> 
> STATEHOUSE ACTIVITIES
> SB 110 HSTS Regulations
> 
> The House Environment & Brownfield Development committee passed SB 110
> out of committee yesterday by a vote of 9-2.  Included in the committee
> version was the prohibition against annexation for owners forced to tap
> into a sewer system due to a sewer line being within 300 feet of their
> property.
> 
> 
> 
> The bill then went to the full House for a vote later in the afternoon.
> Rep. Hagan (Youngstown) offered an amendment that would remove the
> annexation prohibition language that the OTA supported.  The amendment
> was accepted by a vote of 54-42.  The bill was then passed by the full
> House by a vote of 93-3.  To see how your House member voted on the
> amendment and the bill, please visit
> http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/JournalText128/HJ-05-27-10.pdf (Pages
> 27-29).
> 
> 
> 
> The bill now goes to the full Senate for concurrence on the changes.
> The Senate may concur with the changes, refuse to concur on the changes,
> thus forcing a conference committee or just sit on the bill.
> 
> 
> 
> At this point, we do not know the direction of the Senate but as we have
> for the last several years, we will continue to be a partner in the
> process with all interested parties for an equitable standard for all
> Ohioans.
> 
> 
> 
> Watch for a legislative alert next Tuesday with more information on this
> bill, as we will know on Tuesday morning what direction the Senate will
> head.
> 
> 
> 
> HB 464 / SB 232 ALTERNATIVE ENERGY TAXATION
> 
> Both of these bills were marked for a hearing in the House Ways and
> Means committee this week.  Senator Widener gave sponsor testimony on
> his bill and no other witnesses testified.  HB 464 was not called for a
> hearing, as the Committee was postponed until after session and
> ultimately cancelled.  Both of these bills are marked for hearings next
> week.
> 
> 
> 
> The OTA is still working with other interested parties on these
> measures.  We have submitted our concerns with and what we support in
> both bills to the Chair of the Ways & Means Committee and the Governor's
> office for consideration.
> 
> 
> 
> Again, watch for a legislative alert on Tuesday, as we will know
> (hopefully) what will be included in the bill the House will likely
> pass.
> 
> 
> 
> HB 471 TRANSFER OF DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS
> 
> This bill will permit townships, counties, and combinations of
> townships, counties, and municipal corporations to establish transfer of
> development rights programs.  The bill had sponsor testimony before the
> House Local Government & Public Administration Committee this week.
> 
> 
> 
> FUNDING FOR POLICE PROTECTION
> 
> Budget cuts across the state are impacting all local governments and
> services.  The one area that we hear about frequently here at the State
> Association is the lack of funding for sheriff road patrols.  Rep. Lundy
> (Lorain Co.) has asked the OTA to consider legislation that would help
> townships with respect to funding for police protection services.  The
> OTA is working with Rep. Lundy, who hopes to introduce a bill in the
> next few weeks.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> RECENTLY INTRODUCED
> 
> HB 531 GAME HUNTING (Williams, B.) To eliminate the prohibition against
> hunting or shooting game within one-half mile of a township park.
> 
> 
> 
> HB 532 ESTATE TAX EXEMPTION (Murray) To exclude from the estate tax land
> subject to an agricultural or conservation easement. Am. 5731.16,
> 5731.21, 5731.37, and 5731.38.
> 
> 
> 
> ETHICS COMMISSION OPINION
> The Ethics Commission adopted Advisory Opinion No. 2010-03, reminding
> all public officials and employees of nepotism restrictions in the
> Ethics Law applicable when public funds are expended for employment or
> service contracts.  (The opinion is available from the Commission and
> will be on its Web site - www.ethics.ohio.gov - next week.)
> 
> 
> 
> Ethics statutes prohibit public officials and employees from:
> 
> (a) Hiring or using their positions to secure employment for their
> family members;
> 
> (b) Recommending or nominating their family members for public jobs with
> their own, or any other, public agencies; or
> 
> (c) Giving or using their positions to secure, for family members,
> raises, promotions, job advancements, overtime pay or assignments,
> favorable performance evaluations, or any other things of value related
> to employment.
> 
> 
> 
> The Ethics Commission has noted that the purpose of these restrictions
> is to assure that the discretionary decision-making authority exercised
> by a public official is not impaired when the official is expending
> public resources for employment or service contracts.  The Commission's
> opinion gathers case law and other precedent regarding nepotism over the
> last thirty years, explains who is considered a "member of the public
> official's family," and gives examples of the nepotism restrictions.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Heidi M. Fought
> Director of Governmental Affairs
> Ohio Township Association
> 6500 Taylor Road, Suite A
> Blacklick, OH 43004
> (614) 863-0045
> (614) 863-9751 Fax
> 
> 
> NOTICE: This electronic mail transmission is for the use of the named
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> 
> 
> 
>