Ibogaine Study Committee
 As Chair of the Ibogaine Study Committee, I'm pleased to share that we held our first meeting in mid-December.
The State Operating Budget for fiscal years 2026-27 included a provision to establish the committee, which is tasked with evaluating the use of ibogaine for treating individuals with substance use disorders and veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and mild traumatic brain injuries.
Ibogaine is a plant-based treatment derived from the African iboga tree.
We need to continue to provide innovative solutions to the drug epidemic that has plagued our communities for far too long.I look forward to collaborating with members of the committee as we dive into this issue and evaluate different avenues to recovery.
Sponsor Testimony on House Bill 511
In late 2025, I provided sponsor testimony for House Bill 511, legislation that will provide $10 million to continue the Campus Student Safety Grant Program, established during the previous General Assembly under the CAMPUS Act (H.B. 606). The program, administered by the Ohio Department of Higher Education, provides resources to enhance security measures on college campuses and increase student safety.
House Bill 96, the State Operating Budget for fiscal years 2026-27, also provides an additional $2 million over to biennium to support the program.
Across the country, we’ve seen a rise in hate-fueled incidents, violent threats, and politically charged unrest. No student should ever have to worry about their safety just to get an education in Ohio. Our job is to stay ahead of the problem, not look back after a tragedy and ask what more we could have done.
House Bill 511 awaits further consideration from the House Workforce and Higher Education Committee.
Sponsor and Proponent Testimony on HB 540
 I provided sponsor testimony in the House Ways and Means Committee on House Bill 540 - legislation that would require payments in lieu of taxes from certain conservation organizations.
House Bill 540 will require conservation organizations that own over 15,000 acres in a single county to pay back 2.5 percent of unimproved land value to local governments. This bill will align with standards under which the Ohio Department of Natural Resources operates with state parks.
The bill ensures that when nonprofits hold vast amounts of land, they do their part to sustain the very communities that surround and support them. This is commonsense legislation that reconciles outdated policy. A special thank you to Commissioner Hayslip and Trustee Lewis for coming to committee and providing proponent testimony for this bill!
The legislation was inspired by Adams County where one conservation entity owns more than 20,000 acres of land totaling nearly $10.9 million worth of unimproved property and pays nothing in property taxes.
House Bill 540 awaits further consideration from the House Ways and Means Committee.
Supported Charlie Kirk American Heritage Act
I voted in support House Bill 486 – the Charlie Kirk American Heritage Act – legislation that works to preserve the ability for educators to discuss the positive impact of religion on American history, highlighting its consistency with freedom of speech and emphasizing how imperative it is to reduce politically motivated hate and violence in society.
This legislation was developed following the tragic death of conservative Christian activist Charlie Kirk.
Under the bill, the General Assembly declares that:
- “The teaching of the historical and positive impact of religion on American history is consistent with the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. An accurate and historical account of the influence of Christianity on the freedom and liberties ingrained in our culture is imperative to reducing ignorance of American history, hate, and violence within our society.”
- “Accurate historical instruction regarding verifiable, historical impacts of religion on American history is factual and is not proselytization or a violation of the First Amendment.”
The bill reaffirms that teachers in public schools and state institutions of higher education, when teaching American history, can include instruction on the positive impacts of religion on American history.
I applaud the Turning Point chapter at Shawnee State University for encouraging open dialogue on campus. Every teacher and student should feel free to speak about religion in a factual and historical context. This bill reaffirms that freedom.
House Bill 486 now heads to the Ohio Senate for further consideration.
Supported Andy’s Law
I voted in support of House Bill 338 – also known as Andy’s Law – legislation that expands the offense of aggravated murder or assault of correctional facility employees and instills new measures to reduce inmate drug possession.
This legislation was developed following the death of correctional officer Andrew Lansing, who was brutally murdered while on duty by an inmate at the Ross Correctional Institution on Christmas Day last year.
House Bill 338 works to do the following:
- Expands the offense to sentence of life in prison without parole if an inmate murders a ODRC or DYS employee
- Creates a mandatory, 7-year consecutive sentence for inmates who commit a felonious assault against an ODRC or DYS employees
- Creates a mandatory, 3-year sentence for the assault of throwing bodily fluids at an ODRC or DYS employee
- Allows supervisors and higher-ranking staff members of prisons to detain individuals who are found to be attempting to bring illegal substances into prisons or to give to inmates
- Ensures all Level 3 and 4 prisons have drug-sniffing dogs at their institution within 2 years and all lower-level prisons have K9 units within 5 years
- Instills no-contact visitations at all Level 3 and 4 prisons
Earlier this year I toured the Lucasville prison with our union and listened directly to correction officers who face real dangers every day. I’m encouraged to see Ohio moving forward with stronger protections for the people who serve in our prisons.
House Bill 338 now heads to the Ohio Senate for further consideration.
Message from the House
 My colleague Representative Kevin Ritter and I were featured on Message from the House to talk about the vision, challenges, and opportunities shaping Appalachian Ohio.
Shawnee State’s Fall 2025 Commencement Ceremony
 I was honored to provide a commencement speech at my alma mater, Shawnee State University, for their fall commencement ceremony! Congratulations to all the graduates and go bears!
Adams-Brown Community Action Program (ABCAP) Meals on Wheels Ribbon Cutting Event
 I attended the ribbon cutting event for the ABCAP Meals on Wheels grand opening in December. A huge thank you to this group of individuals who strive every day to help end hunger in Ohio!
Capabilities Visit
 I also visited with Capabilities in Wheelersburg to learn more about the work they’re doing to expand opportunities for people with disabilities in Southern Ohio. Thank you for all that you do for our community!
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