News

House Bill 62 – Transportation Budget

In early April, Governor Mike DeWine signed House Bill 62, a transportation budget bill that will raise Ohio’s gas and diesel tax, currently at 28 cents a gallon, to 38.5 cents for gas and 47 cents for diesel. Additionally, front license plates will no longer be required by July 1, 2020. The budget goes into effect in July 2019.

Senate Bill 57 – Hemp

This bill, co-sponsored by Sen. Brian Hill (R-Zanesville) and Sen. Stephen Huffman (R-Tipp City), would decriminalize hemp and hemp products by excluding them from the definition of marijuana that is used to enforce controlled substance laws. At the time of publication, this bill has passed in the Senate and is being reviewed by the House Ag Committee.

Senate Bill 2 – Watershed Programs

Co-sponsored by Sen. Bob Peterson (R-Washington Court House) and Sen. Matt Dolan (R-Chagrin Falls), SB 2 would create a statewide watershed planning structure for watershed programs to be implemented by local soil and water conservation districts. The bill is being reviewed by the Senate Ag Committee at publication time.

H2Ohio Fund

As part of his proposed biennial budget, Gov. DeWine outlined his H2Ohio water quality initiative. His proposal would create a special fund within the budget that would be used to protect Ohio’s water quality over 10 years and could amount to approximately $900 million. Money would be used for: } Prevention and land-based management programs, such as funding efforts to minimize the introduction of nutrients and other runoff into Ohio waterways, additional staffing at soil and water conservation districts, and more aggressive action to address failing septic systems and other water treatment needs across Ohio. } Water-based restoration programs, such as the creation of more wetlands in targeted areas to naturally filter out nutrients and sediment and utilizing emerging technologies to minimize water quality problems and treat polluted water. } Science, research, and measurement, such as supporting ongoing research and data collection to advise on metrics and measurable goals, and to stay updated on and utilize new prevention and treatment technologies.