Legislature passes half of governor's proposals

June 6, 2014 at 12:00a.m.

COLUMBUS

Lawmakers finished work on about half of the bills containing provisions initially proposed by Gov. John Kasich as part of his mid-biennium budget review.

One of those bills already has been signed into law, and half a dozen others await the governor’s final review and approval.

Kasich added his signature Thursday to House Bill 484, which focuses on higher-education-related law changes.

Among other provisions, the bill allows community and technical colleges to establish tuition-guarantee programs, freezing rates for students who earn their degrees within specified periods of time.

The bill also repeals enrollment limits at five universities, including Kent state; increases cooperation between colleges and universities and adult career centers; and links community-college funding to student graduation rates.

Other mid-biennium budget-review bills awaiting the governor’s signature include:

HB 486: Includes work-force development policy, including publishing a list of in-demand jobs and increased review of state workforce programs.

HB 488: Makes changes to assist Ohio’s military men and women. Among other provisions, the legislation calls for the development of a system to award college credits to veterans to account for their military training, prioritization and fee waivers for veterans submitting applications for licenses and certifications and protections against identity fraud.

HB 492: Makes changes to the state’s laws affecting motor-fuel excise and petroleum-activity taxes. The legislation also enables state officials to reduce certain tax credits when businesses fail to comply with loan terms.

HB 493: Outlined numerous changes to the state’s workers’-compensation laws, including requiring most employers to pay premiums on an annual basis instead of semiannually and allowing penalties against employers who make late payments.