Five things to know for Thursday, Oct. 30

Yost joins group of AGs seeking clarification of hemp

Attorney General Dave Yost has joined a bipartisan coalition of 39 attorneys general that is urging federal lawmakers to clarify the federal definition of “hemp” during the fiscal 2026 appropriations process or during the Farm Bill reauthorization. Their goal is to stop the sale of what they say are unregulated — and intoxicating — THC products.

The letter comes as a Franklin County judge ruled that the sale of “intoxicating hemp” can continue until at least Dec. 2 amid a lawsuit businesses filed after Republican Gov. Mike DeWine’s executive order banning the sale of such products for 90 days. Earlier this month, the Ohio House passed a bill to add intoxicating hemp products to the state’s laws that regulate marijuana.

Ohio sees smallest increase in auto loan debt

A new analysis from personal finance site WalletHub found that Ohio had the smallest increase in auto loan debt. Nationally, Vermont saw the biggest increase, followed by Delaware and New Mexico.

According to the analysis, total auto loan debt stands at nearly $1.7 trillion. As of the second quarter, the average household owes roughly $13,800, which is a few hundred dollars below the record high.

Bill would send license expiration reminders earlier

The state House has passed House Bill 258, which would shift the timing of reminders sent to drivers about license expiration from “after expiration” to at least 14 days before expiration. They did not pass an amendment that would have allocated $100 million from Ohio’s rainy day fund to help food banks once SNAP funding lapses.

The measure gives license holders extra advance notice, potentially reducing the number of people driving on an expired license or missing renewal deadlines. Because the notification is purely a courtesy reminder and does not extend or renew the license, people must still act by the expiration date.

Taxpayers could soon designate tax refunds to Companion Animal Fund

The House has passed House Bill 148, which allows taxpayers filing Ohio income tax returns to designate part or all of their tax refund to the Companion Animal Fund via a check-off to support spay-and-neuter programs for low-income pet owners.

Bill would clarify laws conflicting with Ohio Supreme Court rules

The Ohio House has passed House Bill 260, legislation clarifying the law regarding rules adopted by the Ohio Supreme Court.

The measure, sponsored by state Reps. Mike Odioso, R-Green Twp., and Adam Mathews, R-Lebanon, updates portions of state law that overlap or conflict with the Supreme Court’s rules pursuant to its constitutional authority.