Rep. Miller praises House passage of "Ohio Veterans' Heritage Protection Act"

COLUMBUS - State Rep. Adam C. Miller (D-Columbus) today praised the House passage of House Bill (HB) 190, also known as the “Ohio Veterans’ Heritage Protection Act,” his legislation that would protect cannons or other artillery, statues, monuments, memorials, or plaques that have been placed by the public to commemorate a war or service in a war. 

“Preserving war relics is more than just the cannon on city hall, it is about honor and education,” said Rep. Miller. “This bill prohibits someone from selling war relics owned by the public – all of us – ensuring that generations to come will understand the price of freedom from the Revolutionary War through Operation Enduring Freedom.”

The Ohio Veterans’ Heritage Protection Act would:

Prohibit a war relic that is located on public property or on the property of a cemetery association from being sold, purchased, or otherwise disposed of by any person. 
Prohibit a war relic that is located on public property or on the property of a cemetery association from being destroyed, relocated, removed, altered, or otherwise disturbed by any person, except under certain circumstances. 
Exempt the state and a political subdivision from the bill’s prohibitions if it can clearly prove ownership of a war relic by written documentation. 
Exempt a governmental agency, the state, or a political subdivision from being fined for destroying, relocating, removing, altering, or otherwise disturbing a war relic. 
Authorize the Ohio History Connection, with the help of local historical societies, to compile and maintain a registry of war relics.
 

The bill now heads to the Senate for further consideration.