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 737 - Legislation Requiring Cash Payments Be Rounded
The Federal Government has eliminated the manufacturing of pennies. My colleague Rep. Thomas Hall and I have introduced House Bill 737 - legislation that would require cash payments to be rounded to a nickel.
This is common-sense legislation that reflects the reality of today’s economy. By rounding cash transactions to the nearest nickel, we can reduce unnecessary costs while allowing constituents and businesses to continue to transact efficiently.
This legislation would only apply to cash payments and would require that the final transaction total be rounded to the nearest five cents.
If enacted, cash payments would be rounded as follows:
- Amounts ending in $0.01 or $0.02 → round down to $0.00
- Amounts ending in $0.03 or $0.04 → round up to $0.05
- Amounts ending in $0.06 or $0.07 → round down to $0.05
- Amounts ending in $0.08 or $0.09 → round up to $0.10
The current cost to manufacture and distribute a single penny is .37 cents, resulting in total losses exceeding $56,000,000 annually.
House Bill 737 had its first hearing in the House Ways and Means Committee and is awaiting further consideration.
House Bill 749 - Legislation Combatting Deed and Title Fraud
State Representative Matt Kishman and I have introduced House Bill 749 - legislation that works to address the growing issue of deed and title fraud in Ohio.
This legislation stems from recent cases in Rep. Roemer’s district where property has been listed for sale without the owner’s knowledge or consent.
The issue of deed and title theft is one of the most serious threats facing homeowners. Imagine dedicating years of hard work to buy a home, only to have it stolen by a scammer. This legislation puts an end to that.
If enacted, this legislation would do the following:
- Require at least one hour of continuing education focused on fraud prevention, identifying red flags, response protocols, and reporting suspicious activity
- Establish a statewide owner-notification or waiting period system at the Auditor or Recorder level, similar to the Licking County Transfer Protection Program
- Require photo identification as part of the deed recording process
House Bill 749 received its first hearing in the House Local Government Committee and now awaits further consideration.
House Bill 750 - PACE Program Site Expansion
 Representative Andrea White and I recently introduced House Bill 750 - legislation that expands on the Program for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, or PACE, which has proven to be a highly effective model of care for some of Ohio’s most vulnerable residents. PACE is a fully integrated care model designed to serve older adults who meet a nursing home level of care but prefer to remain in their homes.
This brings together an interdisciplinary team of healthcare professionals who coordinate and deliver all needed medical and social services - from primary care and prescriptions to transportation and adult day services. By centralizing care and focusing on prevention and coordination, PACE improves health outcomes, reduces hospitalizations, and allows individuals to age with dignity in a community-based setting.
House Bill 750 had its first hearing in the House Health Committee and now awaits further consideration.
State of Ohio Capital Budget
 A capital budget provides appropriations for state infrastructure needs, including renovations to state offices, new construction such as prisons, mental health facilities, or university buildings, land acquisition, and equipment. Capital bills have commonly included a small portion dedicated to community projects, which are projects that come from outside of state agencies and have a benefit or nexus to the state.
I look forward to seeing this process move forward and will provide an update soon. Please feel free to reach out to my office with any questions!
Team Tressel Fitness Challenge
I was so happy to be able to join students at the Team Tressel Fitness Challenge at I Promise School, encouraging healthy habits and teamwork while supporting youth wellness initiatives!
The Team Tressel Fitness Challenge is a statewide movement to teach and inspire Ohio's next generation of leaders. The challenge helps students build lifelong habits around fitness, healthy eating, and sleep, and lays the foundation for a brighter future by improving students' physical and mental health, all of which I fully support!
Summit County Humane Society Event
I was grateful to meet with the Summit County Humane Society to discuss Senate Bill 232, legislation to revise Ohio law governing high-volume dog breeders, and Senate Bill 64, legislation to increase penalties for companion animal cruelty offenses.
These bills highlight ongoing efforts to strengthen protections for animals and address issues like puppy mills across Ohio.
University of Akron Guest Lecture
 I was honored to guest lecture at the University of Akron, speaking with students about state and local government and how public policy decisions impact communities across Ohio.
Cincinnati Regional Chamber Property Tax Panel
 I was pleased to participate in a property tax panel hosted by the Cincinnati Regional Chamber, where I discussed the House Ways and Means Committee priorities and shared recent legislative wins, including five property tax reforms now in law!
16th Annual Summit County Farmers’ Share Breakfast
 I had a great time attending the Farmers’ Share Breakfast to connect with local farmers and producers and being able to hear firsthand about the challenges and opportunities shaping Ohio’s agricultural economy!
As a long-time member of the Ohio Farm Bureau, I fully understand their value in our economy.
Statehouse Declaration Reading – H.C.R 22
 I was honored to take part in a Declaration reading at the Statehouse in recognition of HCR 22’s passage, marking an important legislative milestone.
House Concurrent Resolution 22 - legislation to encourage 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, is now enrolled.
H.C.R. 22, championed by Rep. Daniels and me, 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.
It is important that schoolchildren recognize the significance of the Declaration of Independence. For many years, each Fourth of July at noon in Twinsburg, I joined State Senator Kristina Roegner and Secretary of State Frank LaRose to read the Declaration aloud at a community gathering. These meaningful traditions honor our nation’s founding and invite reflection on the sacrifices and aspirations that defined that moment in history – and continue to define us today.
The 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence takes place on July 4, 2026.
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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