OML UPDATE AT A GLANCE

APPALACHIAN INITIATIVE, LOCAL GOV FUNDING BILL SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
$500 million in federal funding is being funneled to Appalachian communities with the signing of HB 377, a bill originally aimed at aiding small cities and townships.
The money for Appalachia will be used for planning grants, with the remainder for development projects focused on infrastructure, workforce, or health care.

The legislation also includes the original plan to allocate $422 million for local government entities that had not previously received direct funding under the federal American Rescue Plan Act. It is the second distribution of the same amount for those entities. The funding for these local governments is related to pandemic recovery and expected to be used for one-time investments, including infrastructure. Bill Analysis

FIREWORKS REVISION BECOMES LAW JULY 1
A new state law, HB 172, allowing individuals to possess consumer-grade fireworks in Ohio is effective Friday, July 1. Legalizing the possession of backyard fireworks is one of several provisions to go into effect, including language allowing many Ohioans to begin legally discharging consumer fireworks on certain holidays unless otherwise restricted by local laws. Bill Analysis

ADDITIONAL LEGISLATION SIGNED INTO LAW INCLUDING, HB 430
Gov. DeWine recently signed several other bills into law. One of those of interest is HB 430, which addresses underground utility facilities affected by construction, exempts mobile computing units from certain building regulation, makes changes relating to the landlord/tenant law, limits regulation of telecommunications, wireless, or Internet protocol-enabled service providers, revises the law governing the plugging of idle and orphaned wells and revises the use of the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund, and designates April as "Ohio Work Zone Safety Awareness Month." OML was specifically interested in the language on rent control, which in part expands current law barring municipal corporations and townships from adopting policies conflicting with the state's landlord and tenant law to apply to all political subdivisions. It also prohibits the subdivisions from requiring or imposing rent control or rent stabilization. Bill Analysis

GOVERNOR OPPOSED TO SUSPENDING GAS TAX
Following President Biden's suggestion of suspending the state and federal gas taxes for three months to alleviate pressures of high gas prices, Gov. DeWine referred to it as a "false promise." The state estimates it would lose $587 million in state revenue available for road projects, and the loss of revenue would delay multiple projects while adding to costs because of inflation.

UPCOMING REGIONAL CONFERENCE IN FINDLAY
OML's upcoming regional conference taking place in Findlay on Aug. 5 is a great opportunity to network with other elected officials and staff members from nearby cities and villages, while also learning more about topics relevant to municipalities, including policy issues, ethics, public records, home rule, cybersecurity, and economic development. Register HERE before the July 29 deadline.

EPA WEBINAR: ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS OF BUSINESSES IN YOUR COMMUNITY
The Ohio EPA regulates sources of air pollution, waste handling, wastewater and storm water discharges, and more. Register up until this upcoming webinar on Aug. 16 to receive an overview of the environmental regulations affecting both large and small businesses in your community, and an explanation the Ohio EPA's permitting, inspection, and enforcement procedures. Register

TAX CREDITS & GRANT FUNDING ANNOUNCED

  • $39.87 million in tax credits for 29 projects around the state under Ohio’s Historic Preservation Tax Credit Program were announced. Learn More
  • State support for 112 brownfield remediation projects that will help clean up contaminated properties in Ohio to make way for future economic development was announced. Learn More
  • The state is awarding approximately $1.3 million to three statewide programs that focus specifically on the unique wellness concerns of law enforcement officers, firefighters, paramedics, dispatchers, and others who routinely respond to traumatic incidents. Learn More

SECOND ROUND OF TRANSFORMATIONAL MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM OPENS FOR APPLICATIONS
$100 million is available in the second round of the Transformational Mixed-Use Development Program, which provides credits for major efforts to help finance new construction and improve vacant buildings. The Ohio Department of Development is accepting FY23 project applications with a deadline of 4 p.m. on Friday, July 8. Learn More