June Newsletter
Schmidt Introduces Legislation to Provide Ohioans Property Tax Relief
I recently provided sponsor testimony before the House Ways and Means Committee on House Bill 89, legislation to authorize a property tax freeze.
House Bill 89 will freeze property taxes at 2022 levels to give the Ohio General Assembly time to find more permanent solutions to property tax increases.
This bill will provide immediate relief to Ohio’s homeowners who have faced an unprecedented hike in property valuations. By considering this legislation, we are communicating to our constituents that we are taking their struggles seriously and actively working to create lasting change.
This legislation is a direct response to rising property taxes throughout Ohio. Schmidt’s home county, Clermont County, saw a 43% increase in property valuations in 2023.
This legislation awaits further consideration from the House Ways and Means Committee.
House Committee Begins Hearings on BEST Act
I recently provided sponsor testimony before the House Insurance Committee on the Breast Examination and Screening Transformation (BEST) Act, legislation to ensure that all Ohioans have access to the necessary screenings needed to detect breast cancer early. I'm sponsoring the legislation alongside State Representative Josh Williams.
House Bill 271 will achieve the following:
- Clarify the definitions of “supplemental screening” and “diagnostic screening” to ensure doctors and health plans correctly identify the type of screening, avoiding issues with payments;
- Expand coverage to include diagnostic screenings, encouraging Ohioans to prioritize these exams in order to find out early if cancer is present; and
- Ensure that there are no out-of-pocket costs for patients for these screenings, removing financial barriers for potentially life-saving exams.
Early detection is key in conquering cancer. It is time for the barriers to be removed and encourage, not discourage, women and men to get these screenings.
House Bill 271 awaits further consideration from the House Insurance Committee.
Schmidt Holds Press Conference on Ohio Medical Debt Fairness Act
I recently held a press conference for House Bill 257 - the Ohio Medical Debt Fairness Act - legislation to provide Ohioans relief from the devastating impact of medical debt. I'm sponsoring the legislation alongside State Representative Michele Grim.
Key provisions of House Bill 257 are as follows:
- Lowers the maximum interest rate for medical debt to 3% per year, protecting patients from excessive and predatory charges.
- Prohibits hospitals, medical providers, and third-party collectors from reporting medical debt to credit agencies, ensuring patients receive necessary care while protecting their financial futures.
- Prohibits wage garnishment for medical debt collections, keeping families from spiraling into deeper financial hardship.
This is a commonsense bill that will give Ohioans added safeguards so that they can continue to get well without fear of unexpected, excessive financial burden. This is not a partisan issue; this is a people issue.
THE HOUSE AT WORK
The Ohio House has been very busy. Committees have been meeting weekly and more legislation continues to be passed on the House floor. Here is a look at some of the highlights so far:
House Bill 28 – Eliminate Replacement Property Tax Levies
In a step towards fixing the property tax issues in Ohio, the House passed H.B. 28, 62-30. The bill now heads to the Senate for further consideration. This legislation eliminates the authority of political subdivisions to levy replacement property tax levies, beginning with elections held on or after October 1, 2025. Unlike a renewal levy which extends a levy at its effective millage (collecting the same amount of revenue), a replacement levy extends a fixed rate levy at its voted millage (collecting more revenue).
Senate Bill 1 – Advance Ohio Education Act
Ohio combats woke ideology in our colleges and universities by passing S.B. 1, 59-34, which was recently signed by the Governor. The bill does the following:
- Ensures uninterrupted education by preventing situations where students cannot graduate or otherwise progress with their studies due to faculty strikes or walkouts.
- Ensures that institutions of higher education remain relevant and connected to Ohio’s workforce needs by eliminating minimally used degree programs.
- Eliminates institutional discrimination and indoctrination through the elimination of DEI programs, trainings, and orientations.
- Ensures a base level of understanding with regards to American Civics and capitalism.
- Promotes equality and ensures that opinions in the minority are not silenced or marginalized without due discussion.
- Safeguards our institutions from interference and influence by the People’s Republic of China.
House Bill 54 – Ohio’s Transportation Budget
The House concurred with the Senate amendments to H.B. 54, which was recently signed by the Governor. The bill allocates funding for Ohio’s extensive transportation system, prioritizing efforts to keep Ohio moving forward. Sub. House Bill 54 is the primary mechanism to fund transportation infrastructure development and maintenance for FY 2026 and 2027. It invests more than $11.48 billion over the biennium into highway construction and maintenance and provides funding for safety upgrades on Ohio roadways. Sub. House Bill 54 includes provisions that aim to preserve Ohio’s vital infrastructure, promote economic development, and boost public safety.
The bill also increases funding for Transportation Improvement Districts (TIDs) to $9 million each fiscal year, promoting economic development through job creation and commits over $4.1 billion for maintenance operations on Ohio’s current highway system, including roadway replacement, culvert inspections, and bridge maintenance, preserving and improving the state’s transportation infrastructure for generations to come.
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