A Guest Column by Representative Scott Oelslager

The House was successful in passing several pieces of legislation last week to protect hospital police officers, modify higher education requirements, and make our highways safer.

My colleagues in the Ohio House and I work hard to improve the lives of the Ohioans we represent, and I appreciate the opportunity to update you on these and other issues before us in the legislature.

Designating Certain Drug Cartels as Foreign Terrorist Organizations: House Concurrent Resolution 10 urges the federal government to designate certain drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. This resolution is an effort to address the ongoing opioid epidemic confronting Ohio. Drug cartels are responsible for the flow of opioids across the border into the United States as well as proliferating human trafficking. Human and drug trafficking are key threats to Ohio’s economy, well-being, and overall vitality. House Concurrent Resolution 10 passed the House 95-1.

Increasing Certain Assault Offense Penalties if the Victim is a Hospital Police Officer: Substitute House Bill 236 increases penalties for certain assault offenses if the victim is a hospital police officer. The bill increases the penalty for felonious assault from a second degree to a first degree felony, increases the penalty for aggravated assault from a fourth degree to a third degree felony, and increases the penalty for assault from a first degree misdemeanor to a fourth degree felony. This legislation passed 79-17 and will provide hospital police officers the protection they deserve if they are assaulted while on duty.

Modifying Student Degree Completion and General Education Requirements: Substitute House Bill 9 addresses Higher Education Degree Attainment Reform to help more students graduate in four years so they can begin their careers and keep student debt low. This legislation includes reforms to improve credit transfers from one public school to another and help students who have left school determine if, with the coursework they have completed, they are eligible for an associate’s degree or job training certificate. I co-sponsored this bipartisan legislation that passed the House unanimously.

Filing Certain Campaign Finance Statements Electronically: Amended Substitute Senate Bill 107 expands the categories of political entities that can file their campaign finance statements electronically to include candidates for the State Board of Education and certain local candidates and political entities. This unanimously passed legislation provides greater flexibility in filing campaign finance statements.

Requiring Center-Line Rumble Strips: House Bill 51 requires the Ohio Department of Transportation to install rumble strips along the center line for all two-way, undivided state highways with a speed limit exceeding 45 miles per hour. Ohio Department of Public Safety reports show 1,385 left of center accidents in 2018 on Ohio 2-lane, undivided highways. Of these accidents, 78 were fatalities. By requiring center-line rumble strips, House Bill 51 makes our highways safer with the goal of preventing these accidents and fatalities in the future. I co-sponsored House Bill 51, which passed the House unanimously.

In everything I do, whether it is in Columbus or back in my home district of Stark County, I will continue to make your priorities my priorities. With that goal in mind, I welcome your feedback and opinions at any time. Please do not hesitate to contact me by calling (614) 752-2438, emailing Rep48@OhioHouse.gov, or by writing me at 77 South High St., Columbus, Ohio 43215.