The bill, introduced by Representative Klopfenstein, seeks to amend various sections of the Ohio Revised Code to enhance the regulatory framework for competitive retail electric services, public utility taxation, and the establishment of a brownfield remediation program. Key provisions include the creation of new definitions, such as "priority investment area eligible project," which pertains to activities for generating and transmitting electricity at brownfield or former coal mine sites. The bill allows legislative authorities to designate these areas as priority investment zones, exempting them from taxation for five years to stimulate redevelopment. Additionally, it establishes a brownfield remediation fund with a $10 million cap for grants, outlines eligibility and allocation processes, and introduces provisions to limit new discoveries in public utility commission cases.

Furthermore, the bill modifies existing laws regarding public utility valuation and reporting requirements, enhancing the commission's authority to investigate utility properties and ensuring transparency in the valuation process. It introduces new definitions and frameworks for assessing the value of various utilities, including natural gas and electric light companies, and mandates that utilities provide detailed financial reports when applying for rate changes. The legislation also emphasizes consumer protection by requiring electric distribution utilities to file rate case applications every three years and ensuring public notice of rate applications. Overall, the bill aims to modernize Ohio's energy generation and utility regulation while promoting economic revitalization and consumer protections in the energy sector.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 4906.04, 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, 5727.111, 5727.15, 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 House Committee: 122.6511, 4905.03, 4906.01, 4906.02, 4906.03, 4906.04, 4906.06, 4906.07, 4906.10, 4906.201, 4909.04, 4909.05, 4909.052, 4909.06, 4909.07, 4909.08, 4909.15, 4909.156, 4909.173, 4909.174, 4909.18, 4909.19, 4909.42, 4928.01, 4928.02, 4928.05, 4928.08, 4928.14, 4928.141, 4928.142, 4928.144, 4928.151, 4928.17, 4928.20, 4928.23, 4928.231, 4928.232, 4928.34, 4928.542, 4928.64, 4928.645, 4929.20, 4933.81, 4935.04, 5727.01, 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, 4906.105, 4928.143, 4928.148, 4928.47, 4928.642
As Passed By House: 122.6511, 4905.03, 4906.01, 4906.02, 4906.03, 4906.04, 4906.06, 4906.07, 4906.10, 4906.201, 4909.04, 4909.05, 4909.052, 4909.06, 4909.07, 4909.08, 4909.15, 4909.156, 4909.173, 4909.174, 4909.18, 4909.19, 4909.42, 4928.01, 4928.02, 4928.05, 4928.08, 4928.14, 4928.141, 4928.142, 4928.144, 4928.151, 4928.17, 4928.20, 4928.23, 4928.231, 4928.232, 4928.34, 4928.542, 4928.64, 4928.645, 4929.20, 4933.81, 4935.04, 5727.01, 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, 4906.105, 4928.143, 4928.148, 4928.47, 4928.642