The Ohio House of Representatives yesterday passed House Bill 481, legislation that makes changes to laws affecting Ohio’s funeral homes and funeral directors.

Among provisions included in the bill is establishing a new procedure to allow funeral directors and embalmers to place their licenses on inactive status. After being on inactive status, a funeral director or embalmer must pass an Ohio funeral laws exam before returning to the profession.

House Bill 481 also allows the State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors to issue courtesy card licenses to funeral directors in bordering states to conduct limited funeral related activities in Ohio. The adjoining state must have a similar law that grants Ohio funeral directors to conduct funeral related activities in that state.

Also under the bill, funeral homes can continue to operate until the State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors meets to review a new application when an existing funeral home is sold and the new owner files a new funeral home license application.

Finally, the bill authorizes funeral directors from other states to come to Ohio and assist Ohio funeral directors during a declared emergency.

The Ohio House unanimously concurred on amendments to HB 481 by the Ohio Senate, and the bill will now be sent to the governor for his signature.

Following the Ohio Senate’s concurrence on House Bill 543, State Representative Marlene Anielski (R-Independence) released the following statement:

“I want to applaud the Senate for passing the legislation that addresses a critically important issue that far too many families experience. Tragically, youth suicide affects communities and families far too often. I am proud to have sponsored a bill that strives to help Ohio’s children and families through free training in Ohio schools."

Designated the “Jason Flatt Act, Ohio, in honor of Joseph Anielski,” House Bill 543 requires public schools, as well as community (charter) schools and science, technology, engineering and math schools to train teachers and staff in areas regarding suicide awareness and prevention.

House Bill 543 will now be sent to the governor for his signature.

The Ohio House of Representatives today passed Senate Bill 37, which designates portions of state highways outside of municipal corporations in honor of each state highway patrol trooper who has been killed in the line of duty.

The bill designates nine memorial highways, as well as one additional highway. The designated memorial highways are as follows:

• “Branch Rickey Memorial Highway” on US Route 23 in Scioto County
• “Sfc. Charles L. Adkins Memorial Highway” on State Route 101 in Sandusky and Erie counties
• “Specialist Charles E. Odums II Memorial Highway” on US Route 250 through the municipal corporation of Sandusky
• “David A. Gibson Memorial Highway” on State Route 104 in Ross County
• “U.S. Army Specialist Allen Nolan Memorial Highway” on State Route 676 in Washington County
• “Marine Corporal Paul W. Zanowick II Memorial Highway” on State Route 725 in Montgomery County
• Pfc. Jeffrey L. Rice Memorial Highway” on State Route 55 in Miami County
• “Boone Coleman Memorial Highway” on State Route 52 in Scioto County
• “Bill Burgett Highway” on State Route 13 in Knox County
• “Cpl. Nicholas H. Olivas Memorial Highway” on State Route 128 in the municipal corporation of Hamilton

The House unanimously approved an amendment to the legislation to include a portion of highway in Cuyahoga County in honor of former Ohio Governor Richard Celeste.

Senate Bill 37 will now be sent to the Senate for concurrence.

Today the Ohio House of Representatives passed legislation that would establish the conditions necessary in order to operate certain specialized vehicles, including low-speed and under-speed vehicles, motor scooters, cab-enclosed motorcycles and mini-trucks.

Under Senate Bill 114, the operator of the vehicle generally must be using a registered vehicle and have a driver’s license. Whether or not the vehicle is allowed on the road largely depends on the specific type of vehicle and the speed limit of the street or highway. The bill takes local ordinances into consideration concerning under-speed and utility vehicles.

Also in the bill were provisions relating to window-tinting standards, penalties for the installation of nonconforming glass, temporary instruction permits of motor scooters and motorcycles, and the height of motorcycle handlebars.

The bill would allow for the handlebars of motorcycles to be any height so long as they do not rise higher than the shoulders of the operator—a provision originally included House Bill 316, which as sponsored by Representatives Cliff Rosenberger (R-Clarksville) and Al Landis (R-Dover). Current law prohibits the handlebars from being more than 15 inches higher than the operator’s seat.

I have been fortunate to serve parts of Clermont County in the Ohio House of Representatives for eight years now. The experience has been gratifying and humbling, to say the least. Beginning next year, I will start working in a different capacity—the Ohio Senate.

Before I begin my new venture, I want to thank all the people in the county who have reached out with comments, questions and concerns. Your participation is what makes our system of government work. Your letters, phone calls and face-to-face interactions with my office have been immensely helpful in knowing the needs and opinions of the 66th House District.

Sessions have now concluded for this year and also for the 129th General Assembly. I believe a lot of good work has been done—particularly over the past two years—in improving Ohio’s economy and getting people back to work. More than 100,000 jobs have been created in Ohio this year, largely because businesses have seen the competitive advantages to investing in our state. The unemployment rate in the state has also either decreased or stayed the same for 16 consecutive months, now standing at 6.9 percent. In January 2011, the unemployment rate was 9 percent.

Many challenges still exist, including some coming from Washington. Businesses must face the headwinds of the federal healthcare law, which will be fully implemented by the end of 2014. I know my colleagues in the House, and my new colleagues in the Senate, will continue to work hard to make it easier for businesses to hire new employees through competitive tax rates and regulations that are consistent and fair. With a national economy that is still struggling, the last thing our state or country needs is more government intrusion into the lives of entrepreneurs and innovators.

Once again, I’d like to thank all the people of the 66th House District for your support throughout the years. I am excited to serve the people of Clermont, Brown, Adams, Scioto and part of Lawrence counties in my new position as a state senator, and as always I look forward to hearing from you.

In the meantime, have a Merry Christmas and a safe and happy New Year!

The Ohio House of Representatives today passed Senate Bill 304, which designates May as “Better Hearing and Speech Month.”

The bill’s primary purpose is to increase public awareness of communication disorders and to promote treatment to improve the quality of life of individuals who experience difficulty speaking, hearing or understanding.

An estimated 42 million Americans today have some type of communication disorder, which, due to lost work productivity, special education and medical treatment, causes an economic impact of more than $1.45 billion each year in Ohio alone.

Senate Bill 304 will now be sent to Governor Kasich for his signature.

Today the Ohio House of Representatives concurred with the Ohio Senate amendments on House Bill 360, which revises the amount and methods of collections and remittance of the wireless 9-1-1 charge for prepaid wireless services.

House Bill 360, sponsored by Representative Cliff Rosenberger (R-Clarksville) creates a framework to collect a fair point of sale method for the collection of the prepaid wireless 9-1-1 fee, which will help customers have confidence in their wireless service and the fees associated with that service. Under current Ohio law, the E911 prepaid wireless 9-1-1 fee is authorized to be collected using a point of sale method, but the law falls short of actually establishing the method and has resulted in a confusing situation for consumers. The legislation changes the vehicle of collection by charging the prepaid customer directly, similar to monthly customers.

“I’m proud to have had an opportunity to advocate on behalf of the consumers in Ohio,” Rosenberger said. “What we have been able to accomplish with this bill not only improves consumer confidence in a previously murky charge, but with help from many of the key stakeholders, we’ve also been able to improve the administration of the fee, as well as provide for a clear direction for the implementation of Emergency 9-1-1 programs in the future.”

“The Wireless 9-1-1 Fees have played a large role in ensuring emergency services are accessible during the most important moments. These funds have played such an essential role in providing emergency services in my district and many rural areas like it, that we as a legislative body understood the importance of developing a viable plan for the future,” Rosenberger said.

The Senate amendments include reducing the charge for wireless 9-1-1 from $0.28 to $0.25, removing the sunset provision, and transferring 9-1-1 law from the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio to the Department of Public Safety and the Department of Taxation. The Statewide Emergency Services Internet Protocol Network Steering Committee would adopt industry standards and best practices for wireless 9-1-1 services.

The bill now awaits Governor Kasich’s signature and will be effective immediately with his signature.

Today the Ohio House of Representatives passed legislation to modernize the state’s laws dealing with Professional Employer Organizations (PEOs), which contract with small and medium-sized businesses to provide assistance with human resources, unemployment, payroll, health care and other administrative needs.

The legislation, Senate Bill 139, requires PEOs to submit audited financial statements that provide transparency into their operations and to maintain the working capital to protect client businesses from unexpected PEO failures. It also promotes competitiveness by clarifying that businesses using PEOs can receive the same economic development incentives as other businesses of their size.

“Professional Employers Organizations are very useful to many businesses, helping the businesses themselves to focus their time and effort into the core of what the business is there for, rather than some of the administrative tasks,” said Representative Richard Adams, chairman of the House Commerce and Labor Committee. “Senate Bill 139 makes important changes to the laws governing PEOs, and I’m confident that it is a step in the right direction for both employers and employees.”

There are currently 237 registered PEOs in the State of Ohio.

State Representative Cheryl Grossman (R-Grove City) has announced that the Ohio House of Representatives today concurred on Senate changes to Substitute House Bill 417, which requires health care entities to notify patients when their physician’s employment has been terminated by that health care entity.

Specifically, Sub. House Bill 417 will require health care facilities to give notice to patients in the event that a physician ceases practicing there. Additionally, the hospital or health care provider will be required to furnish the terminated physician’s name and possible contact information for him or her, the date on which the physician will no longer treat patients at the facility, and contact information for an alternative physician employed by the hospital or health care facility.

“In the past, there have been unfortunate situations where patients undergoing care have arrived at their doctor appointments to find a note at the office that their physician is no longer practicing at that location,” said Rep. Grossman. “This bill will require proper notification be given to patients so that they can contact their physician to continue their care if they so desire.”

Senate amendments to the bill include a provision to require that patents be notified of where their medical records can be obtained, as well as a provision to add federally qualified health centers.

Sub. House Bill 417 passed unanimously and will now be sent to Governor Kasich for his signature.

The Ohio House of Representatives today concurred on Senate amendments to legislation that repeals of two Ohio taxes on financial entities and replaces them with a new tax. Amended Substitute House Bill 510, which is sponsored by State Representative Ron Amstutz (R-Wooster), builds on state tax reforms begun in 2005.

According to Am. Sub. House Bill 510, beginning on January 1, 2014, the total equity capital of a financial institution or financial institution holding company will be taxed. The rate of the tax will be eight mills on the first $200 million of equity capital, four mills on equity capital between $200 million and $1.3 billion, and 2.5 mills on equity over $1.3 billion.

The legislation will also make it more difficult for owners of large, multistate financial institutions to avoid paying a fair share of Ohio’s taxes. Because it is often too easy to manipulate the net worth taxation approach in the corporate franchise tax, the new tax is based on the total base of equity capital that relates to activity in Ohio.

“This enactment is another step in strengthening Ohio’s business environment,” Rep. Amstutz said. “It improves Ohio taxes on our financial sector by repealing two taxes and replacing them with a new tax that will help assure compliance by large, multi-state banks at the same time that smaller financial institutions get a modest improvement in their tax burden.”

“I’m pleased that the affected parties worked well through our legislative process in concert with the Kasich administration to complete this set of changes,” he added. “I see the changes made by the Senate as further refining and improving what the House was able to do, and I thank them for including us in their deliberations to avoid the need for a committee on conference.”

Ohio’s financial institutions currently pay the corporate franchise tax, which is levied at 13 mills on the institution’s total net worth, with a series of deductions allowed. The new financial institutions tax will lower tax liability for many Ohio-based financial institutions. It has a target of revenue neutrality to current Ohio taxes, with two triggers that will raise or lower the tax rate if it strays too far from that target.

Am. Sub. House Bill 510 clarifies that, generally, financing entities that are not owned, operated or engaged in general services banking will be taxed under Ohio’s commercial activity tax, as are most businesses operating in Ohio’s markets.

In addition to several technical corrections, the Senate accepted amendments to phase in the financial institutions tax for Real Estate Investment Trusts over a five-year period; clarify that small dollar lenders (i.e. payday lenders) are to be taxed under the new tax; and allow commercial real estate brokers the ability to put a lien, of up to 90 days, on a property to collect commissions.

Am. Sub. House Bill 510 passed by a vote of 76-16 and will now be sent to Governor Kasich for his signature.

The Ohio House of Representatives today concurred on legislation that requires people who provide nuisance wild animal control to obtain a license.

Specifically, House Bill 420 states that anyone who provides removal or control services for hire must acquire certification after completing an instruction course. Furthermore, any individual who uses pesticide to remove or control a nuisance wild animal must first be certified under the Pesticides Law.

The bill defines a nuisance wild animal as an animal that interferes with the use or enjoyment of property, causes a threat to public safety, or may cause damage or harm to a person or structure.

Having passed both the House and Senate, the bill will now be sent to Governor Kasich for his signature.

I’m sure everyone can recall a time when you were just about to eat dinner or were just settling down to watch TV or read a book, and the phone rang. Usually it is not a big deal if it is a friend or neighbor—someone you know—who perhaps has a quick question to ask. But if instead the call is an automated voice or a telemarketer trying to sell you something, it can be a major annoyance.

To avoid being disturbed by such phone calls, many Ohioans have opted to add their names to a “Do Not Call” registry. In fact, the number of Ohioans on this list is at its highest point ever, according to Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine. Unfortunately, some companies and telemarketers violate these requests and dial those phone numbers anyway. I have worked with the attorney general’s office to help bring this issue to the public’s attention.

Last month, Mr. DeWine reminded Ohioans to sign up for the Do Not Call Registry and to report violations to his office. Along with the uptick in Ohioans requesting to be left alone, DeWine indicated that “scam calls that violate do-not-call regulations also have increased, becoming a major problem and annoyance.”

He recommends Ohioans do not respond to these calls and that they hang up and instead report the calls to authorities. As many have experienced, simply signing up for the registry does not guarantee that people will not receive robocalls from some companies. That is why it is important that citizens report such actions when they occur.

There are some useful ways to avoid the hassle of robocalls. For instance, do not respond to calls asking you to press a number for a list of options. Additionally, do not trust that caller ID is always telling the truth because many scam artists utilize technology that allows them to give the appearance of a call coming from a nearby location, such as a bank.

I wanted to pass along this information in case anyone in the district did not see the attorney general’s statement. I encourage you to join the effort to punish people who abuse our privacy and, in some instances, wish to do us harm.

To sign up for the Do Not Call Registry, please visit www.DoNotCall.gov or call (888) 382-1222. Finally, when reporting calls, try to provide as much information as possible, for it will assist the attorney general’s office to track down the caller. Try to keep track of the phone number, time and date of the call and the content of the call.

One of the joys of being a state legislator is that, as time progresses, you see the effects of legislation that you have voted in favor of play out in the everyday lives of Ohioans. The reason that the House has 17 different standing committees is because there are such a broad range of issues that we must consider addressing during each two-year General Assembly. These committees allow a select group to look in-depth at each issue.

During the 129th General Assembly, I have been privileged to serve on the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, Education Committee, and the Transportation, Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee. I’m proud of how my committees have operated and all of the work we have been able to get done since taking office in January 2011.

One of the bills recently passed by the House that I followed in committee was House Bill 458. This bill has an important role in ensuring safety and saving money, because it updates the laws Ohio has to protect underground utilities.

I’m sure that many of you are aware of the Call-Before-You-Dig Law. With so many lines, tubes, and wires buried beneath our feet to provide important services such as gas and electricity, this law helps to make sure nothing goes awry. Through the new legislation, a consumer or excavator can call 8-1-1 to have all the utilities at an excavation site marked within 48 hours—all through a more seamless one-call system.

This legislation is useful in making sure that conflicts between existing underground utilities and a proposed excavation site are taken care of before a problem occurs. It is always smart to prepare for problems ahead of time, and we also did this through another bill recently passed by the House.

House Bill 278 increases the minimum amounts required for valid proof of financial responsibility and makes changes to the law dealing with auto insurance policies. The minimum requirements have not been updated since 1969, and raising the coverage limits will better protect responsible drivers in contemporary times. I believe that this legislation adequately updates our laws concerning the industry, and I’m glad that the House finally took action and did something about it.

Being a driver and having a car comes with important responsibilities this day and age in order for our citizens to be safe—both physically and financially. As legislation dealing with this and other issues comes across the desks of Ohio legislators, I believe it is important to seek the viewpoints and advice of those we are representing.

My hope is that throughout my time as your state representative, the changes we have made at the Statehouse have made a positive impact on the lives of you and your family. I’m continually honored to be serving Ashtabula and northern Trumbull counties.

Even though preparing large meals and purchasing Christmas gifts add to our stress level this time of the year, I’m excited, as are so many, that the Christmas season is here and people still view this season as a time of celebration and spending time with family.

Having already attended several Christmas parades this year, I can say with certainty that the residents in our area continue to go out of their way to smile a bit more and extend their kindness as the day we celebrate Christ’s birth approaches.

As we prepare for Christmas day, we recognize that regardless of the conflicts in our world, we are all striving to live our lives in peace with one another. To me, that includes the acceptance of those who make different choices than me, including those with different cultural and religious backgrounds than I have.

‘Tis the season for political correctness, though. Every year, it seems there are a few ACLU-types out there who stir up conflict because they do not celebrate Christmas or honor the reasoning behind it. They would rather that we do not have community nativity scenes and that we stick to words such as “Happy Holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas!”

This has got to stop. We all recognize that we live in a very diverse world in which people make their own life choices according to how they see fit. This doesn’t mean that we restrict others from their customs. It means that we all have something to bring to the table, and Christmas is part of that for the vast majority of Americans.

As we continue through the month of December, I encourage you to live out your faith, beliefs, and traditions—whatever they may be—without apology. Respect others, learn about one another’s traditions, and teach others about yours. Spend time with your family and friends, and enjoy this joyous time of year. The birth of Christ is reason to celebrate!

As for myself and my family, we wish all of you a very “Merry Christmas!”

The Ohio House of Representatives recently announced the passage of House Bill 461, legislation that establishes a voluntary collaborative law process to aid in the resolution of family law disputes without court intervention.

H.B. 461 allows for the commencement of a collaborative family law process by the signing of a participation agreement, signed by both parties and their attorneys, and sets forth the formal requirements of a participation agreement. Upon signing a participation agreement, this legislation requires full disclosure of information by both parties to a collaborative family law process, provides for confidentiality of collaborative family law communications, and creates a testimonial privilege for collaborative family law communications.

While this legislation allows for married couples to work out an agreement without facing a trial court, should the couples fail to reach an agreement, either party may choose to file for divorce/separation so long as the other party is notified. However, H.B. 461 limits the right of an attorney who is representing an individual in a collaborative law process to represent them again in a further proceeding related to the collaborative family law matter.

House Bill 461 also requests the Ohio Supreme Court establish rules of conduct for collaborative family lawyers.

H.B. 461 passed in the House by a vote of 87-2.