Five things to know for Monday, Dec. 22

Williams: It’s time to consider House Bill 26

A state lawmaker is again calling on legislators to consider House Bill 26 after Columbus and Franklin County officials effectively said their jurisdictions wouldn’t cooperate with federal immigration laws.

“The mayor of Ohio’s capital city is more concerned with protecting illegal aliens than working with immigration enforcement to keep Columbus safe,” state Rep. Josh Williams, R-Sylvania Twp., said in a post to X. “What a pathetic excuse for a ‘leader.’ I’ve authored a bill (HB26) in the legislature to completely defund sanctuary cities and it’s time to get it on the floor. Make these lawless mayors choose between their precious illegal aliens or keeping their state funding.”

The mayor of Ohio's capital city is more concerned with protecting illegal aliens than working with immigration enforcement to keep Columbus safe.

What a pathetic excuse for a "leader."

I've authored a bill (HB26) in the legislature to completely defund sanctuary cities and… https://t.co/3NifrwW06j

— Rep. Josh Williams (@JoshWilliamsOH) December 21, 2025

DeWine signs measure to create Escaped Convict Alert Program. Earlier this month, Gov. Mike DeWine signed House Bill 23, the Escaped Convict Alert Program. The measure creates a new alert system that notifies residents about a nearby escaped convict.

Under the measure, introduced by Williams and state Rep. Bill Roemer, R-Richfield, local authorities would activate the ECAP once they learn about an escape.

DeWine signs bill targeting vicious dog owners. DeWine also signed House Bill 247, Avery’s Law, which would establish new requirements on vicious dog owners to prevent dog attacks in Ohio.

“The legislation updates Ohio’s outdated and inadequate dangerous/viscous dog laws,” state Rep. Kevin Miller, R-Newark, who sponsored the bill, said in a release. “It gives our dog warden’s the tools needed to keep our communities safe and holds irresponsible dog owned accountable when they fail to contain these dangerous animals.”

Bill would expand pharmacists’ power to prescribe. State Reps. Tim Barhorst, R-Fort Loramie, and Jennifer Gross, R-West Chester, introduced House Bill 629, the Pharmacist Prescribing Authority Act, which would let pharmacists prescribe medications for some minor conditions.

“Rural Ohioans shouldn’t have to wait to access care,” Gross said in a release. “This bill allows pharmacists to step in to test and treat certain conditions, giving patients access to the care they need.”

Odioso praises plan to maintain plant operations. State Rep. Mike Odioso, R-Green Twp., lauded Vistra’s plans to keep operating the Miami Fort Power Plant beyond 2027 and convert it to natural gas-fueled.

Vistra leaders discussed the plans at a recent event celebrating 100 years of power generation at the Miami Fort site. The plant was scheduled to shut down by the end of 2027.