics Officer Bridget Coontz in the attorney general's office but is not reviewed by a publicly appointed advisory council or other body, based on responses from the AG.

FY27-28 CAPITAL APPROPRIATIONS

The House and Senate are exploring areas of overlap and difference in their community projects lists and working through the DeWine administration's spending proposals as they compile a capital budget proposal, finance chairs of the two chambers said this week. Unlikely to emerge are any major stadium funding efforts, as a court battle continues over lawmakers' use of unclaimed funds for that purpose. In the House, House Finance Committee Chair Rep. Brian Stewart (R-Ashville) said he believes his chamber is on track for a Tuesday, June 2 bill introduction in anticipation of passage by Wednesday, June 10. Stewart said that earlier the House had "locked" its community projects list and sent it to the Senate.

Senate Finance Committee Chair Jerry Cirino (R-Kirtland), speaking after Tuesday's committee meeting, indicated Senate consideration might be a slightly different timeline. "We're kind of floating around with June 10 and June 17, and somewhere in that range is when we'd like to be finished with it," he said.

CITIES

Ohio's capital city ranked among both the largest and fastest growing cities in the U.S. between 2024-2025, according to population figures recently released by the U.S. Census Bureau. Columbus ranked No. 15 on the Census Bureau's list of the country's most populous cities as of July 1, 2025 with a population of 938,396, behind Charlotte, NC at No. 14 with 964,784. That makes Columbus the most populous city in Ohio by far, as Cleveland's population on the same date was ranked second at 363,608, followed by Cincinnati at third at 314,367.

DISABILITIES

State standards and oversight efforts for youth residential treatment facilities are not sufficient to keep children sent there safe, much less to ensure they receive quality programming to improve their lives, a new report from Disability Rights Ohio (DRO) finds. Federal law requires as a condition for funding that states designate an agency to advocate for people receiving disability and mental health services; DRO performs that function in Ohio. In the report, "Patterns Persist: Alarming Concerns in Ohio's Residential Treatment Facilities for Children and Youth," DRO noted it had a decade earlier issued a report on the topic of residential treatment facilities (RTFs). Some recommendations have been fully or partially implemented, while others were not -- including elimination of restrain and seclusion, and prevention of abuse and neglect though mandated reporting and implementation of a quality improvement system that goes beyond minimum licensing requirements.

Disability advocate Lisa Followay testified to the House Children and Human Services Committee on Tuesday in support of a bill that she has worked on in the three previous legislative sessions to address one of the major challenges Ohioans with disabilities face regarding accessible parking. "Handicap parking spaces are routinely misused and abused, trampling on the rights of people with disabilities who depend on them," said Followay. "Change is desperately needed, and it is something I have been working toward since 2018." HB712 (Craig) builds on legislation Followay worked on in previous sessions with former Rep. Scott Wiggam, including 133-HB787 (Wiggam), 134-HB31 (Wiggam) and 135-HB391 (Wiggam-Lipps).

EDUCATION

A number of witnesses made their case against SB113 (Brenner) before the Senate Education Committee Tuesday afternoon. The meeting marked the bill's third hearing and the first held since last spring, adding it to the slew of recent bills aiming to reform the state's education system. Should it pass, SB113 would ban diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs in Ohio public schools. Opponents criticized the legislation, arguing it would "trample on local control with statewide policies that run counter to the needs of Ohio communities," testified Melissa Cropper, president of the Ohio Federation of Teachers. "It is especially concerning when local control of schools is impeded for political reasons," Cropper continued, "DEI has become a vilified concept that has been blamed, without any evidence, for everything from plane crashes to wildfires. These political attacks have obscured what DEI programs actually are, and why organizations, schools and governments put those policies in place to begin with."

All but one of 12 proposed changes to the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) Constitution and Bylaws passed the association's annual referendum voting period, which took place from May 1 to May 15. The only proposed change that OHSAA's voting membership did not pass would have allowed a student at an OHSAA member public school which does not sponsor a particular team sport to participate in that sport at another OHSAA member public school, provided that the schools were within 20 miles of one another and the superintendents of both schools approved the arrangement. The proposed issue failed by a vote of 416 opposed and 358 in favor, with 29 voting members abstaining. In total, 803 of 815 OSHAA member high schools cast ballots. Eight other high school issues were approved by the voting schools, with a full list of those issues available HERE. All but one of the issues that passed will take effect on Saturday, Aug. 1, before the beginning of the 2026-2027 school year.

The Ohio School Safety Center (OSSC) Monday announced it expanded its Camera Trailer Program, an initiative designed to improve situational awareness and security at large-scale school events across the state. When the program initially launched in October 2025, OSSC was operating only four camera trailers. That number has now expanded to eight. The program reflects a "strategic investment" in preventive safety measures, OSSC said, with trailers providing footage of outdoor event spaces that allow school officials and law enforcement to "monitor crowd activity, identify potential safety concerns and respond quickly to incidents." Camera trailer requests can be made by schools HERE.

Electronic Classroom of Tomorrow (ECOT) founder William Lager should have to explain in court why he should not be held in contempt for failing to provide a household budget as part of an asset freeze order, Attorney General Dave Yost's office argues in legal filings. Lager's defense team retorts that he's done just that, but Yost is simply misreading the court's order. In response to the asset freeze order, Lager's team in summer 2025 provided to opposing counsel a list of "living and professional expenses" -- the former running nearly $18,000 per month, the latter more than $25,000, almost all of which is legal fees. Lager recently lost his bid to challenge the asset freeze in the Ohio Supreme Court, which declined to accept his appeal of a 10th District ruling that upheld the trial court's asset freeze order.

ELECTIONS

Pointing to concerns about the integrity of the elections process by voters and public support for the idea, legislative Republicans moved forward Wednesday with companion resolutions that would ask Ohio voters to enshrine photo identification requirements in the Ohio Constitution. Debate on the Republicans' proposed constitutional amendment to require photo identification to vote officially kicked into gear Wednesday afternoon as both chambers saw the formal introduction of the resolutions: SJR10 (Timken-Gavarone) in the Senate and HRJ9 (Bird-Workman) in the House. Wasting no time and demonstrating the urgency Republicans are apparently operating under following the publication of a column by GOP gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy on Monday calling for Ohio to "enshrine" voter ID in the state constitution, the House General Government Committee held its first hearing immediately following Wednesday's House session, while the Senate General Government Committee held its first hearing after the Senate session. Senate President Rob McColley (R-Napoleon) and House Speaker Matt Huffman (R-Lima) spoke to reporters about the measures during a press conference earlier in the day, joined by SJR10 sponsor Sen. Jane Timken (R-Canton) and HJR10 sponsors Reps. Adam Bird (R-New Richmond) and Heidi Workman (R-Rootstown), as well as Senate General Government Committee Chair Kristina Roegner (R-Hudson). McColley said it is important to offer voters the opportunity to enshrine voter identification in the Ohio Constitution despite the fact that it is already in the Ohio Revised Code. Huffman said he believes it will pass overwhelmingly given public sentiment. The lawmakers noted the requirements to use a photo identification in other walks of life, such as getting on an airplane or to rent a car.

ELECTIONS 2026

While U.S. Sen. Jon Husted (R-OH) continues to hold a commanding lead in ad spending in the U.S. Senate special election this November, challenger Sherrod Brown has been chipping away at that lead in recent weeks. Ad spending in support of Husted jumped out to a large lead over Brown in April as a number of PACs pledged to spend millions in Ohio until general election day. Senate Leadership Fund (SLF) was foremost among those PACs, announcing in April that it was dedicating $79 million in Ohio alone to elect the Republican candidate. SLF said at the time that amount was larger than the amount it was dedicating to any of seven other states with a competitive U.S. Senate seat this fall. But after that initial disadvantage, Brown's campaign has begun buying more airtime around Ohio than Husted's campaign or its affiliated PACs. Between primary election day, May 5, and Friday, May 15, Brown's campaign spent $1.5 million on television advertising in markets throughout Ohio, compared to just over $500,000 spent by Husted's campaign and nearly $256,000 spent by the Husted Victory Joint Fundraising Committee (JFC), followed by other smaller amounts from a number of pro-Husted PACs, according to AdImpact, which tracks political ad spending.

An internal National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) Poll shows Republican Derek Merrin leading U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-Toledo) in the 9th Congressional District. The National Review reported on the poll, conducted by McLaughlin & Associates on behalf of NRCC. It surveyed 400 likely voters from Saturday, April 18 through Monday, April 20, ahead of Merrin’s winning the nomination. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.9 percent. Merrin, who lost narrowly to Kaptur in 2024 but is now running in a more favorable district due to 2025 redistricting, has 47 percent, while Kaptur has 43 percent, and Libertarian David Gedert has 3 percent. The poll also gives a generic Republican an advantage over a generic Democrat in the district 48 to 45 percent with 8 percent undecided.

ENERGY/UTILITIES

A water and sewage provider to a half million Ohioans says it doesn't believe the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) has the authority to regulate its merger with the nation's largest water/wastewater utility but nevertheless signed a stipulation cleared by PUCO recently to increase American Water Works Company's territory to 17 million people across 17 states and 18 military bases. Aqua Ohio is owned by Essential Utilities of Bryn Mawr, PA, along with fellow subsidiaries in Illinois, Indiana, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and Virginia. Commissioners voted 4-0 to approve Essential Utilities and American Water's October 2025 deal through a joint application filed at PUCO on the last day of the year. "The enhanced scale and operational efficiency of the combined company will support sustained and necessary investment in water and wastewater infrastructure in Ohio and across the country," they said. The companies' territories currently overlap in five states excluding Ohio (i.e., private land) and together will cover 11 more including California, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Tennessee and West Virginia served by American Water and three more served by Aqua.

FEDERAL

The USS Cleveland was officially commissioned in the U.S. Navy on Saturday, May 16, in Cleveland, making it the fourth ship to be named in honor of the city of Cleveland and marking the first time in history that a U.S. warship was commissioned in Ohio. Measuring nearly 380 feet long and crewed by roughly 115 sailors, the USS Cleveland is the 16th and final Freedom-variant littoral combat ship (LCS) to be built and commissioned in the U.S. Navy. The new Navy warship, rostered as LCS 31, sailed past several lakefront parks along the state's Lake Erie shoreline as it cruised toward the Port of Cleveland, drawing crowds of Ohioans stretching from Vermilion to Cleveland eager to get a glimpse of the ship, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reported.

GAMING/GAMBLING

Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC) members named Deputy Executive Director and General Counsel Andromeda Morrison as the entity's interim executive director effective June 1, as longtime OCCC Director Matthew Schuler is stepping down May 31. "It has been the honor of my life, serving the people of Ohio and especially these last 15 years with the OCCC," Schuler said. "I am immensely proud of what the team has built and incredibly grateful to the commissioners for their guidance and support over the last decade and a half." Schuler served as clerk and chief of staff in the Ohio Senate before taking up OCCC leadership.

OCCC announced Thursday it had served a search warrant on two businesses in the Medina County villages of Lodi and Seville in partnership with the respective police departments there, following complaints the businesses were operating gaming machines in violation of state law. "Illegal casinos harm communities and Ohioans that live in and contribute to those communities," said Schuler. OCCC said approximately 40 suspected illegal slot machines were disabled or seized at the two locations, along with an undisclosed amount of U.S. currency. The investigation remains ongoing.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY/STATEHOUSE

Mandates for clear watermarks on images generated by artificial intelligence (AI), penalties for using the technology to create child pornography, and creating a private right of action if complaints to the attorney general do not lead to enforcement are among proposed AI regulations in a bill passing the Senate on Wednesday. The chamber voted unanimously to approve SB163 (Blessing-Johnson), which also would penalize the use of AI to replicate a persona for identity fraud purposes. Sen. Terry Johnson (R-McDermott), joint sponsor of the legislation with Sen. Louis Blessing (R-Cincinnati), said his own mother was targeted by scammers through impersonation of her granddaughter's voice. "She believed it, and she was bilked," Johnson said.

The Senate also voted unanimously for a measure to try to thwart theft of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Under SB315 (Craig-Schaffer), lawmakers are directing $3 million to help the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services to begin gradually replacing Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards with more secure versions that have chip technology common in today's bank cards.

Also passing unanimously was an expansion of the voter address confidentiality program meant to protect survivors of domestic violence and stalking by allowing them to register to vote using a post office box administered by the secretary of state's office, making it more difficult for abusers to track them down using registration information. Sen. Susan Manchester (R-Lakeview) said SB225 expands the list of offenses perpetrated against a victim that would make them eligible for the program, including crimes that cause serious physical harm or death or involve a threat with a deadly weapon. The legislation also allows the program to apply to members of that person's household. "Violence does not impact only one individual, it affects entire families," she said.

Only one bill on the Senate floor drew any dissenting votes Wednesday, SB157 (Lang), which would reduce the statute of limitations for bringing an action related to a written or oral contract. It passed 26-4. The sponsor, Sen. George Lang (R-West Chester), said Ohio can still do more to be a business friendly state, noting that California has a statute of limitations similar to what's proposed in the legislation. Sen. Paula Hicks-Hudson (D-Toledo) said lawmakers had previously shortened the statute of limitations for contracts, and she argued that further shortening them could lead to lawsuits' being rushed through in order to beat the deadline, only to be later dismissed.

In other action, the Senate also unanimously passed the following bills:

• HB170 (Robb Blasdel-Peterson), to establish a state framework for regulating carbon capture and storage. This heads back to the House for agreement with the Senate changes.

• SB280 (Johnson), regarding registration of High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles, aka Humvees, as historic vehicles.

• SB281 (Roegner), to allow county commissioners to directly award transit system franchises.

• HB311 (E. White-Hoops), designating the third full week of May as EMS Week. This now heads to the governor.

• SB328 (Koehler), to create middle school career exploration requirements and require the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (DEW) to make education and workforce data more useful and applicable.

• SB343 (Manning), regarding workers' compensation coverage for members of urban search and rescue units.

• SB354 (Roegner), to join Ohio to the Interstate Podiatric Medical Licensure Compact.

• SB358 (Manning), to create the blackout license plate.

• SB393 (Tiken-Manning), to change laws on sexually oriented offenses involving juveniles.

The House Wednesday passed legislation that would require local governments to submit their expenditures to a public database operated by the Ohio Treasurer of State's Office similar to state transactions published as part of the Ohio Checkbook. Rep. Tom Young (R-Washington Township) said his HB413 (Young-Peterson) expands transparency and accountability in government for taxpayers in Ohio. He said taxpayers expect government to respect the tax dollars and be responsible and open on how those are used. The legislation helps to ensure that happens by expanding and modernizing the current State Government Expenditure Database to include a local government database. "When taxpayers can clearly see where their money is going, government works better," he said, adding the bill empowers citizens to engage more directly with their local communities. Co-sponsor Rep. Bob Peterson (R-Sabina) said the bill "creates a true one-stop shop" for citizens to see how the government spends their money. The bill passed 91-5.

Also passing during Wednesday's session were the following bills:

• HB446 (Mathews-Stewart), modifying trust and probate laws, by a unanimous vote.

• HB475 (Thomas-Synenberg), creating the offense of jury tampering, by a unanimous vote. The sponsors said they were surprised to learn the offense did not exist in current Ohio law.

• HB565 (Jarrells-Odioso), exempting from disclosure under public records law the name and address of a grand juror and the signature of a grand-jury foreperson, by a unanimous vote.

• HB689 (White), to modernize fingerprint and disposition reporting, by a unanimous vote.

• HB732 (M. Miller), to create the Ohio Heart of it All Pass Program under TourismOhio, by a vote of 91-4.

• SB106 (Reineke), regarding electric vehicle charging stations, by a vote of 96-1.

• SB223 (Patton), to require the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) chief of the Division of Parks and Watercraft to establish a discount program for veterans and service members for park services and rentals, by a unanimous vote.

Another bill, HB504 (King), the Calculated Adjustments for Property Surges or CAPS Act, which would give local governments an option to phase in significant property tax increases over three years, had been scheduled for a House vote but did not pass out of committee. House Speaker Matt Huffman (R-Lima) told reporters after session that county auditors and public school groups raised concern about it in committee. He said it is "unfortunate" that none of the groups had raised their concerns during the four previous hearings but said lawmakers decided to hold another hearing and bring it forward during their next session.

The Ohio House and Senate have now both appointed their own select committees on data centers that will meet jointly, updating the plan for an initially-described Joint Data Center Committee. The House Select Committee on Data Centers is led by House Energy Committee Chair Adam Holmes (R-Nashport). Senate Energy Committee Chair Brian Chavez (R-Marietta) leads the Senate Select Committee on Data Centers. The members of the respective select committees include Reps. Thad Claggett (R-Newark), Heidi Workman (R-Rootstown) and Chris Glassburn (D-North Olmsted), and Sens. Bill Reineke (R-Tiffin), Shane Wilkin (R-Hillsboro) and Willis Blackshear (D-Dayton).

When sexual assault nurse examiners (SANEs) need to appear in a courtroom to testify about a survivor's case, that is a "waste of time" that those nurses could be spending with other patients, Sen. Michele Reynolds (R-Canal Winchester) said on Tuesday. Reynolds appeared with representatives of the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN), the Ohio Alliance to End Sexual Violence and local SANEs to introduce SR359 (Reynolds) to urge courts to encourage remote testimony of SANEs in sexual assault trials. Supporters argue that due to the current shortage of health care workers and the vital role SANEs provide, removing individuals from their role of caring for survivors to spend hours in a courtroom prevents them from doing their job as intended, and ensuring sexual assault survivors receive the care they need at the moment they need it increases the likelihood that justice will be pursued through the legal system.

The House Democratic Caucus announced the following members of its communications staff this week: long-time House Democratic staffer Andy DiPalma will serve as deputy chief of staff and communications director. DiPalma has served in the Legislature for nearly 50 years in various roles. Lillian Ross will serve as deputy communications director. She previously served as U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur's (D-Toledo) press and digital assistant, and has served as a White House intern and in communications roles on campaigns. Sahara Wali will also serve as deputy communications director. She previously worked as a freelance communications and strategy consultant. She will help lead the caucus' online presence and communications strategy. Bobby McAlpine will serve as minority constituent outreach coordinator. He was previously a caucus aide.

Former Ohio Sen. Jeffrey Armbruster died Friday, May 15, after a battle with brain cancer. He was 78. He served on North Ridgeville City Council and was elected North Ridgeville mayor in 1989. He won election to the 13th Senate District in 1997, where he served as Senate Transportation Committee chair, and served until term limited in 2006. He was appointed as North Ridgeville safety service director in 2009, a role he continued until he was appointed Lorain County administrator in 2023. A private family internment will take place on Friday, June 5. A celebration of his life will be held at Willoway Nurseries, 4534 Center Road in Avon, on Sunday, June 7. The memorial service will begin at 2 p.m., followed by a reception to celebrate Armbruster's life until 5 p.m.

In other legislative action, the House Education Committee reported out HB523 (Brennan-Manning) which enacts the Future Educators Support Act; and SB156 (Cutrona) which implements the success sequence curriculum; the House Transportation Committee reported out HB463 (Klopfenstein-Lorenz) which revises driver education requirements; and HB339 (Hoops) which addresses a surviving spouse’s use of the “Purple Heart” license plate; the Senate Finance Committee reported out SB120 (Hicks-Hudson) which establishes the Urban Farmer Youth Initiative Pilot Program; the Senate Workforce Development Committee reported out SB331 (Wilson-Blackshear) which addresses the ability of certain public hospitality employees to receive tips; and HB268 (Humphrey-Click) which modifies when a certificate of qualification for employment is filed; the House Agriculture Committee reported out HB163 (Rader-Deeter) which addresses SNAP EBT cards; the House Local Government Committee reported out HB639 (Deeter-Click) which addresses nuisance claims; the Senate Armed Services, Veterans Affairs and Public Safety Committee reported out HB297 (Ritter-Newman) which provides funding for Memorial Day expenses; the Senate Health Committee reported out HB479 (Schmidt) which addresses contrast imaging; and the Senate Judiciary Committee reported out SB135 (Brenner) which deals with foreclosures and estate sales.

GOVERNOR

Gov. Mike DeWine detailed plans for his remaining months in office and what he hopes will happen in the next governor's administration at the Columbus Metropolitan Club forum Wednesday. Asked what he hopes to accomplish in that time left, DeWine said that after his second election as governor, he was given a clock by former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush counting down the time he had left. As of Wednesday morning, DeWine said, there were 235 days remaining and that time is "precious and it is fleeting." He added he wants to finish the work he's been doing, with a mind that some efforts will continue to the next governor's term. DeWine pointed to attracting more businesses to Ohio, which depends on filling the jobs those businesses will create and not losing any current residents. He hopes the next governor will focus on early childhood development and kindergarten preparedness, with the latter being an area where the state made "huge progress" in the past year, and that the Dolly Parton Imagination Library will continue. DeWine also emphasized the science of reading method and work to enable more children to receive needed eyeglasses through the OhioSEE program.

HIGHER EDUCATION

Gov. Mike DeWine, Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel and Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE) Chancellor Mike Duffey announced Monday that 59 institutions will be awarded funding for the latest round of Choose Ohio First (COF) scholarships, which are meant to benefit students and bolster Ohio's efforts to strengthen the state's workforce in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The COF scholarship supports students pursuing STEM degrees and certificates, and students pursuing education degrees and certificates with a STEM focus. This latest round of funding -- totaling more than $26 million -- was approved by the Controlling Board during its meeting Monday. According to ODHE, the funding will provide scholarships over a four-year period beginning with the 2027-2028 academic year. The one-year gap gives institutions time to recruit students into their STEM programs.

The House Workforce and Higher Education Committee Tuesday heard sponsor, proponent and interested party testimony on HB319, a bill offered by Chair Tom Young (R-Washington Twp.) to modernize the state clinical teaching subsidy program. In sponsor testimony, Young said HB319 is meant to ensure those taxpayer-supported funds are directed toward education and training of physicians and doctors, rather than being expanded beyond their original purpose into allied health disciplines. The bill follows several interested party meetings and a hearing for invited testimony in June 2025. "Ohio invests significant resources into medical education and it is important that those dollars are aligned with physician workforce needs, educational performance, and the long-term health care needs of our state," Young continued.

JUDICIAL

Chief Justice Sharon Kennedy marked Wednesday's "Judicial-Legislative Exchange" at the Ohio Statehouse in remarks to the Ohio State Bar Association's (OSBA) annual meeting of members. Kennedy highlighted America's celebration of its 250th anniversary -- noting half the Declaration of Independence's signers were lawyers -- the continuing need for attorneys in rural Ohio's "legal deserts," and the prospects of artificial intelligence (AI) in filling that void. "Artificial intelligence has the promise of improving access to justice," she told OSBA members gathered in the Statehouse Atrium. The chief said AI can reduce man hours for legal research, drafting and related administrative tasks and, consequently, the cost of legal services to all Ohioans, including those of limited means. She said the Ohio Supreme Court has engaged an IT contractor "to identify responsible use" of artificial intelligence in the state judiciary. At the same time, Kennedy warned of AI "hallucinations" in attorney legal work -- "inaccurate, fictitious or nonsensical results that are plausible or seemingly credible," as defined in the Ohio Board of Professional Conduct's newly released Artificial Intelligence for Lawyers and Judicial Officers, a 16-page ethics guide that follows the May 2025 unveiling of the Court's web-based Artificial Intelligence Resource Library. The Supreme Court's Artificial Intelligence Resource Library can be found HERE. The Board of Professional Conduct's Artificial Intelligence for Lawyers and Judicial Officers can be found HERE.

LOBBYISTS/ASSOCIATIONS

Ohio Mayors Alliance announced recently the hiring of Nicole Clum for the new position of deputy director. Prior to joining the Ohio Mayors Alliance, Clum served as vice president of government relations for the Inter-University Council of Ohio, leading statewide advocacy efforts for Ohio's public universities. She previously served as legislative policy manager for the Office of the Ohio Public Defender and as a litigator for the Ohio Attorney General's Office and a prosecutor.

MEDICAID/MEDICAID REFORM

Ohio would launch an anti-fraud blitz and have a federal waiver submission to boost Ohio's share of Medicaid program savings ready to go at the outset of his administration, GOP gubernatorial nominee Vivek Ramaswamy said Tuesday at a Columbus press conference. Ramaswamy and running mate Senate President Rob McColley (R-Napoleon) gathered with House Speaker Matt Huffman (R-Lima) and Auditor Keith Faber, the GOP nominee for attorney general, to discuss the topic. The event also included remarks from Luke Rosiak, a reporter with the Daily Wire whose series on home health care billing in Northeast Columbus has prompted renewed scrutiny of Medicaid spending. Rosiak also spoke to the House Medicaid Committee at a hearing later Tuesday. Several other lawmakers attended the press conference, including House Finance Committee Chair Brian Stewart (R-Ashville) and Vice Chair Mike Dovilla (R-Berea), Senate Finance Committee Chair Jerry Cirino (R-Kirtland), House Medicaid Committee Chair Jennifer Gross (R-West Chester), and Senate President Pro Tempore Bill Reineke (R-Tiffin), McColley's presumed successor as Senate president.

House Medicaid Committee Chair Jennifer Gross (R-West Chester) said Tuesday her panel will be busy in the coming weeks as lawmakers look to enact Medicaid anti-fraud policies, and Rep. Josh Williams (R-Oregon) indicated his home health care electronic verification mandate in HB795 could expand to encompass more policies. "I would look forward to and remind my committee that next week we most likely will also be holding committee, in the week of the [Memorial Day] holiday. We may hold more than one committee next week. It depends on the demands and suggestions from the House as to what direction we will go with Medicaid fraud and how we are being enlightened in the Medicaid program," Gross said at the outset of Tuesday's meeting. In addition to calling a first hearing on Williams' bill, the committee heard remarks from Luke Rosiak with the Daily Wire, whose reporting on suspicious home health care billing practices in Central Ohio has brought increased scrutiny on Medicaid here.

Medicaid providers who've not billed the program in more than a year will be terminated, and those deemed high risk will be revalidated more frequently under emergency rules issued Monday by Gov. Mike DeWine. The announcement of an executive order enabling emergency rules accompanied other action in the Controlling Board on anti-fraud data analytics, part of a series of actions DeWine's office announced recently. The federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently asked states to develop provider revalidation strategies, including increased oversight of higher risk provider types. According to DeWine's office, emergency rules put into effect by Executive Order 2026-01D will do the following:

• Allow the Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) to terminate agreements for providers that have not provided services or billed the program in more than one year.

• Require Medicaid providers at higher risk for committing fraud to revalidate their enrollment more frequently to confirm regulatory compliance.

• Allow ODM to require certain providers to recredential as determined necessary by the department.

• Allow denial of a provider enrollment application when a federally approved moratorium is in effect, even if the application was received but not approved before the moratorium began. DeWine recently announced such a six-month moratorium.

Speaking after the House Rules and Reference Committee meeting Wednesday, Speaker Matt Huffman (R-Lima) told Hannah News that given the "enormity" of Medicaid fraud concerns, he wants to pass a bill addressing that by Wednesday, June 10. Representatives leading on this issue -- who Huffman identified as House Medicaid Chair Rep. Jennifer Gross (R-West Chester), House Finance Chair Rep. Brian Stewart (R-Ashville), House Finance Vice Chair Rep. Mike Dovilla (R-Berea) and Rep. Josh Williams (R-Toledo) -- will be meeting with their Senate counterparts to develop legislation that both bodies can agree on by June 10, he continued. "I think that's certainly possible -- a lot of these things have been pending for a while and some of them are the direct recommendations of the governor. Obviously, we also want a bill that the governor is going to sign," Huffman said. He added the House vehicle for this will be HB795 (Williams), and the House will have at least one committee hearing during the week of May 25 on the "variety of suggestions" for Medicaid changes.

The Ohio Controlling Board Monday approved an amendment to an actuarial contract for the Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) that will allow it to use a new fraud detection and analytics platform that it said will enhance program integrity and protect taxpayer dollars. The request amends ODM's contract with Milliman Inc., of Indianapolis, to add the vendor's anomaly detection platform to its current actuarial services at an additional cost of nearly $900,000 in FY26. Rep. Mike Dovilla (R-Berea), who held the item, questioned ODM about why the platform was not already in place to detect fraud, waste and abuse. Adam Landefeld, legislative liaison for ODM, explained that the tool was just released, adding Milliman had won a contest through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on creating tools to root out fraud, waste and abuse. ODM was made aware the tool was available in December, and staff decided it would be a good addition.

MENTAL HEALTH

Sen. Willis Blackshear (D-Dayton) spent every step of his 72-mile walk to the Statehouse thinking about the veterans, first responders, youth and others dealing with some sort of mental health struggle, he said upon his arrival on Monday after having embarked Thursday from the Dayton Metro Library to raise awareness about the mental health issues faced by Ohioans. "I am doing this for all those who are struggling with mental health issues, for those individuals and groups supporting them, and to advocate for more funding and action on mental health initiatives," Blackshear said upon his departure last Thursday. Upon his arrival at the Statehouse on Monday, Blackshear noted one in four American adults each year experiences a mental health struggle, as do one in seven children each year. Blackshear said 50 percent of all mental illness begins in one's teenage years.

NATURAL RESOURCES

Deer-borne diseases like chronic wasting disease (CWD) and epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) have increased among Ohio's deer populations in recent years, due at least in part to the state's growing density of deer. Numbers recently released by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife show that the number of harvested wild deer that tested positive for CWD grew to 40 in 2025 from 24 in 2024 and 27 in 2023. Those numbers of positive tests reflect tests on thousands on deer carcasses each year, so the low prevalence rate and little mortality associated with the increase in positive tests does not represent an emergency situation for the state's wildlife officials, according to ODNR Wildlife Biologist Clint McCoy. However, an increase in incidences of CWD and an outbreak of EHD in 2025 that led to bag limits placed on deer hunters in three Ohio counties suggest that too many deer in the state make such diseases more likely to spread, McCoy told Hannah News. The 2026-2027 hunting seasons for all deer include the following:

• Deer archery: Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, to Sunday, Feb. 7, 2027

• Youth deer gun: Saturday, Nov. 21, 2026, and Sunday, Nov. 22, 2026

• Deer gun: Monday, Nov. 30, 2026, to Sunday, Dec. 6, 2026; Saturday, Dec. 19, 2026, and Sunday, Dec. 20, 2026

• Deer muzzleloader: Saturday, Jan. 2, 2027 to Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2027

ODNR is calling on high schoolers in Ohio with an interest in the outdoors to get a peek behind the curtain of the agency. Students entering grades 9-12 in the 2026-2027 school year can now apply to be part of the next Conservation Teen Advisory Council (ConTAC). Applications for the ConTAC class of 2026-27 are currently open and close on Friday, June 5, 2026. More information about ConTAC can be found HERE, and interested students can apply HERE.

PENSIONS

The State Teachers Retirement System (STRS) knocked off about a third of its planned operating budget increase for FY27 after questioning from lawmakers who oversee state pension systems. The STRS Board of Trustees this week approved a $137.2 million operating budget for FY27, an increase of 6.2 percent from FY26. At the mid-May meeting of the Ohio Retirement Study Council (ORSC), STRS Executive Director Steve Toole and interim CFO Kevin DeVries had presented a budget proposal of $141.8 million, a 9.8 percent increase from FY26. ORSC does not formally approve pension system budgets, but Rep. Adam Bird (R-Cincinnati), the council chair, called the increase concerning and urged STRS trustees to "take a strong look at these numbers before approving them." Among the changes is a reduction in the number of additional full-time equivalent positions Toole proposed to add - down from nine to two.

PEOPLE

U.S. Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-Columbus) announced on Monday the addition of Cassie Baloue to her office as deputy chief of staff and director of communications.

PUBLIC SAFETY

The DeWine administration is looking to head off OVI during the Memorial Day Weekend with the statewide initiative Project Plan Ahead to provide rideshare credits that keep impaired individuals from driving. Targeting high-risk holidays and events, the new program within the Ohio Department of Public Safety's (DPS) Ohio Traffic Safety Office (OTSO) seeks to reduce drug and/or alcohol OVI and prevent traffic fatalities and injuries with a convenient alternative to driving when under the influence. Participants can claim up to $15 in free Uber or Lyft rideshare credits and pay any remaining balance. Rides must originate or have a destination in one of seven regions with some of Ohio's busiest roads: Hamilton/Butler, Cleveland/Cuyahoga, Columbus/Franklin, Cincinnati/Hamilton, Toledo/Lucas, Dayton/Montgomery and Akron/Summit. More information on redeemable Lyft and Uber codes can be found at the Project Plan Ahead webpage HERE.

STATE GOVERNMENT

New schools and other government buildings built with the help of the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC) will be built with tighter efficiency rules and more streamlined regulations following OFCC's meeting on Thursday. The commission approved a resolution to update the rules governing the energy efficiency requirements for new projects, following a regular five-year rule review. OFCC Legislative Liaison A.J. Thomas said the previous rules were designed to reduce energy consumption by newly completed building projects, and the regulations had been successful in doing so. But Thomas called those rules outdated and from a previous administration. Currently, the applicable ORC section contains seven rules pertaining to the energy efficiency requirements for new building projects. Thomas said those rules will be combined into one rule with more clearly defined targets. Thomas said the Ohio Building Code and other national standards have been updated to call for higher efficiency standards, and OFCC's new rules will consider the new costs associated with the new standards.

TECHNOLOGY/AEROSPACE

Opponents of HB317 (T. Mathews) told the House Technology and Innovation Committee Tuesday that public entities should be able to continue using previously-purchased drones made by foreign entities until the end of the drones' life, even after the committee approved an amendment to delay the bill's prohibition for two years after the bill's effective date if enacted.

TRANSPORTATION/INFRASTRUCTURE

Members of the Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission (OTIC) continued to discuss efforts to improve collection of unpaid tolls at their meeting Monday, with OTIC Executive Director Ferzan Ahmed saying that publicized information on commercial toll evasion has been "positive." Those efforts had been discussed at previous meetings and Ahmed said several companies reached out to pay their outstanding debts after a list was published via a press release and on social media. The overall trucking industry supports that effort, he added, and the "overwhelming majority" of companies pay the required tolls.

TREASURER OF STATE

Ohio will become the first state to successfully authorize and promote statewide agency use and acceptance of digital asset payments through an initiative called Buckeye Billfold, the office of Ohio Treasurer of State Robert Sprague's office announced on Thursday. Buckeye Billfold will allow Ohioans to make payments to state agencies via a digital wallet, and payment options on state agency websites will include credit cards, ACH and cryptocurrency like Bitcoin. Cash and check will also remain available as payment options for Ohioans.

VETERANS

Ahead of Memorial Day, Gov. Mike DeWine, joined by Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel and Ohio Department of Veterans Services Director John Harris, took part in the annual wreath-laying ceremony Thursday to honor the memory of Ohio's fallen soldiers. The ceremony, which took place on the Veterans Plaza east of the Statehouse, drew a large crowd and featured musical performances from the 122nd Army Band, Pickerington Symphonic Chorale and Second Lt. Andrew Lipian of the Ohio Air National Guard. DeWine recognized the sacrifices made in past conflicts along with those more "heartbreakingly recent. … To those families, we say Ohio continues to mourn with you." The ceremony also paid tribute to the three members of the Ohio Air National Guard's 121st Air Refueling Wing who were killed during Operation Epic Fury earlier this year -- Capt. Seth Koval, Capt. Curtis Angst and Master Sgt. Tyler Simmons.

WORKERS’ COMPENSATION

Chairman Chauncey "Chan" Cochran of the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) Board of Directors voiced one regret Thursday as members feted his six-year run as head of the agency's governance board. Cochran urged his successor to maintain "rigorous procedure" and noted investment fund performance -- long credited with BWC safety programs for major cuts in state insurance rates -- comes with real risks. The outgoing chair remains on the board when his new term commences in June after Gov. Mike DeWine reappointed him, Chairman David Johnson of the Medical Services and Safety Committee, and Vice Chair Peggy Griffith of the Governance and Medical Services committees this month and named Chairwoman Suzanne Kiggin of the Governance Committee board chair starting Friday, June 12.

[Story originally published in The Hannah Report. Copyright 2026 Hannah News Service, Inc.]