The bill amends sections 505.01 and 505.82 of the Revised Code and enacts section 505.013, allowing the electors of certain townships with a population of twenty thousand or more to increase the membership of their boards of township trustees from three to five members. The process for this increase involves the electors filing a petition with the board of elections, which must be signed by ten percent of the total votes cast for governor in the most recent election. If a majority of voters approve the measure in a subsequent election, two additional trustees will be elected. Conversely, the bill also provides a mechanism for townships with five trustees to decrease their membership back to three, following a similar petition and voting process.

Additionally, the bill modifies the voting requirements for boards with five members, changing the necessary votes for certain actions from a two-thirds majority to a three-fifths majority. It also stipulates that if a township's population falls below twenty thousand, the board will revert to electing only one trustee at each general election until the population increases again. The bill includes provisions for emergency powers of the board of township trustees, allowing them to act swiftly in situations threatening life or property, and outlines the procedures for snow and debris removal from undedicated roads. Existing sections 505.01 and 505.82 are repealed as part of this legislative update.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 505.01, 505.82