OHIO LEGISLATIVE SERVICE COMMISSION
Office of Research Legislative Budget
www.lsc.ohio.gov and Drafting Office
H.B. 304 Bill Analysis
135th General Assembly
Click here for H.B. 304’s Fiscal Note
Version: As Introduced
Primary Sponsors: Reps. Hall and M. Miller
Effective date:
Alyssa Bethel, Attorney
SUMMARY
 Creates the State and Municipal Government Commission.
 Requires the Commission to make recommendations to state and municipal leaders on
municipal authority, policy, and funding implications of proposed state policies.
 Requires the Commission to submit a biennial report to the General Assembly.
DETAILED ANALYSIS
State and Municipal Government Commission
The bill creates the State and Municipal Government Commission, specifies its
membership, and prescribes its duties. The Commission has permissive authority to appoint an
executive director housed within the Department of Development. The Commission will submit
a biennial report to the General Assembly. More details are provided below.
Membership
The Commission consists of the following 13 members:
 The Director of Development or the Director’s designee (serves as chairperson);
 Four members appointed by the Governor:
 Two mayors, or their designees, of municipal corporations in Ohio with populations
of 60,000 or more;
 Two mayors, or their designees, of municipal corporations in Ohio with populations
of less than 60,000.
 Two members appointed by the Senate President:
 One member of the General Assembly;
 One mayor, municipal executive, or charter county executive.
November 2, 2023
Office of Research and Drafting LSC Legislative Budget Office
 Two members appointed by the Senate Minority Leader:
 One member of the General Assembly;
 One mayor, municipal executive, or charter county executive.
 Two members appointed by the Speaker of the House:
 One member of the General Assembly;
 One mayor, municipal executive, or charter county executive.
 Two members appointed by the House Minority Leader:
 One member of the General Assembly;
 One mayor, municipal executive, or charter county executive.
Initial appointments must be made by June 30, 2023. Members serve two-year terms
beginning on January 30 each odd-numbered year. Any vacancy that occurs is filled in the same
manner as the original appointment. General Assembly members serve on the Commission only
while serving in the General Assembly. Members do not receive compensation; actual and
necessary expenses are reimbursed. Finally, the bill specifies membership on the Commission
does not constitute holding another public office.
Duties
The Commission is required to do all of the following:
 Meet at least twice a year upon ten days’ written notice provided by the chairperson;
 Analyze and report on proposed state and municipal policies and rules that would
impact municipal home rule authority;1
 Enhance collaborative opportunities between state and municipal leaders;
 Make recommendations to state and municipal leaders on municipal authority, policy,
and funding implications of proposed state policies;
 Discuss and consider state and municipal government revenue sharing, grant programs,
and other matters related to the fiscal health of municipal corporations;
 Submit a biennial report to the General Assembly.
Meetings
A majority of members constitutes a quorum at meetings, and the Commission is
subject to Ohio’s Open Meetings Act.2 The Ohio Government Telecommunications Service,
1 Ohio Constitution, Article XVIII, Section 3.
2 R.C. 121.22, not in the bill.
P a g e |2 H.B. 304
As Introduced
Office of Research and Drafting LSC Legislative Budget Office
which operates Ohio Channel, is required to broadcast all meetings of the Commission. The bill
allows the Commission to have experts or other parties testify at meetings.
Report
The Commission’s biennial report must be submitted by January 29 of each odd-
numbered year and must include the following information:
 A summary of the Commission’s recommendation, along with subsequent actions taken
or not taken by the General Assembly and municipal governments, as appropriate;
 A summary of legislation passed by the General Assembly restricting or limiting home
rule authority and any reported impacts on municipal law or policies;
 Recommendations for the next General Assembly to preserve and restore home rule
authority and municipal authority.
This report, and any recommendations the Commission provides at other times, cannot
be issued without the approval of all of the following:
 A simple majority of total members;
 Two members from each political party;
 Two members who are members of the General Assembly;
 Two members who are a mayor, a mayor’s designee, a municipal executive, or a charter
county executive.
Executive director
The bill allows the Commission to hire and supervise an executive director to administer
the Commission’s duties. The executive director will be located in the Department of
Development.3
HISTORY
Action Date
Introduced 10-18-23
ANHB0304IN-135/ks
3 R.C. 701.11 and Section 2.
P a g e |3 H.B. 304
As Introduced