The bill amends various sections of the Ohio Revised Code to enhance regulations surrounding public utilities, particularly focusing on utility tangible personal property taxation and renewable energy initiatives. Key provisions include the introduction of definitions for terms such as "anaerobic digester" and "other small electric generating facility," which broaden the scope of small renewable energy projects subject to local zoning laws. The bill allows legislative authorities to designate areas affected by the decline of the coal industry as priority investment areas, offering tax exemptions for qualifying properties for five years. Additionally, it streamlines regulations by repealing outdated sections of the Revised Code, including parts of H.B. 6 from the 133rd General Assembly, and allows school boards to enter into installment payment contracts for energy conservation measures without competitive bidding, provided payments do not exceed calculated savings.

Furthermore, the bill establishes a school energy performance contracting loan fund, administered by the Ohio facilities construction commission, to provide loans for energy efficiency projects at a 2% interest rate with a repayment period of up to ten years. It also introduces amendments to the issuance and renewal of surety bonds by boards of education related to energy savings contracts, and clarifies the valuation and reporting requirements for public utilities. The bill mandates that all revenues collected from customers deemed unreasonable must be refunded, and it outlines new provisions for the accelerated review of applications for construction certificates for major utility facilities. Overall, the bill aims to modernize the regulatory framework for public utilities, promote renewable energy, and ensure consumer protection while facilitating economic development in Ohio.

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