A New General Assembly Begins

As we begin the 136th General Assembly, I am honored to continue serving the people of Ohio’s 44th House District following my re-election. This new session presents an opportunity to enact meaningful legislation that will positively impact our state and our constituents.

I am actively working on several pieces of legislation and Budget amendments, including reintroductions of key bills such as the Repeat Firearm Offender Act and the Human Trafficking Prevention Act. Additionally, I'm collaborating with my colleagues on Ohio’s biennium Operating Budget to ensure our state agencies receive the necessary funding to serve Ohioans effectively.

In this General Assembly, I am privileged to serve as Majority Whip, assisting party leadership in managing legislative priorities on the House floor and maintaining communication among members. I will also be serving on the House Energy, Finance, Judiciary, and Workforce & Higher Education Committees, working to advance policies that strengthen our economy, workforce, and judicial system.

If I can be of any assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office at 614.466.1418 or rep44@ohiohouse.gov. I look forward to continuing to serve you.

Introduced Legislation:
Protecting Ohio Communities Act

In the final days of the 135th General Assembly, I introduced the Protecting Ohio Communities Act to require collaboration between Ohio law enforcement agencies, local governments, and federal officials in enforcing federal immigration policies, thereby preventing the establishment of “sanctuary cities.” This legislation proposes that local governments refusing to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement would face a 10% reduction in state funding. Although the bill did not advance previously, I have reintroduced it in the current General Assembly with the endorsement of Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost. 

“I have proposed to the legislature that we pass a law in Ohio to make it clear that local governments do not have the opportunity to do a DIY immigration policy and to obstruct federal enforcement of federal law,” Yost said. “It would be routine for the state of Ohio to cooperate with the federal government. We do so in many areas, from counterfeiting to money laundering to human trafficking.”

This legislation will ensure Ohio’s state resources go to Ohioans by assuring that sanctuary cities are defunded.

Repeat Offender Act

I also introduced legislation to increase the penalty against those that illegally possess a firearm without changing any gun laws that would affect law-abiding gun owners. This legislation, the Repeat Firearms Offender’s Act, will generally increase penalties for violent offenders in possession of a firearm while they are under disability for previous violent felony convictions. As a staunch second amendment supporter, I will continue to fight for Ohioans' right to legal gun ownership. Unfortunately, there are criminals that don’t care about the law and continue to carry out acts of gun violence even when they are not legally allowed to possess such weapons. These individuals must be stopped, and this is why I have introduced this legislation to increase their time behind bars. This will be done by creating a new five-year weapons enhancement penalty to be added to the potential 8-year sentence for the originally charged second degree felony.

Human Trafficking Prevention Act

Addressing the alarming prevalence of human trafficking in Ohio is a top priority. To combat this issue, I have reintroduced the Human Trafficking Prevention Act in the 136th General Assembly. This legislation proposes increasing penalties for traffickers and expanding the definition of human trafficking. Specifically, it seeks to elevate penalties for offenses involving minors or individuals with developmental disabilities, as well as for crimes such as kidnapping and abduction.  

Under the proposed act, penalties that currently apply when victims are 13 years old or younger would be extended to include all individuals under 18. For adult victims, the legislation proposes increasing the prison term to a minimum of fifteen years and a maximum of life imprisonment. If the victim is a minor, the proposed prison term would range from a minimum of twenty-five years to life imprisonment.

By implementing these measures, we aim to deter traffickers and provide justice for victims, thereby enhancing the safety and well-being of our communities.