Bird's Bill to Bring COVID-19 Relief Funds to Ohio Schools Passes House

April 15, 2021

COLUMBUS – The Ohio House of Representatives today passed House Bill 170, legislation sponsored by State Representative Adam Bird (R-New Richmond) and Tracy Richardson (R- Marysville). The legislation provides $857 million in federal funding to Ohio’s public, private and vocational schools for COVID-19 pandemic related expenses.

“Ohio’s schools have been struggling throughout the coronavirus pandemic and House Bill 170 works to ensure they have the funds necessary to get back on their feet and create the best environment possible for our students,” said Bird. “I was proud to sponsor this legislation that prioritizes education in the 66th House District and throughout Ohio.”

House Bill 170 provides the following funding through Elementary and Secondary School Relief (ESSER I), ESSER II and Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER I) and GEER II funds:

$683 million for public schools
$154.8 million for private schools
$19 million for Educational Service Centers, Joint Vocational Schools, and Ohio’s County Boards of Developmental Disabilities
$173 million for the Ohio Department of Health for COVID-19 testing and vaccine distribution efforts
$8 million for the Adjutant General to support the Ohio National Guard response

The Ohio House also approved additional COVID-19 funding relief in H.B. 167, H.B. 168, and H.B. 169, including:

$100 million to Ohio’s bars and restaurants
$25 million to Ohio’s lodging industry
$150 million for a small business grant relief program
$10 million for grants to new businesses opened after January 1, 2020
$120 million for Ohio's fairs, veterans’ homes and child care services
- $4.7 million for county and independent fairs
- $3 million for veterans’ homes
- $112.2 million for childcare providers
$20 million for indoor entertainment venues for loss of revenue due to cancelled events or performances
$465 million in emergency rental assistance for Ohioans struggling to pay rent and utilities