Bill Summary – FastDemocracy

OHIO LEGISLATIVE SERVICE COMMISSION
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                             S.B. 85                               Bill Analysis
                  135th   General Assembly
                                                                    Click here for S.B. 85’s Fiscal Note
Version: As Introduced
Primary Sponsor: Sen. Ingram
Effective Date:
Reid J. Fleeson, Attorney
                                                        SUMMARY
                     Expands eligibility for county sewer discounted rates or charges or rate reductions to
                          apply to persons who are any of the following (1) 65 years of age or older, (2) low- and
                          moderate-income persons, or (3) experiencing temporary hardship.
                                               DETAILED ANALYSIS
County sewer discounted rates or charges
       The bill expands eligibility for county sewer discounted rates or charges or other rate
reduction mechanisms that a board of county commissioners is permitted to establish under
continuing law. Under the bill, the board may establish discounted rates or charges or rate
reductions for persons who are any of the following:
                     65 years of age or older;
                     Low- and moderate-income persons;
                     Experiencing temporary hardship.
        Under current law, the discounted rates or charges or rate reductions may be provided
to persons who are 65 years of age or older and who meet eligibility requirements established
by the board, including a requirement that a person is eligible for the homestead exemption or
qualifies as a low- and moderate-income person.1
Low- and moderate-income persons
      Continuing law defines “low- and moderate-income persons” as individuals and families
who qualify as low- and moderate-income persons under guidelines established by the Ohio
1                 R.C. 6117.02(F).
                                                                                                           March 20, 2023
Office of Research and Drafting                        LSC                     Legislative Budget Office
Housing Finance Agency (OHFA). OHFA may determine, and periodically review, who are low-
and moderate-income persons by establishing income limits. The income limits are determined
by considering the amount of income available for housing, family size, the cost and condition
of available housing, ability to pay the amounts the private market charges for decent, safe, and
sanitary housing without federal subsidy or state assistance, and the income eligibility
standards of federal programs. Income limits may vary from area to area within Ohio.2
                                               HISTORY
                              Action                                          Date
Introduced                                                         03-16-23
ANSB0085IN-135/ks
2   R.C. 175.01(P), 175.05(B)(1), and 6117.01(A)(12), not in the bill.
P a g e |2                                                                                      S.B. 85
                                                                                         As Introduced
Statutes affected: 
As Introduced: 6117.02