Ohio Statehouse

It has been six weeks since the Ohio General Assembly convened to pass HB 197, which contained several emergency protocols for the COVID-19 crisis including the March 17, 2020 primary. Both chambers were in session this week, however, again working on COVID-19 related legislation.

The Ohio Senate amended and passed SB 310 on Wednesday, which will distribute $350 million from the dollars Ohio received in the CARES Act to local governments for the purpose of offsetting COVID-19 expenses. The bill will take effect immediately after Gov. Mike DeWine’s signature, but the Ohio House will have to pass it first. It is scheduled to meet again next week, which is the earliest representatives will be able to take up the legislation.

The Ohio House amended two pieces of legislation to limit the authority of the Director of the Ohio Department of Health. SB 1 was amended to say an order issued by the Ohio Department of Health will expire after 14 days. The order will then go to the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review to vote on whether or not it is to be extended beyond the 14 days. SB 55 also was amended to remove criminal penalties attached to the violation of a pandemic-related order from the Ohio Department of Health or a local health department. As early as next week, the Ohio Senate will have to decide whether to concur with the House’s changes or reject them.

The issue of property taxation remains as one of the biggest challenges our members face today. Ensuring agricultural property is valued for its agricultural potential and not development is critical to the continued success of Ohio agriculture.
Matt Aultman's avatar
Matt Aultman

Darke County Farm Bureau

Giving farmers a voice
The plan we are on is great. It’s comparable to my previous job's plan, and we are a sole proprietor.
Kevin Holy's avatar
Kevin Holy

Geauga County Farm Bureau

Ohio Farm Bureau Health Benefits Plan
I could not have done it without the resources I have found through Farm Bureau.
Gretchan Francis's avatar
Gretchan Francis

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

Bringing the farm back to life
We really appreciate what Farm Bureau has done to get people interested in this line of work and workforce development and getting people interested in this industry.
Jody Brown Boyd's avatar
Jody Brown Boyd

Brown's Family Farm Market

Finding farm labor
We work terrifically with the Ashtabula County Farm Bureau, hosting at least one to two outreach town hall events every year to educate new farmers and existing farmers on traditional CAUV and woodlands.
David Thomas's avatar
David Thomas

Ashtabula County Auditor

CAUV: Past, present and future
Because we are younger farmers just starting out, Farm Bureau has a lot of good opportunities and resources to help us grow in the future.
Hannah Kiser's avatar
Hannah Kiser

Sandusky County Farm Bureau

Farm Bureau involvement
Through the Select Partner program, we became educated in farm insurance and weren't just selling policies. It became more and more clear why farmers need an advocate like Ohio Farm Bureau.
Chad Ruhl's avatar
Chad Ruhl

Farm manager, CSI Insurance

Select Partner Program
So many of the issues that OFBF and its members are advocating for are important to all Ohioans. I look at OFBF as an agricultural watchdog advocating for farmers and rural communities across Ohio.
Mary Smallsreed's avatar
Mary Smallsreed

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

Advocacy
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