ICYMI: WTF is Going on @ The Ohio Statehouse Webinar 2/24/26
In this special episode, we replay our Tuesday webinar discussing legislation under consideration at the Ohio Statehouse. Learn about bills being considered, then take action!
Warning: It’s a lot. Remember, you don’t have to fight every battle. Pick a couple bills to focus on, then get to work!
Presenters:
Maria Bruno, Ohioans Against Extremism
Emily Cole, OFUPACCriminal Justice (5:00 - 9:09)
Jona Hilario, OPAWLImmigration (9:30 - 20:45)
Spencer Dirrig, Ohio Environmental Council Action FundEnvironment (20:57 - 27:38)
Danielle Firsich, Planned Parenthood of Ohio Healthcare (27:46 - 32:03)
Josh Meek, Equality Ohio LGBTQ+ Rights (32:12 - 41:03)
Christina Collins & Rachel Coyle, Honesty for Ohio Education Education (41:27 - 50:15)
Criminal Justice (5:00 - 9:09)
Presenter: Emily Cole, OFUPAC
Bills discussed:
* SB 321 - *bad* - Allows “special police officers” to be armed while escorting patients, patrolling grounds, operating medical detectors in behavioral health hospitals
* SB 295 - *bad, signed into law* - Extended competency restoration to three years for aggravated murder, murder or where life in prison is possible sentence
* HB 338 - *pushing amendment* - Creates survivorship benefits for COs; eliminates higher education/rehabilitation program access, tablet access for residents in max security
* HB 548 - *GREAT!* - Mandatory substance use and alcohol screening after every use of force incident for all peace officers
Take Action: FollowOFUPAC to get action alerts and legislative updates
Immigration (9:30 - 20:45)
Jona Hilario, OPAWL
Bills discussed:
* ICE Bills
* HB 26 - require law enforcement cooperation with ICE
* HB 281 - require hospitals cooperate with ICE
* HB 200 - require local govt and LE cooperate with ICE
* HB 42 - require agencies including schools collect immigration and citizenship data
* SB 172 - require officials allow arrests with or without warrants anywhere
* HB 544 - expands scope of obstruction of justice
* Dems’ immigration bill package - 8 bills
Take Action: Sign up for updates from OPAWL, stay tuned for action alerts if one of the bills keeps moving
Environment (20:57 - 27:38)
Spencer Dirrig, Ohio Environmental Council Action Fund
Bills discussed:
* HB 303: Sponsored by Rep. Ray (R) and Rep. Hoops (R) - Establishes a Community Energy Pilot Program, capped at 1,500 megawatts total. 500 MW reserved specifically for distressed sites and commercial or public rooftops
* SB 329: Sponsored by Sen. Hicks-Hudson (D) and Sen. Smith (D) - Prohibits the surface application of brine from oil and gas wells on roads in Ohio
Take Action:
* Ask Senate Energy Committee Chairman Sen. Chavez to schedule hearings on HB 303!
* Ask Senate Natural Resources Committee members to move forward to SB 329 for Ohio’s health and safety.
* Keep up with Ohio Environmental Council Action Fund for future calls to action.
Healthcare (27:46 - 32:03)
Danielle Firsich, Planned Parenthood of Ohio
Bills discussed:
* SB 309: would force providers to deliver a state-written disclosure that frames medication abortion as unusually dangerous; includes civil & criminal liability for providers
* SB 310: fetal development video required in any school instruction related to human growth or sexuality
* HB 347: reinstates the 24-hour waiting period before an abortion procedure and forces providers to give medically inaccurate information about the risks of abortion
* HB 324 (attack on medication abortion) and HB485 (Baby Olivia Act) passed the House in November and have been referred to the Senate.
Take Action: Sign up for alerts from Planned Parenthood of Ohio for calls to action
LGBTQ+ Rights (32:12 - 41:03)
Josh Meek, Equality Ohio
Bills discussed:
* Slate of Hate
* HB 693: Parental Right to Harm Bill - Enshrine discriminatory anti-LGBTQ+ principles into nearly every aspect of Ohio’s child welfare and family law system
* HB 249: Drag Ban - Legally defines drag performances and being transgender as “obscene”
* HB 172: Emergency Youth Mental Health Access - Repeals Emergency Youth Access to Mental Health Services Without Parental Consent
* Slate of Love
* HB 136 (Rader, Lett) & SB 70 (Antonio): Ohio Fairness Act
* HB 300 (Brownlee, Lett) & SB 71 (Antonio, Liston): Conversion Therapy Ban
* SB 211 (Antonio): Designate Love Makes a Family Week
* HJR 4 (Synenberg, Somani): Marriage Ballot Initiative
* HB 327 (Brownlee, Brewer): P.R.I.D.E Act - LGBTQ+ Healthcare
* SB 221 (Antonio, Smith): Equality Ohio License Plate
Take Action: Sign up for updates from Equality Ohio to get action alerts about these bills.
Education (41:27 - 50:15)
Christina Collins & Rachel Coyle, Honesty for Ohio Education
Bills discussed:
* Good Bills!!
* HB 25 — Support for students in foster care
* HB 523 — “Future Educators Support Act”
* Funding threats
* HB 698 — SB1 Compliance Act
* HB 671 — Withhold funds from school districts that join the Vouchers Hurt Ohio lawsuit
* Curriculum related bills:
* HB 326 — Classic Learning Test)
* SB 113 / HB 155 — K-12 Diversity Ban
* SB 156 / HB 269 — “Success Sequence”
* SB 34 — Ten Commandments in public schools
* HB 485 — “Baby Olivia”
* HB 486 — Charlie Kirk
* Other Bills:
* HB 153 / SB 107 — Partisan school board races
* SB 127 — State can close schools
Take Action: Keep up with Honesty’s legislation tracker and sign up for updates.
Read more about the bills we’re tracking: OhioBills.WTF
Thank you for your patience as we transition to the new tracker. Email info@ohagainstextremism.org for inquiries and tips.
Rely on our tracker? Please consider supporting our work.
We don’t have any billionaire friends, and we don’t paywall our updates. We rely on the generous support of Ohioans like you to keep us going. Please consider becoming a monthly donor. Even $5/month can make a big difference.
Quick Statehouse Links
This Week’s Action
The Ohio Senate
The Ohio House
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