Speaker Batchelder Announces Select Committee, Process for Hearing Election Contest

Release:

COLUMBUS— Pursuant to Article 2, Section 21 of the Ohio Constitution, Speaker William G. Batchelder (R-Medina) today announced that a House Select Committee has been established to hear the election contest O’Farrell v. Landis in the 98th House District, which was recently delivered to the House from the Ohio Supreme Court.

“We will have a full, fair and deliberative process over the next several weeks on this election contest,” Speaker Batchelder said. “I am confident that the select committee will do their due diligence over the coming weeks in order to make a recommendation to the full House.”

Speaker Batchelder named the following House Members to serve on this select committee:

· Rep. Matt Huffman – Chair

· Rep. Peter Stautberg – Vice chair

· Rep. Mike Dovilla

· Rep. Dorothy Pelanda

· Rep. Gerald Stebelton

· Rep. Kathleen Clyde – Ranking Member

· Rep. Mike Curtin

· Rep. Chris Redfern

· Rep. Fred Strahorn

The first of several hearings are expected to begin in the month of March. A hearing schedule and location of these public hearings will be made available in the near future. This committee is not a standing House Committee; as such, members serving in leadership positions will not receive any additional stipend for their service.

The last election contest occurred in the 1980s in the Ohio Senate and in the late 19th century in the Ohio House. The committee membership will be journalized this week and the committee will be dissolved pending their final recommendation to the full House.

Ohio House Passes Bill to Revise Adult Guardianship Procedures

Release:

COLUMBUS—Today the Ohio House of Representatives unanimously passed legislation to enact the Adult Guardianship and Protective Proceedings Jurisdiction Act.

House Bill 27, sponsored by Representatives Peter Stautberg (R-Anderson Twp.) and Tom Letson (D-Warren), creates procedures for the resolution of disputes involving the jurisdiction of courts of different states over adult guardianships.

Some of the provisions of the bill include:

- Authorizing the issuance of emergency orders by probate courts to freeze the financial assets of an individual if that person has gone missing or has been taken to another state, or if there is reason to believe the order is needed to prevent financial harm to the individual

- Requiring that under the normal proceedings for the appointment of a guardian of an adult that the adult be subject to the jurisdiction of the Ohio probate court under the bill and delineating the jurisdiction of the Ohio probate court when Ohio is not the respondent’s home state

- Establishing rules for deciding whether an Ohio probate court should proceed with, stay or dismiss a proceeding for the appointment of a guardian or issuance of a protective order when a proceeding is also filed in another state

- Authorizing an Ohio probate court to request and provide information with a court of another state regarding adult guardianship and protective proceedings, including the ability to take testimony in another state

“I’m very pleased that this bill passed and received so much support by the members of the House,” Representative Stautberg said. “This is an important step in prioritizing the protective proceedings for adults who are no longer able to care for themselves and facilitate cooperation among states with respect to the appropriate exercise of jurisdiction over these proceedings.”

House Bill 27 will now move to the Ohio Senate for further debate and consideration.

Today in the Ohio Senate

Session Schedule:

At today's session (1:30 p.m.), the Senate will consider the following legislation:

• Regulatory Reform: House Bill 95, sponsored by State Representative Peter Stautberg (R-Anderson Township), modernizes the regulatory process for Ohio's natural gas industry.  The legislation updates antiquated statutes in the Ohio Revised Code and facilitates investments in the natural gas infrastructure that contributes to Ohio's economic vitality.  The bill preserves all of the Public Utility Commission's authority to review utility rate requests, while at the same time helping to reduce overall costs to ratepayers.

• Military Child Custody:  House Bill 121, sponsored by State Representative Cliff Rosenberger (R-Clarksville) with companion legislation in the Senate sponsored by Senator Frank LaRose (R-Akron), is specifically designed to help Ohio's military service members who are faced with losing custody of a child due to active duty obligations.  The bill prohibits a parent's absence due to past, present or possible future military service from being the sole determining factor in awarding custody of a child, and it allows a parent who has court-ordered visitation rights to apply for a temporary order delegating those rights to a relative or person with a substantial relationship with the child.  It also gives military parents the option of participating in child custody and visitation rights proceedings via electronic means, such as videoconferencing or telephone.  Senator LaRose testified in committee, "This bill will help to ensure that parental responsibilities are not diminished as a result of military service, while keeping the child's emotional and physical well-being at the forefront of custody and visitation decisions."

St. Rep. Stautberg to Serve as Chairman of Public Utilities Committee

Release:

COLUMBUS—State Representative Peter Stautberg (R-Anderson Twp.) today was appointed by House Speaker William G. Batchelder (R-Medina) to serve as the chairman of the House Public Utilities Committee.  Stautberg will replace former State Representative Todd Snitchler, who was recently appointed by Governor John Kasich to be chairman of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio.

 

Stautberg previously served as chair of the Ways and Means Committee. “I am honored to serve as chairman of the Public Utilities Committee and have the opportunity to work on issues that will positively impact Ohio,” said Stautberg.

OHIO HOUSE: Rep. Stautberg to Chair Ways and Means Committee

Release:

COLUMBUS—State Representative Peter Stautberg (R-Anderson Twp) today was appointed by Ohio House Speaker William G. Batchelder (R-Medina) to serve as chairman of the Ways and Means Committee during the 129^th General Assembly. “I am pleased that the Speaker has chosen me for this important role and look forward to working on key legislative priorities,” said Stautberg. 

 

Stautberg will also serve on the Public Utilities Committee, and the Financial Institutions, Housing and Urban Development Committee.  “I believe that my work on these committees will help bring about some positive changes to the way the state of Ohio does business.”

 

Rep. Stautberg is serving his second term in the Ohio House of Representative