The bill amends sections 167.02 and 167.04 of the Revised Code and enacts new sections 713.41, 713.42, and 713.43, focusing on the governance and structure of regional councils of government and metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) in Ohio. Key changes include stipulating that a regional council that is an MPO cannot have a majority of voting members from any single county, ensuring a more equitable representation across the participating political subdivisions. Additionally, the bill mandates that the chief executive officer of an MPO must not hold employment outside of Ohio, reinforcing the commitment to local governance.

Furthermore, the bill introduces provisions for eligible counties to request a redesignation into a different MPO if a significant portion of their workforce commutes to an adjoining county in a different MPO. The governor is tasked with determining the validity of such requests within sixty days. The new sections also clarify that MPOs cannot adopt policies that are more stringent than existing state and federal regulations, thereby maintaining consistency in governance standards. Existing sections 167.02 and 167.04 are repealed, streamlining the legal framework governing these councils.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 167.02, 167.04