Five things to know for Wednesday, Oct. 22

Bill would bar sale of delinquent property tax certificates

Proposed legislation would ban the sale of delinquent property tax certificates starting in January 2027. House Bill 493 would eliminate a current provision in state law allowing the county treasurer to sell a delinquent property’s tax certificate if a homeowner does not pay their property taxes on time.

“No one should profit off the foreclosure of a home. No one,” state Rep. David Thomas, R-Jefferson, said in a release. Ohio’s “property tax system is in crisis, tax delinquencies are through the roof, and those falling victim to these profit schemes are growing.”

Bill would let counties determine sales for property revaluations

Proposed legislation would give county auditors the authority to determine which real estate sales are valid for use in property revaluations and updates. House Bill 124 intends to let local expertise determine accurate property values while preserving the Department of Taxation’s oversight.

Thomas said the bill’s goal “is not to alter the relationship between current leadership in the department and counties.” Rather, it is to “set a strong precedent for future years over who should have the final authority to determine values and valid sales.”

State gives money to help start-ups

The Ohio Third Frontier Commission doled out $2 million to help mainly private start-up companies research and commercialize transformational early-stage technologies supported by research institutes across the state, including in the advanced materials and artificial intelligence fields.

Ten organizations will receive grant funding through the Technology Validation and Start-up Fund Program. The program was designed to enable companies to raise money and take licensed technology to the marketplace faster.

Bill would make it harder for joint venture title insurance companies

State lawmakers could consider legislation that would make it harder for joint venture title insurance companies to remain a viable business. House Bill 230 would revert a budget change lawmakers made during the last session to facilitate restructuring joint venture title agencies, enabling them to provide faster and more effective service for their patrons.

Bill would eliminate hybrid vehicles’ additional registration fee

Proposed legislation would eliminate an extra registration fee for hybrid vehicles. House Bill 389 ostensibly would address the worries of some that the fee is “a financial disincentive” for drivers who want such vehicles.