Mathews Announces Three Bills Signed into Law

COLUMBUS, OH – State Representative Adam Mathews (R-Lebanon) announced three additional pieces of legislation been signed into law. The measures, which require streamlined financial disclosures for students attending state colleges and universities, end repeat ballot issue numbering, and allow arson investigators to carry firearms, were passed as part of two omnibus bills in late June. 

The first, named the “Higher Education Return on Investment Act,” requires state colleges and universities to provide incoming students a one doubled-sided page financial cost and aid disclosure form prior to admission deadlines. This form will highlight key information including all costs of attendance, scholarships and any requirements to maintain them, financial aid and net cost of attendance thereafter, expected loan payments upon graduation, and income range percentiles upon graduation based on college or field of study. The measure provides greater financial transparency to incoming students to better clarify financial expectations as they begin their futures.

The Higher Education Return on Investment Act was initially introduced as House Bill 27, which passed the House last year. The Senate passed HB 27 in February after adding unrelated provisions, and the bill then passed the House and Senate again once amended into Senate Bill 94. 

The second measure requires that statewide ballot issues be numbered consecutively based on preceding elections. For example, for two consecutive elections on different dates including a statewide ballot issue, the first election will contain Issue 1, the next election will contain Issue 2, and so on. This will end repeat Issue 1’s appearing on multiple elections.

This measure was initially introduced as House Bill 271 and passed both the House and Senate earlier this year, though the bill received unrelated provisions in the Senate. The standalone provision passed again and was signed into law after being amended into Senate Bill 98. 

The third measure protects fire investigators in Ohio by setting training requirements and creating permissive language for municipalities and fire departments to allow their fire investigators to carry a firearm while on duty. This response to the threats facing fire investigators allows them the ability to defend themselves while conducting their investigations. 

This measure was initially introduced jointly with Rep. Jamie Callender as House Bill 313, which passed the House Government Oversight Committee unanimously earlier this year. It passed both the House and Senate after also being amended into Senate Bill 98. 

“Arsons are often complicated cases that are entwined with other criminal investigations,” said Callender. “By ensuring our Fire Investigators are properly trained and equipped to defend themselves, we will not only assist with the swift application of justice but give our communities peace of mind that their law enforcement professionals are qualified to perform their duties.”

“With these bills now enacted, we give our college students the information they need to make informed financial decisions that set them up for success, increase transparency in our elections, and grant our fire investigators the protection they need to serve our communities,” Mathews said. “These commonsense policies serve our communities and strengthen our state, and I am grateful to the many partners who worked alongside me to see these bills enacted.”