Ohio House Bill 751: Law Or Not?

In the United States, a bill is a proposal for a new law, or a change to an existing one, that is discussed by legislators in the Senate and House of Representatives. In Ohio, a bill must receive three considerations in each house of the General Assembly to become law. The process of turning a bill into a law involves several steps, including introduction, committee process, voting, and approval by the governor. The Ohio Legislature website provides information on the status of bills, such as House Bill 751, which aims to allow income tax benefits for volunteer firefighters by amending sections of the Revised Code.

What is the process for a bill to become a law in Ohio?

Step 1: Introduction

A senator puts their idea into writing in the form of a bill. Once a bill is drafted, it is introduced and given a unique number. To become law in Ohio, a bill must receive three "considerations" in each house of the General Assembly. Introduction of a bill constitutes "first consideration."

Step 2: Committee Process

The bill is then assigned to a committee for public debate and input. Committees are the best forums for thoroughly studying a bill. They give senators an opportunity to hear from experts and concerned citizens who testify before a committee to express their opinions or make recommendations. Through this process, members may change the bill with alterations called amendments or choose to take no action at all. If a committee recommends a bill for consideration by the entire Senate, the bill is voted on and reported by the committee. The referral of a bill to a committee constitutes "second consideration."

Step 3: Voting

All members have an opportunity to debate and amend a bill when it goes before the entire Senate on the floor. When debate on a bill is concluded, the Senate President directs the Clerk of the Senate to call the roll, and members cast their votes. If a bill receives a majority of the votes cast (17 of the 33 votes in the Senate), it passes and moves to the Ohio House of Representatives, where a similar process is followed. Consideration of a bill on the floor constitutes "third consideration."

Step 4: Reconciliation

If the House makes any changes to the bill, the Senate may vote on whether to concur with the changes. If the Senate does not concur with the House changes, a conference committee made up of members from both chambers meets to reconcile differences between the two versions of the bill. Once the revised bill is approved by the Senate and the House, the bill becomes an "act" and is sent to the governor.

Step 5: The Governor

The governor can sign the act into law or reject it by issuing a veto. A three-fifths vote of the members of the House and Senate is necessary to override the governor's veto. A signed act becomes law after 90 days. If the governor takes no action within 10 days of receiving the act, it becomes law without their signature.

What is the short title of House Bill 751?

The short title of House Bill 751 is "Allow income tax benefits for volunteer firefighters". This bill was introduced to amend sections 5747.01 and 5747.06 of the Revised Code to authorize an income tax deduction for volunteer firefighters and to exempt certain income received by volunteer firefighters from withholding requirements.

What is the long title of House Bill 751?

The long title of House Bill 751 is:

> To amend sections 5747.01 and 5747.06 of the Revised Code to authorize an income tax deduction for volunteer firefighters and to exempt certain income received by volunteer firefighters from withholding requirements.

The short title of the bill is "Allow income tax benefits for volunteer firefighters".

What are the subjects of House Bill 751?

House Bill 751 in Ohio concerns income tax benefits for volunteer firefighters. The bill proposes to amend sections 5747.01 and 5747.06 of the Revised Code to authorise an income tax deduction for volunteer firefighters and to exempt certain income received by volunteer firefighters from withholding requirements. The bill falls under the subjects of public safety and taxation.

What is the current status of House Bill 751?

House Bill 751 (HB 751) is a bill introduced in the Ohio Legislature that proposes to allow income tax benefits for volunteer firefighters. The bill seeks to amend sections 5747.01 and 5747.06 of the Revised Code to provide an income tax deduction and exempt certain income received by volunteer firefighters from withholding requirements.

The bill was introduced and given a unique number, constituting the "first consideration." It then moved on to the committee process, where it was studied and discussed by a committee of senators. The committee had the opportunity to hear from experts and concerned citizens who testified and expressed their opinions or made recommendations. This process allows for any necessary changes or amendments to be made to the bill.

If the committee decided to recommend the bill, it would then be voted on and reported by the committee, which constitutes the "second consideration." The bill would then go before the entire Senate on the floor for debate and amendment. Once the debate concludes, a final vote is taken, and if the bill receives a majority of the votes, it passes and moves to the Ohio House of Representatives, where a similar process is followed, constituting the "third consideration."

At the time of writing, there is no further information available specifically regarding the current status of HB 751 beyond its introduction. However, it is important to note that for a bill to become a law in Ohio, it must receive three "considerations" in each house of the General Assembly. Therefore, even if HB 751 has passed the first three considerations, it still has several steps to go before potentially becoming a law.

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