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Editor’s Note: A new feature begins with this edition of Buckeye Farm News. "Legislation Update" is being added in response to reader requests for brief commentary on laws pending in the state and federal government. This column will appear as needed to keep you apprised of legislative issues of importance to members of Ohio Farm Bureau.

At the beginning of each new session of the Ohio General Assembly, both chambers of the legislature introduce a number of "in concert" bills. The purpose is to spell out the priority issues that the House and Senate intend to pursue during the new session. Following is a synopsis of those in concert bills. OFBF’s involvement with these initiatives will vary, based on the priorities established by our state policy directives.

Technology Tax Credits

House Sponsor: Thomas Patton (R), District 18

Senate Sponsor: Ron Amstutz (R), District 22

Increases the maximum amount of technology investments eligible for a tax credit, creates the Ohio Research Commercialization Grant Program, increases the maximum amount of obligations that may be issued to fund economic development programs, creates the Research and Development Loan Fund and grants tax credits for qualified research and development loan payments.

Teaching Success

House Sponsor: Clyde Evans (R), District 87

Senate Sponsor: Robert Gardner (R), District 18

Directs the General Assembly's ongoing efforts to improve the quality of teaching in Ohio including provisions recommended by the Governor's Commission on Teaching Success.

Public School Accountability

House Sponsor: John Schlichter (R), District 85

Senate Sponsor: Randy Gardner (R), District 2

Directs the General Assembly's deliberations to modify the state public school accountability system.

MR/DD Crime Victims

House Sponsor: Jeff Wagner (R), District 81

Senate Sponsor: Robert Spada (R), District 24

Implements the recommendations of the Mental Retardation/Development Disabilities Victims of Crime Task Force.

Sex Offender Notification

House Sponsor: Kathleen Walcher (R), District 58

Senate Sponsor: Jeff Jacobson (R), District 6

Modifies the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Law by adopting most of the recommendations of the Governor's Sex Offender Registration and Notification Task Force, generally conforming the law to federal guidelines, providing a penalty for failing to send a notice of intent to reside, clarifying that habitual sex offenders in another jurisdiction are habitual sex offenders under Ohio law, clarifying the law's community notification provisions as applied to multi-resident buildings, and specifying that convictions in courts of foreign nations are sexually oriented offenses under the law.

Bioterrorism

House Sponsor: Jimmy Stewart (R), District 92

Senate Sponsor: Steve Stivers (R), District 16

Directs the General Assembly in its deliberations regarding bioterrorism.

Corporate Governance and Securities

House Sponsor: Mary Taylor (R), District 43

Senate Sponsor: Kevin Coughlin (R), District 27

Modifies the Corporation Law regarding special meetings of shareholders in connection with tender offers; controls share acquisition bids; modifies the Securities Law with respect to securities to which it applies, requirements for registration of securities, the designation of the secretary of state to receive service of process, the application of remedies under the Securities Law, the attorney general's enforcement authority on behalf of persons injured by a violation, the statutes of limitations governing an action for specified violations, and the prohibitions against certain misleading actions; and increases the criminal penalty for certain theft offenses and creates a new criminal aggravated theft offense.