Five things to know for Thursday, Oct. 23

Senate passes education measure

The Ohio Senate passed Senate Bill 156, which would require the Department of Education and Workforce to develop a curriculum focusing on the success sequence, a three-pronged framework for youth and young adults that reduces the chance of poverty in adulthood.

“Promoting the [success] sequence in schools gives Ohio’s youngest citizens direction to make the best next steps for their future,” state Sen. Al Cutrona, R-Canfield, said in a release. “Providing students with the tools to steer them away from poverty sets Ohio’s youth on a path to a brighter tomorrow. This bill gives our state an excellent opportunity to move a generation forward.”

Bill: Public utilities could not recover political expenses from customers

Proposed legislation, House Bill 467, would ban public utilities from recovering political expenses from their customers.

“Ohioans pay their utility bills to keep the lights on, not to fund corporate lobbying, trade associations, or political campaigns,” state Rep. Tristan Rader, D-Lakewood, said in prepared sponsor testimony. “Ohio law currently does not contain an explicit, blanket ban on recovering political or lobbying expenditure through rates. PUCO can disallow such costs in a rate case, but enforcement is case-by-case, not systemic.”

Bill would bar firearm possession by domestic violence convicts

The Senate Judiciary Committee could soon consider Senate Bill 98, a measure that would bar anyone convicted of first-degree misdemeanors for domestic violence from possessing a firearm.

“Domestic violence remains one of the most devastating issues facing Ohio families,” state Sen. Casey Weinstein, D-Hudson, said in a release. “A single act of violence can upend an entire household, leaving lasting trauma for survivors and their children. Senate Bill 98 is a commonsense measure to save lives, protect families, and support the officers who serve our communities.”

Bill would update state’s oil and gas laws

Proposed legislation would “update Ohio’s oil and gas laws and regulations to account for the new oil and gas production coming from the Utica shale Formation,” state Sen. Al Landis, R-Dover, said in prepared sponsor testimony. The measure has drawn support from oil and gas groups.

Senate Bill 219 “makes two changes impacting the state’s strong and well-organized orphan well plugging program.” It also “streamlines the notice provision for the Landowner Pass Through Plugging program.”

State awards money for human trafficking victims

The Office of Criminal Justice Services has announced more than $2 million in funding for the Direct Services for Victims of Human Trafficking Grant Program. The money will go to 33 nonprofit organizations in 16 counties.

Several additional nonprofits will help human trafficking survivors across the state.