ICYMI: WTF is Going on @ The Ohio Statehouse

ICYMI: WTF is Going on @ The Ohio Statehouse Webinar 2/24/26 In this special episode, we replay our Tuesday webinar discussing legislation under consideration at the Ohio Statehouse. Learn about bills being considered, then take action!Warning: It’s a lot. Remember, you don’t have to fight every battle. Pick a couple bills to focus on, then get to work!Presenters:Maria Bruno, Ohioans Against Extremism Emily Cole, OFUPACCriminal Justice (5:00 - 9:09)Jona Hilario, OPAWLImmigration (9:30 - 20:45)Spencer Dirrig, Ohio Environmental Council Action FundEnvironment (20:57 - 27:38)Danielle Firsich, Planned Parenthood of Ohio Healthcare (27:46 - 32:03)Josh Meek, Equality Ohio LGBTQ+ Rights (32:12 - 41:03)Christina Collins & Rachel Coyle, Honesty for Ohio Education Education (41:27 - 50:15)Criminal Justice (5:00 - 9:09)Presenter: Emily Cole, OFUPACBills discussed:* SB 321 - *bad* - Allows “special police officers” to be armed while escorting patients, patrolling grounds, operating medical detectors in behavioral health hospitals* SB 295 - *bad, signed into law* - Extended competency restoration to three years for aggravated murder, murder or where life in prison is possible sentence* HB 338 - *pushing amendment* - Creates survivorship benefits for COs; eliminates higher education/rehabilitation program access, tablet access for residents in max security* HB 548 - *GREAT!* - Mandatory substance use and alcohol screening after every use of force incident for all peace officersTake Action: Follow OFUPAC to get action alerts and legislative updatesImmigration (9:30 - 20:45)Jona Hilario, OPAWLBills discussed:* ICE Bills* HB 26 - require law enforcement cooperation with ICE* HB 281 - require hospitals cooperate with ICE* HB 200 - require local govt and LE cooperate with ICE* HB 42 - require agencies including schools collect immigration and citizenship data* SB 172 - require officials allow arrests with or without warrants anywhere* HB 544 - expands scope of obstruction of justice* Dems’ immigration bill package - 8 billsTake Action: Sign up for updates from OPAWL, stay tuned for action alerts if one of the bills keeps movingEnvironment (20:57 - 27:38)Spencer Dirrig, Ohio Environmental Council Action FundBills discussed:* HB 303: Sponsored by Rep. Ray (R) and Rep. Hoops (R) - Establishes a Community Energy Pilot Program, capped at 1,500 megawatts total. 500 MW reserved specifically for distressed sites and commercial or public rooftops* SB 329: Sponsored by Sen. Hicks-Hudson (D) and Sen. Smith (D) - Prohibits the surface application of brine from oil and gas wells on roads in OhioTake Action:* Ask Senate Energy Committee Chairman Sen. Chavez to schedule hearings on HB 303!* Ask Senate Natural Resources Committee members to move forward to SB 329 for Ohio’s health and safety.* Keep up with Ohio Environmental Council Action Fund for future calls to action.Healthcare (27:46 - 32:03)Danielle Firsich, Planned Parenthood of Ohio Bills discussed:* SB 309: would force providers to deliver a state-written disclosure that frames medication abortion as unusually dangerous; includes civil & criminal liability for providers* SB 310: fetal development video required in any school instruction related to human growth or sexuality* HB 347: reinstates the 24-hour waiting period before an abortion procedure and forces providers to give medically inaccurate information about the risks of abortion* HB 324 (attack on medication abortion) and HB485 (Baby Olivia Act) passed the House in November and have been referred to the Senate.Take Action: Sign up for alerts from Planned Parenthood of Ohio for calls to actionLGBTQ+ Rights (32:12 - 41:03)Josh Meek, Equality Ohio Bills discussed:* Slate of Hate* HB 693: Parental Right to Harm Bill - Enshrine discriminatory anti-LGBTQ+ principles into nearly every aspect of Ohio’s child welfare and family law system* HB 249: Drag Ban - Legally defines drag performances and being transgender as “obscene” * HB 172: Emergency Youth Mental Health Access - Repeals Emergency Youth Access to Mental Health Services Without Parental Consent* Slate of Love* HB 136 (Rader, Lett) & SB 70 (Antonio): Ohio Fairness Act* HB 300 (Brownlee, Lett) & SB 71 (Antonio, Liston): Conversion Therapy Ban* SB 211 (Antonio): Designate Love Makes a Family Week* HJR 4 (Synenberg, Somani): Marriage Ballot Initiative* HB 327 (Brownlee, Brewer): P.R.I.D.E Act - LGBTQ+ Healthcare* SB 221 (Antonio, Smith): Equality Ohio License PlateTake Action: Sign up for updates from Equality Ohio to get action alerts about these bills.Education (41:27 - 50:15)Christina Collins & Rachel Coyle, Honesty for Ohio Education Bills discussed:* Good Bills!!* HB 25 — Support for students in foster care* HB 523 — “Future Educators Support Act”* Funding threats* HB 698 — SB1 Compliance Act* HB 671 — Withhold funds from school districts that join the Vouchers Hurt Ohio lawsuit* Curriculum related bills:* HB 326 — Classic Learning Test)* SB 113 / HB 155 — K-12 Diversity Ban* SB 156 / HB 269 — “Success Sequence”* SB 34 — Ten Commandments in public schools* HB 485 — “Baby Olivia”* HB 486 — Charlie Kirk* Other Bills:* HB 153 / SB 107 — Partisan school board races* SB 127 — State can close schoolsTake Action: Keep up with Honesty’s legislation tracker and sign up for updates.Read more about the bills we’re tracking: OhioBills.WTFThank you for your patience as we transition to the new tracker. Email [email protected] for inquiries and tips.Rely on our tracker? Please consider supporting our work.We don’t have any billionaire friends, and we don’t paywall our updates. We rely on the generous support of Ohioans like you to keep us going. Please consider becoming a monthly donor. Even $5/month can make a big difference.Quick Statehouse LinksThis Week’s ActionThe Ohio SenateThe Ohio HouseGet the weekly “This week @ the Statehouse” into your inbox every Monday!We send weekly dispatches from Hell the Statehouse. Each week, we provide a brief overview of what we’re paying attention to as we monitor the Ohio Legislature. We will flag bills that are moving, bills we’re fighting for or against, and provide timely reminders about other things advocates should be thinking about.Make sure to sign up for our email alerts to get this summary right to your inbox every week.More from Ohioans Against ExtremismCoffee with UsJoin Ohioans Against Extremism at the Columbus Library to drink coffee, decompress, and discuss the stuff that keeps us hopeful and motivatedJoin the Helpers CohortThe Helpers Cohort offers mentorship, networking, and skill-building opportunities to “politically homeless” activists in Ohio. This cohort will help experienced activists find their next pet project and help newer activists learn how their strengths can make a difference in the fight against extremism. This is a free program with limited space.Join our Community Partner NetworkJoin a diverse network of community partners and take advantage of private planning sessions, exclusive safety resources, a free spot at OAE’s training sessions, and more.Support & Follow Ohioans Against ExtremismDonate | Substack | Podcast | Facebook | Instagram | X | BlueSkyThanks for reading! This post is public so feel free to share it.This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Ohioans Against Extremism at ohagainstextremism.substack.com/subscribe