On February 7, 2022, the Ohio Supreme Court invalidated the state House and Senate district boundaries that were recently adopted by the Ohio Redistricting Commission. The majority, in a per curiam decision, ruled that the...more
While most were watching the Bengals defeat the Titans in the NFL playoffs on January 22, 2022, the Ohio Redistricting Commission adopted new state House and Senate district boundaries. The commission faced a midnight...more
On January 14, 2022, the Ohio Supreme Court invalidated the state’s newly redrawn congressional districts. In a 4-3 vote, mirroring the earlier decision invalidating the State House and Senate Districts, Justice Michael...more
On January 12, 2022, the Ohio Supreme Court, by a vote of 4-3, found the newly drawn state House and Senate district maps did not comply with Ohio’s Constitution, specifically Article XI, Section 6, which states that no plan...more
In the second half of 2021, the 134th Ohio General Assembly focused on the state legislative and congressional redistricting process and finishing work on a wide variety of legislation dealing with topics such as sports...more
1/6/2022
/ Ballot Measures ,
Cannabis Products ,
Census ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Criminal Justice Reform ,
Digital Communications ,
Energy Efficiency ,
Energy Sector ,
General Assembly ,
Governor DeWine ,
Insurance Industry ,
Judicial Election ,
Legislative Agendas ,
Medical Marijuana ,
Personal Data ,
Primary Elections ,
Redistricting ,
State Budgets ,
State Elections ,
State Legislatures ,
State Privacy Laws ,
Telehealth ,
Utilities Sector ,
Vaccinations
Election day 2021 featured two special congressional elections, as well as mayoral races in several large cities, including Cincinnati, Cleveland, Dayton and Toledo. City councils, judicial seats and ballot issues were also...more
The Ohio General Assembly will soon begin work on the state’s capital budget, which is typically passed in every even-numbered year. Expect the legislative process to begin on the capital bill during early winter and finish...more
On September 14, 2021, the Ohio Supreme Court found that the Trumbull County Board of Elections erred in rejecting a part-petition submitted by Mark Ferrara to appear on the ballot as a candidate for township trustee. ...more
Federal vaccine mandate for private employers -
United States President Joe Biden announced a COVID-19 vaccine requirement applicable to private sector employers who employ 100 or more employees on September 9, 2021. The...more
9/15/2021
/ Biden Administration ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) ,
Employer Mandates ,
Executive Orders ,
Local Health Departments (LHDs) ,
Local Ordinance ,
Masks ,
OSHA ,
Private Sector ,
Temporary Regulations ,
Vaccinations ,
Virus Testing ,
Workplace Safety
Ohioans in the 11th and 15th congressional districts participated in special primary elections for two congressional vacancies on Tuesday, August 3, 2021.
In the 15th congressional district, which was vacated by...more
The Ohio General Assembly recently completed an exhaustive and comprehensive first half of 2021. The legislature tackled the state’s two-year operating budget, COVID-19 relief funding, residential broadband expansion, reforms...more
7/15/2021
/ Agricultural Sector ,
American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 ,
Appropriation ,
Broadband ,
Economic Development ,
Economic Downturn ,
Energy Sector ,
General Assembly ,
Governor DeWine ,
Health Care Providers ,
Pending Legislation ,
Proposed Legislation ,
Public Schools ,
State Budgets ,
State Funding ,
Tax Cuts ,
Tax Revenues
Governor Mike DeWine signed Ohio House Bill (H.B.) 2 into law on Monday, May 17, 2021. H.B. 2 was drafted similarly to H.B. 13 from the last general assembly. H.B. 2 creates the Ohio Residential Broadband Expansion Grant...more
On May 12, 2021, Governor Mike DeWine addressed Ohioans regarding Ohio’s COVID-19 health orders, stating that with the vaccine as a weapon to combat COVID-19, he is confident that it is time to rescind Ohio’s COVID-19 health...more
Overview -
The year 2020 began with the optimism of advancing numerous pieces of legislation and promises of strong bipartisan cooperation, but activity suddenly halted in March with the onset of shutdowns due to the...more
1/20/2021
/ Corruption ,
Criminal Justice Reform ,
Critical Infrastructure Sectors ,
First Responders ,
Lame Duck Session ,
Legislative Agendas ,
PTSD ,
Reinsurance ,
Wastewater ,
Water Quality ,
Water Supplies
On November 19, 2020, the US House Committee on Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing, Community Development and Insurance held the virtual hearing, “Ensuring against a Pandemic: Challenges & Solutions for Policyholders...more
On November 17, 2020, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced that the administration is issuing a statewide curfew that takes effect on Thursday, November 19, 2020. Under the curfew, individuals are to be at home from 10 p.m....more
On Tuesday, November 3, 2020, Ohioans, like the rest of the country, cast ballots in the 2020 general election. Many counties in Ohio and around the country reported record-breaking early voter turnout. Approximately 3.4...more
On July 23, 2020, Governor DeWine addressed the arrest of Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder, the movement to repeal H.B. 6 (the legislation regarding Ohio’s two nuclear power plants at the heart of the allegations against...more
On July 22, 2020, Governor DeWine announced a statewide facial covering requirement and a new travel advisory for states with a high rate of infection of COVID-19. ...more
Instead of his traditional press conference, Governor DeWine addressed Ohioans on Wednesday evening, July 15, 2020. He made an emotional appeal to all citizens, imploring them to engage in safe and smart behaviors, such as...more
At Governor DeWine’s July 9, 2020, press conference, he updated the state’s most recent COVID-19 reporting numbers and county alert levels, offered additional guidance for higher education, announced the latest data from the...more
7/13/2020
/ Colleges ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Educational Institutions ,
Homeless Issues ,
Personal Protective Equipment ,
Public Health ,
Re-Opening Guidelines ,
Safety Standards ,
State and Local Government ,
Students ,
Universities
At his July 7, 2020, press conference, Governor DeWine announced that the administration is taking additional steps to curb the recent uptick in COVID-19 cases. Utilizing the public health advisory alert system announced the...more
The Bricker & Eckler government relations team has compiled a comprehensive review of Governor DeWine’s latest announcements, including the surprise resignation of Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Amy Acton, General...more
6/16/2020
/ Administrative Appointments ,
Best Practices ,
CARES Act ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Event Cancellation ,
First Amendment ,
General Assembly ,
Legislative Agendas ,
Re-Opening Guidelines ,
Religious Institutions ,
Restaurant Industry ,
State and Local Government ,
State Budgets ,
Statute of Limitations ,
Virus Testing
In 2014, the State of Ohio had the foresight to pass a captive insurance bill (H.B. 117). While captive insurance companies were allowed to operate in Ohio, captive domestics were prohibited in the Buckeye State. At the time,...more
On May 20, 2020, Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Amy Acton issued a revised Director’s Order that rescinded or amended parts of the “Stay Safe Ohio Order” that has been in effect since April 30. Dr. Acton also signed...more