Groundbreaking legislation was recently introduced in the Ohio Legislature that would protect Ohio citizens from the threat of sexual extortion. Also known as Braden’s Law, Senate Bill 263, sponsored by State Senator Andrew...more
2023 was a big year for cannabis and Ohio continues to be center stage for cannabis as the state looks to shape the future of its adult-use recreational cannabis program. With Issue 2 passing in November, Ohio became the...more
2/29/2024
/ Cannabis Products ,
Cannabis-Related Businesses (CRBs) ,
Controlled Substances ,
Decriminalization of Marijuana ,
Dispensaries ,
Licensing Rules ,
Marijuana ,
Marijuana Cultivation ,
Marijuana Related Businesses ,
Recreational Use ,
State and Local Government
While the campaigns for U.S. President, U.S. Senate, U.S. House, Ohio Supreme Court, and to a lesser extent the Ohio General Assembly will dominate media attention, we still anticipate activity at the Statehouse....more
1/9/2024
/ Comment Period ,
Community Development ,
Congressional Committees ,
Executive Orders ,
Governor DeWine ,
Governor Vetoes ,
Grants ,
Legislative Agendas ,
State and Local Government ,
State Budgets ,
State Funding ,
Tax Reform ,
Transgender
On November 7, 2023, Ohio Voters approved a ballot initiative legalizing recreational marijuana throughout the state, marking Ohio as the 24th state to allow adult cannabis use for non-medical purposes.
The new law...more
For an “Off-Year” in Ohio’s election cycle, this November election day is shaping up to be a very busy one. While Issue 1 and Issue 2 made it the ballot in different ways, both could have a lasting impact on Ohioans of all...more
Governor Mike DeWine signed into law this week the state’s new two-year state spending plan totaling $86.1 billion. After settling on more than 900 matters of difference, the Ohio legislature passed Ohio’s new budget with...more
The Ohio House of Representatives this week overwhelmingly passed a bi-partisan version of the two-year state budget that features numerous changes from the one Governor DeWine introduced, most notably a $1 billion income tax...more
2023 is just getting started, and already there have been important developments in Ohio involving cannabis with the promise of much more to come. Secretary of State Frank LaRose got things started on January 3 when he...more
In his most recent annual State of the State address, Governor Mike DeWine focused on children and families by calling on the Legislature to pass tax breaks while increasing spending on economic development and social...more
What Didn't Happen -
The 134th General Assembly wrapped up its work last week putting the final touches on a marathon lame duck session. Benesch secured numerous big wins for our clients, including an amendment to the tax...more
Before concluding the work of the Legislature, the caucuses have selected their leadership teams. House Republicans have agreed on Rep. Derek Merrin (R-Monclova Twp.) to be speaker for the 135th General Assembly....more
If 2021 was the appetizer, expect 2022 to be the main course for cannabis laws in Ohio. Three separate efforts were launched in 2021 to expand upon Ohio’s existing medical marijuana program....more
1/4/2022
/ Cannabis Act ,
Citizen Initiative Campaigns ,
Congressional Investigations & Hearings ,
Controlled Substances Act ,
Decriminalization of Marijuana ,
Expungement ,
Legislative Agendas ,
Marijuana ,
Medical Marijuana ,
Pending Legislation ,
Recreational Use ,
State Legislatures
It has taken more than three years and hundreds of hours of debate, but Ohio has finally passed legislation to legalize sports betting. In 2018, the United States Supreme Court overturned the federal Professional and Amateur...more
Ohio House of Representative leadership announced recently that they plan to consider a capital budget bill in 2022 to include funding for community projects.
The capital budget provides appropriations for state agency...more
Ohio has released application materials and information related to the up to 73 additional provisional medical marijuana dispensary licenses the state plans to approve in the coming months. There are currently 57 dispensaries...more
H.R. 3684 of the 117th Congress passed the U.S. Senate on August 10 with a vote of 69-30. This bipartisan infrastructure legislation would make historic investments without increasing taxes, authorizing $550 billion in new...more
8/25/2021
/ Apprenticeships ,
Commercial Truck Drivers ,
Department of Transportation (DOT) ,
Diversity and Inclusion Standards (D&I) ,
Enforcement ,
Federal Budget ,
Federal Funding ,
FMCSA ,
Grants ,
Human Trafficking ,
Infrastructure ,
Motor Carriers ,
Pending Legislation ,
Safety Inspections ,
Surface Transportation ,
Trucking Industry
Legislation was introduced this week that, if passed, would create the Ohio Personal Privacy Act.
HB 376, initiated by Lt. Governor Jon Husted, was introduced this week by Representative Rick Carfagna (R- Westerville) and...more
Last week, Governor Mike DeWine signed the $74 billion state operating budget, which builds on the Governor’s vision for the future. The two-year spending bill (HB 110), includes nearly $162 billion in all funds...more
On May 6, 2021, Senate Bill 176 (SB 176) was introduced in the Ohio Senate by Senators Antani and Manning to legalize and regulate sports gaming. SB 176 is the result of eight hearings with an array of testimony from 50...more
Several bills have been sent to the Governor’s office this week as the Ohio General Assembly finalized its work for the year. Here is a snapshot of some of the highlights of the bills that have passed...more
A new law passed in Ohio that will create a “For-Profit Benefit Corporation” designation in Ohio.
Senate Bill 21 amends Ohio Corporation law, as contained in ORC §1701, providing for a new form of for-profit corporation, a...more
On November 11, 2020, Governor DeWine held a press conference to announce additional public health orders to enhance requirements for mask-wearing and to issue a warning about restaurants, bars and fitness centers.
DeWine...more
11/12/2020
/ Bars ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Governor DeWine ,
Holidays ,
Hospitality Industry ,
Masks ,
Public Health ,
Public Health Emergency ,
Public Schools ,
Restaurant Industry ,
Safety Precautions ,
Social Distancing ,
Workplace Safety
The Ohio General Assembly is expected to return after the election to work on priority issues through the end of the year, also known as “Lame Duck” session. This is always a time of fast-paced legislative activity....more
11/9/2020
/ Background Checks ,
Broadband ,
CARES Act ,
Gaming ,
Governor DeWine ,
Gun Laws ,
Lame Duck Session ,
Law Enforcement ,
Nuclear Power ,
State Budgets ,
State Legislatures ,
Surprise Medical Bills ,
Telehealth ,
Virtual Meetings
HB 197, which was passed by the Ohio House of Representatives back in October, 2019 and was designated as a bill to “to make technical and corrective changes to the laws governing taxation,” was selected by the Senate as the...more
Two identical bills (“Bills”), H.B. 495 and S.B. 254, were introduced in the past week by Representative Seitz and Senator Terhar that would require medical marijuana entities (cultivator, processors, dispensaries, and...more