House Bill 409 would bar Ohio lawmakers from accepting free or discounted sporting event tickets

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio lawmakers have introduced a bill that would bar legislators from receiving free or discounted sporting event tickets.

House Bill 409 was introduced on Aug. 7 by Rep. Sean Brennan, D-District 14, and Rep. Karen Brownlee, D-District 28. It was cosponsored by three other Democratic representatives: Juanita Brent, District 18; Chris Glassburn, District 15; and Lauren McNally, District 58.

Specifically, this bill would seek to amend section 102.031 of the Revised Code to add the following language:

“No member of the general assembly shall knowingly accept a free or discounted ticket to a professional sporting event, unless the free or discounted ticket is given or sold as part of a promotion generally available to the public, and on the same terms as generally available to the public.”

A fine of up to $1,000 could be imposed on a legislator who violates the rule by the ethics committee, should the bill pass.

The NFL, NHL, MLB, MLS and NBA are all considered to be professional sporting teams, per language in the proposed bill.