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 provisions include stipulations that a regional council that is an MPO cannot have a majority of voting members from any single county, and that the chief executive officer of such an MPO must not hold employment outside of Ohio. Additionally, the bill clarifies that the governing body of an MPO must also adhere to the same requirement regarding representation from counties.

The bill further establishes a process for eligible counties—defined as those where a significant portion of the workforce commutes to an adjoining county in a different MPO—to request redesignation into a different MPO through a resolution to the governor. The governor is required to respond to such requests within sixty days. Furthermore, the bill mandates that MPOs cannot adopt policies that are more stringent than existing state and federal regulations. The existing sections 167.02 and 167.04 are repealed, streamlining the legal framework governing these councils and organizations.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 167.02, 167.04