Fellow Ohioans,
It continues to be an honor to serve as your State Representative for Summit County. This month, I’ve had the opportunity to engage with several community partners, visit with students and educators, meet with local businesses, and participate in efforts to strengthen both civic education and public infrastructure. These experiences reinforce why it’s so important we continue working together to move Ohio forward.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office. We are here to serve you.
Sincerely,
Bill Roemer
State Representative
District 31
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House Bill 23 - Create the Escaped Convict Alert Program
The Ohio House unanimously concurred on House Bill 23 - legislation that would create the Escaped Convict Alert Program (ECAP).
The ECAP would be used to alert the public to an incarcerated felon that has escaped from a jail, workhouse or correctional institution. Local law enforcement will be the controlling agency that would activate the ECAP once they are informed of the escape.
House Bill 23 now heads to the Governor for his signature.
House Concurrent Resolution 22 Passed Ohio Senate Education Committee
H.C.R. 22 - legislation encouraging students in grades one through twelve to read the Declaration of Independence in the classroom during the 2025–2026 school year in recognition of its 250th anniversary - passed 5-1 out of the Senate Education Committee.
House Concurrent Resolution 22 does not impose a mandate on schools. Rather, it encourages them to provide students with opportunities to read and study the document that remains foundational to the United States’ constitutional republic, ensuring the next generation of Ohioans understands the nation’s fundamental principles.
The 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence takes places on July 4, 2026.
H.C.R 22 awaits a vote from the Ohio Senate floor.
House Bill 503 - Municipal Income Tax Reciprocity Credit
As Chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, I'm pleased to provide an update on House Bill 503 - legislation that would require voter approval any time a city or village changes, modifies or repeals its municipal income-tax “reciprocity credit” (the credit you get for taxes paid where you work), and would let voters initiate new credits or changes via petition.
This bill had its second hearing in committee, including proponent testimony from The Ohio Society of CPAs, Ohio Taxpayer Protection Coalition, Ohio Chamber of Commerce, NFIB and AFP.
Property Tax Reform in Ohio
I'm pleased to provide a few updates on the work we have been doing in the House to help lower Ohioans' property taxes.
Since June, we have passed several pieces of legislation to help Ohioans receive much needed property tax relief. Those bills include the following:
HOUSE BILL 186:
- House Bill 186 saves Ohio property owners nearly $1.7 billion over the next three years by establishing a new Inflation Cap Credit that prevents increases in school district taxes from exceeding the rate of inflation. The initiative also includes an appropriation that holds Ohio school districts harmless for actual losses over this appraisal period compared to current collections to help schools that are not up for reappraisal or reevaluation this year.
HOUSE BILL 335:
- House Bill 335 similarly caps increases in inside millage collections to the rate of inflation. The bill requires county budget commissions to adjust the rate of each inside millage levy so that it does not grow by more than the sum of the three previous years of inflation. This happens during the county’s sexennial reappraisal or triennial update. The net effect of this provision totals between $621 million and $763 million in property tax relief over the next three years.
HOUSE BILL 129:
- Implements a check on tax hikes by counting emergency, substitute, incremental growth, conversion levies and the property tax portion of combined levies toward the 20-mill floor – closing loopholes & slowing tax spikes.
- Ultimately lifts 237 districts off the 20-mill floor, eliminating automatic property tax increases.
HOUSE BILL 309:
- Slashes unnecessary collections by expanding the County Budget Commission’s authority to modify levies and trim unnecessarily high millage rates, shielding Ohioans from overly excessive tax bills.
Our work is not done, and we will continue to fight to 'Stop the Spikes!' All four of these bills await the Governor's signature.
Tour of Secretary of State LaRose’s Office on Election Night
I had the honor of touring the Secretary of State's office during the most recent election. It was so neat to see the process first hand and how Secretary LaRose keeps Ohio's elections secure and efficient.
Ohio Chamber of Commerce Roundtable Discussion
 I was invited to speak at the Ohio Chamber of Commerce to speak about Ohio's current business climate and tax policies. I provided an updated on all the policies we've developed to help businesses around the state and to lower taxes.
Barberton Government Students Visit Ohio Statehouse
 A group of 11th grade government students from Barberton High School in my district visited the Ohio Statehouse recently. They took a tour of the Statehouse, went into the House Chamber, and I wrote them all a letter.
Tour of Akron Police Training Facility
 I had the opportunity to take an outstanding tour of the Akron Police training facility along with Senator Roegner and I was happy to learn about the coordination between local, state and federal agencies in controlling crime here in Summit County.
Thank you for your continued trust and support as we work to strengthen our communities, support our students, and honor the values that have shaped our state and nation. If you ever need assistance with a state issue or have feedback on legislative matters, please reach out to my office.
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