43
State bill bans local laws to block puppy mills, increase minimum wage
By Marc Kovac
COLUMBUS
State lawmakers moved bills Wednesday that would allow concealed firearms on college campuses and in day-care centers, prevent communities from raising the minimum wage above state limits, block local ordinances restricting the sale of puppy mill puppies and prohibit sex with animals.
All of the provisions were included in two bills – SB 331 and HB 48 – that passed the Ohio House and Senate, respectively, on split votes and, pending concurrence by the chambers, will head to Gov. John Kasich for his signature and final enactment.
It was the second of two whirlwind days at the Statehouse, as the Ohio House and Senate attempted to complete the final work of their two-year session before the end of the week. Wednesday’s proceedings followed the late-night passage of legislation Tuesday that would ban abortions within weeks of conception; the Heartbeat Bill now heads to Gov. John Kasich’s desk for his consideration.
And lawmakers aren’t yet finished with their lame-duck voting. Today, legislation could move to temporarily reform the state’s unemployment compensation system, block law enforcement from confiscating property without criminal charges and revamp formerly required renewable energy and efficiency standards.
SB 331 became something of a catch-all bill, with the final version including a number of amendments covering everything from animal abuse to regulations for the installation of micro-wireless antennae on public infrastructure.
The legislation initially was referred to as the Petland Bill, with language regulating the sale of dogs at pet stores if the animals are obtained from sources other than rescue groups or qualified breeders or retailers. It also included preemption language, stating that “the regulation of pet stores is a matter of general statewide interest that requires statewide regulation…,” according to an analysis by Legislative Service Commission.
“Accordingly, the bill specifies that it is the intent of the General Assembly to preempt any local ordinance, resolution or law adopted to regulate the sale, delivery, barter, auction, broker or transfer of a dog to a person from a pet store.”
Opponents of the legislation say the language is directed at laws adopted in Grove City and Toledo to restrict the sale of puppy mill dogs.
“We strongly oppose this bill because it will not protect animals or consumers, will strip the right of localities to regulate problematic local businesses and will be nearly impossible to enforce,” Corey Roscoe, state director of the Humane Society of the United States, said in testimony to the Ohio House’s Finance Committee before Wednesday’s vote.
SB 331 was amended by the Ohio House to include other measures to preempt local laws, including language blocking communities from establishing a minimum wage that is higher than the rate set by the Ohio Constitution and state law.
Cleveland voters were set to decide next year on a $15 minimum wage; the state’s current rate is $8.10 for non-tipped employees, but it will increase to $8.15 in January.
“Here we are trying to grow jobs and the economy, and the last thing we want to do is set up a way that we could have varied minimum wages around the state that’s going to help destroy the economy,” said Rep. Jim Buchy of Greenville, R-84th, in urging support for the bill.
Business groups also supported the language. The National Federation of Independent Businesses of Ohio noted in committee testimony, “SB 331 ensures that small businesses and their employees establish policies with respect to wages, scheduling notification and other benefits. Permitting municipalities to establish varying, contradictory rules makes compliance for any small business challenging. For our members operating in multiple jurisdictions, differing wage, scheduling and benefit laws not only causes confusion, it creates disparity amongst similarly situated employees.”
But union groups, Democratic lawmakers and others said the legislation would hurt communities’ home rule authority.
“We are deeply concerned about the impact this will have for working people across Ohio,” Becky Williams, president of the Service Employees International Union District 1199, said in a released statement.
Other language added by the House would outlaw bestiality and prohibit betting, attending or otherwise associating with cockfighting, bearbaiting and any other activities pitting one animal against another.
In a vote just before 11:30 p.m., HB 48 passed the Ohio Senate, 23-9. Among other provisions, it would lift restrictions on carrying concealed weapons in day care centers or homes, on private aircrafts or in other government buildings. It would not cover police stations and other secured facilities, including the Statehouse, but does cover public universities, if those campuses’ governing bodies authorize it.