The bill amends various sections of the Ohio Revised Code to modernize public utilities law, particularly focusing on utility tangible personal property taxation and energy conservation measures. It designates areas affected by brownfields or former coal mines as priority investment areas, allowing local authorities to request tax exemptions for qualifying properties for five years. The bill expands definitions related to small renewable energy facilities and grants local authorities the power to regulate these facilities. It also introduces provisions for school boards to enter into installment payment contracts for energy conservation projects without competitive bidding, and allows boards of education to apply for loans from a new school energy performance contracting loan fund at a two percent interest rate.

Additionally, the bill outlines new regulations for electric distribution utilities, including the prohibition of settlements to abandon base load electric generating facilities and the establishment of a framework for accelerated review of construction certificate applications. It modifies the valuation and reporting requirements for public utilities, ensuring transparency in the valuation process, and introduces new definitions related to renewable energy resources. The bill also addresses the aggregation of retail electric loads by local governments, streamlining the process for energy projects while promoting local employment and workforce training. Overall, the bill aims to enhance regulatory oversight, promote energy efficiency, and ensure consumer protections within Ohio's energy sector.

Statutes affected:
As Pending in Senate Committee: 4905.03, 4906.01, 4906.03, 4906.04, 4906.07, 4906.10, 4909.04, 4909.05, 4909.052, 4909.06, 4909.07, 4909.08, 4909.15, 4909.156, 4909.17, 4909.173, 4909.174, 4909.18, 4909.191, 4909.42, 4911.15, 4928.01, 4928.05, 4928.08, 4928.14, 4928.141, 4928.142, 4928.144, 4928.17, 4928.20, 4928.23, 4928.231, 4928.232, 4928.34, 4928.542, 4928.64, 4928.645, 4929.20, 5727.01, 5727.031, 5727.06, 5727.11, 3706.40, 3706.41, 3706.43, 3706.431, 3706.45, 3706.46, 3706.49, 3706.491, 3706.55, 3706.551, 3706.59, 3706.63, 3706.65, 4928.143, 4928.148, 4928.642
As Reported By Senate Committee: 303.213, 519.213, 713.081, 3313.372, 3313.373, 4905.03, 4906.01, 4906.03, 4906.06, 4906.07, 4906.10, 4909.04, 4909.05, 4909.052, 4909.06, 4909.07, 4909.08, 4909.15, 4909.156, 4909.173, 4909.174, 4909.18, 4909.19, 4909.191, 4909.42, 4928.01, 4928.05, 4928.08, 4928.14, 4928.141, 4928.142, 4928.144, 4928.17, 4928.20, 4928.23, 4928.231, 4928.232, 4928.34, 4928.542, 4928.64, 4928.645, 4929.20, 4933.81, 5711.01, 5727.01, 5727.031, 5727.06, 5727.11, 5727.111, 5727.75, 3706.40, 3706.41, 3706.43, 3706.431, 3706.45, 3706.46, 3706.49, 3706.491, 3706.55, 3706.551, 3706.59, 3706.63, 3706.65, 4928.143, 4928.148, 4928.642
As Passed By Senate: 303.213, 519.213, 713.081, 3313.372, 3313.373, 4905.03, 4906.01, 4906.03, 4906.06, 4906.07, 4906.10, 4909.04, 4909.05, 4909.052, 4909.06, 4909.07, 4909.08, 4909.15, 4909.156, 4909.173, 4909.174, 4909.18, 4909.19, 4909.191, 4909.42, 4928.01, 4928.05, 4928.08, 4928.14, 4928.141, 4928.142, 4928.144, 4928.17, 4928.20, 4928.23, 4928.231, 4928.232, 4928.34, 4928.542, 4928.64, 4928.645, 4929.20, 4933.81, 5711.01, 5727.01, 5727.031, 5727.06, 5727.11, 5727.111, 5727.75, 3706.40, 3706.41, 3706.43, 3706.431, 3706.45, 3706.46, 3706.49, 3706.491, 3706.55, 3706.551, 3706.59, 3706.63, 3706.65, 4928.143, 4928.148, 4928.642