----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Christine Matacic" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, March 02, 2010 7:47 AM
Subject: [Fwd: Legislative Update & Info]


> ---------------------------- Original Message ----------------------------
> Subject: Legislative Update & Info
> From:    "Heidi Fought" <[log in to unmask]>
> Date:    Mon, March 1, 2010 4:49 pm
> To:
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> News at the Statehouse:
>
> Board of Tax Appeals - Reduction in Revenue for Local Governments
>
> There is a very serious threat to another local government funding
> source.  Currently, local governments receive from the state a
> reimbursement for the 10% rollback of property taxes. At this time, the
> Ohio State Bar Association is proposing that a portion of the rollback
> reimbursement from each entity be redirected to help fund the Board of
> Tax Appeals, which had their budget slashed in the last budget bill by
> the members of the General Assembly and Governor.  The Chairman of the
> House Ways and Means Committee has suggested that the BTA funding
> request of $1,038,000 is not sufficient and should be more in the
> neighborhood of $2.5 M. Additionally, he has informed interested parties
> that whatever solution is suggested will not be a short term or
> temporary solution and that a permanent and predictable funding source
> for the BTA, outside of the state general revenue fund, is essential.
>
> You are strongly encouraged to contact your Ohio House and Senate
> members and express your opposition to the erosion of local government
> funding, especially when the state cut the original funding for the
> program and now local governments are being asked to foot the bill.
>
>
>
> SB 165 OIL & GAS WELLS (Niehaus) Revises laws governing oil and gas
> wells.
>
> SB 165 was changed to remove even MORE local authority.  SB 165 was
> modified in December 2009 to allow ODNR the authority to permit, locate
> and regulate production operations, including some compressor stations
> and transfer stations on a case-by-case basis.  ODNR having sole
> authority means stations may be approved under cover without any
> involvement by localities, zoning or public hearings.  These stations
> are reported nationwide to cause major noise and air pollution. As an
> example, a compressor station in Tuscarawas has a deafening roar of 90
> decibels every few minutes, day and night.  The change also gives ODNR
> this sole authority over access roads.
>
> Please call members of the Ohio House Agriculture and Natural Resources
> Committee, as well as your House member, to STRIKE THE LANGUAGE:
> "PRODUCTION OPERATIONS" in the bill pending before the Committee.
>
>
>
>
>
> Hearings at the Statehouse this week:
>
> COMMITTEE SCHEDULE FOR WEEK OF MARCH 1
>
> Tuesday, March 2
>
> House Aging & Disability Services, (Chr. Newcomb, 466-1405), Rm. 115, 3
> p.m.
>
> HB 246
>
> OP&F DISEASE COVERAGE (Yuko) To provide that a firefighter, police
> officer, or public emergency medical services worker who is disabled as
> a result of specified types of cancer or certain contagious or
> infectious diseases is presumed for purposes of the laws governing
> workers' compensation and the Ohio Police and Fire Pension Fund to have
> incurred the disease while performing official duties as a firefighter,
> police officer, or public emergency medical services worker.  (2nd
> Hearing-All testimony)
>
> The Ohio Township Association opposes this legislation and will be
> providing testimony in conjunction with the Ohio Municipal League.
>
>
>
> Wednesday, March 3
>
> Senate Agriculture, (Chr. Schuring, 466-0626), North Hearing Rm., 9 a.m.
>
> SB 233
>
> LIVESTOCK CARE  (Gibbs) To establish requirements and responsibilities
> of the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board and the Director of
> Agriculture in administering and enforcing the rules adopted by the
> Board that govern the care and well-being of livestock in this state and
> to make an appropriation.  (1st Hearing-Sponsor (Pending referral))
>
>
>
> House Financial Institutions, Real Estate & Securities, (Ch Koziura,
> 466-5141), Rm 116, 10am
>
> HB 317
>
> CREDIT UNIONS  (Heard, Ujvagi)  To authorize credit unions to be
> eligible public depositories, to make credit union loans eligible for
> certain economic development assistance programs, and to permit certain
> public investments to be made through a credit union.  (2nd Hearing-All
> testimony)
>
>
>
> House Local Government and Public Administration, (Ch Chandler), Rm 114,
> 10am
>
> HB 220
>
> PUBLIC NOTICE (Chandler)  To implement the recommendations of the Local
> Government Public Notice Task Force by authorizing legal publication to
> be made in a newspaper of general circulation, eliminating certain
> publication and postal privilege requirements, reducing the number of
> times publication must be made, requiring newspapers to establish a
> government rate for publication, allowing publication of a summary of an
> ordinance rather than publishing it in its entirety, and allowing the
> costs of publishing delinquent property tax lists to be charged to
> delinquent taxpayers. (1st Hearing-Sponsor)
>
> HB 393
>
> TOWNSHIP NUISANCES (Gerberry, Blessing) To revise the notice required to
> be provided by a board of township trustees to a landowner for the
> abatement, control, or removal of vegetation, garbage, refuse, or other
> debris from the owner's land. (4th Hearing - All testimony, PV)
>
>
>
> House State Government, (Chr. Gerberry, 466-6107), Rm. 017, 2:30 p.m. or
> after session
>
> HB 445
>
> ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICTS (Letson) To establish local entertainment
> districts in municipal corporations or unincorporated areas of counties
> of specified populations for the purpose of the issuance of D-1, D-2,
> and D-5 liquor permits under specified conditions.  (1st
> Hearing-Sponsor)
>
> HB 436
>
> GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS  (Balderson, Boose)  To authorize a state agency
> to contract out its provision of a good or service to a private
> contractor under specific contractual provisions; to require the state
> agency to prepare a business case before executing such a contract; to
> create the Council on Efficient Government to review business cases,
> issue advisory reports, and undertake other duties regarding contracting
> out the provision of a good or service; to require the Council to
> prepare an annual report; and to require the Governor to select goods or
> services that could be provided by a private contractor and submit the
> selections for Council review.  (1st Hearing-Sponsor)
>
>
>
> Senate Energy & Public Utilities, (Chr. Widener, 466-3780), Finance
> Hearing Rm., 3:30 p.m.
>
> SB 116
>
> RAILROAD MAINTENANCE (Buehrer) To authorize the Public Utilities
> Commission to hear complaints regarding a railroad's failure to properly
> sustain certain areas near its tracks and to authorize forfeiture for
> noncompliance and to update certain provisions of law governing
> railroads.  (4th Hearing-All testimony-Possible vote)
>
> SB 232
>
> RENEWABLE ENERGY (Widener) To exempt from property taxation renewable
> energy facilities that are not financed through the Ohio Air Quality
> Development Authority and to require a payment in lieu of taxes on the
> basis of each megawatt of production capacity of such facilities.  (1st
> Hearing-Sponsor-Pending referral)
>
>
>
>
>
> Introduced last week:
>
> HB 456 ESTATE TAX (Okey) To repeal the estate tax effective January 1,
> 2011.
> This bill has been referred to the House Ways & Means Committee chaired
> by Rep. Tom Letson.  The OTA strongly encourages townships to express
> their view on this piece of legislation.  Urge Chair Letson and other
> members of the House Ways & Means Committee (and the House) to include
> an alternative revenue source for townships if they eliminate the estate
> tax, as local governments receive 80% of the revenue from the estate
> tax.
>
>
>
> SB 232 RENEWABLE ENERGY (Widener) To exempt from property taxation
> renewable energy facilities that are not financed through the Ohio Air
> Quality Development Authority and to require a payment in lieu of taxes
> on the basis of each megawatt of production capacity of such facilities.
> Am. 3706.01 and 3706.041
>
> This bill is the Senate's version of a bill to address green energy
> projects. The OTA is working with the County Commissioners, School
> Boards, and other interested parties to make sure that local tax revenue
> is still provided to local governments.
>
>
>
> HB 459 TOWNSHIP FUNDS (Dyer) To authorize a board of township trustees
> to require that interest earned on a special fund be credited to that
> special fund, rather than to the general fund.
>
> The OTA supports this permissive piece of legislation.
>
>
>
>
>
> Census Update
>
> The Census Bureau is making available to all of its 2010 Census
> Government Agency Partners, digital promotional tools for placement on
> your Web sites and an html signature add-on that will link people to the
> 2010.census.gov and Census Bureau social media networking sites.  By
> implementing these tools on your sites, you can help us reach millions
> of people and increase awareness and motivation about participation in
> the 2010 Census.
>
>
>
> There are three digital promotional tools:
> * An html digital email signature add-on to your email signature
> * A 2010 Census Countdown Clock Web site Widget
> * 2010 Census logo and/or banners for your Web site
>
>
>
> We encourage everyone to help us make the 2010 Census the best count of
> America's population ever and we thank you for your contributions to the
> 2010 Census Integrated Communications Campaign.
>
>
>
> Instructions to Downloading and Using Digital Promotional Tools:
> <blocked::http://links.govdelivery.com/track?type=click&enid=bWFpbGluZ2l
> kPTcyODM3OCZtZXNzYWdlaWQ9UFJELUJVTC03MjgzNzgmZGF0YWJhc2VpZD0xMDAxJnNlcml
> hbD0xMjE1Njk0OTgxJmVtYWlsaWQ9YXByaWwucmFmZmF5QGRldmVsb3BtZW50Lm9oaW8uZ29
> 2JnVzZXJpZD1hcHJpbC5yYWZmYXlAZGV2ZWxvcG1lbnQub2hpby5nb3YmZXh0cmE9JiYm&&&
> 100&&&http://2010.census.gov/partners/promotional/>
>
> If your Web site staff needs help with implementing any of these digital
> tools, please contact: Ms. Schere.Y.Johnson,
> [log in to unmask]
> <mailto:[log in to unmask]>  or call her at
> 301-763-3620.
>
>
>
>
>
> Candidates for 2010
>
> The firm that the OTA employs to help us lobby at the General Assembly
> has compiled a list of candidates, as they filed last month, for
> statewide races, the US House, US Senate and Ohio House and Senate.
> Please find attached an election list for your reference.
>
>
>
>
>
> IRS Webinar Regarding 1099s
>
> Free Webinar on Form 1099-MISC Reporting
>
> The Internal Revenue Service invites you to attend a free on-line
> webinar specifically designed for State and Local Governments:
>
> Subject:            1099 MISC Filing Requirements for State & Local
> Governments
>
> When:               March 30, 2010
>
> Duration:          60 Minutes
>
> Presented by:  Federal, State and Local Governments Division of TE/GE
>
> Learn About:
>
> - Who is required to file?
>
> - What type of entities do I send a 1099 MISC to?
>
> - How do I secure their tax identifying number?
>
> - What type of payments are subject to 1099 MISC reporting?
>
> - What is Backup Withholding?
>
> - How do I deposit Backup Withholding?
>
> Registration:
>
> REGISTER & ATTEND
>
> (Click on the link to register and attend the session)
>
>   EASTERN
>
> http://www.visualwebcaster.com/event.asp?id=65909
>
> 2 p.m.
>
>
>
> Works Compensation - Safety Congress
>
> Ohio employers are encouraged to register for the upcoming Ohio Safety
> Congress & Expo, sponsored by the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation
> (BWC).  Safety Congress is the largest occupational safety and health
> event in the Midwest. Safety Congress features diverse programming on
> the latest advances in occupational safety and health to prevent
> occupational accidents and injuries and reduce workers' compensation
> costs. This free, three-day event will be held March 30 through April 1
> at the Greater Columbus Convention Center.
>
>
>
> "The key to saving money on workers' compensation insurance premiums is
> investing in the safety of our workforces," said BWC Administrator
> Marsha Ryan.  "BWC recognizes that employers are busy serving the needs
> of their customers. Safety Congress is designed to give them a one-stop
> opportunity to gain knowledge about the latest safety advances,
> techniques and products to help prevent workplace illnesses and
> injuries."
>
>
>
> Safety Congress offers informative general sessions featuring
> nationally-recognized experts, safety demonstrations and roundtable
> discussions designed to give employers a chance to problem solve with
> their peers. This year, BWC has expanded the educational component of
> Safety Congress by offering more than 150 courses that cover many areas
> related to workplace safety and workers' compensation claims management.
> For the first time, many of these courses will fulfill BWC safety
> program requirements and allow participants to earn free continuing
> education credits (CEU).
>
>
>
> The Expo Marketplace will be held on March 31 and April 1 and features
> more than 200 vendors of safety products, tools, personal protective
> equipment and services. The Expo allows Ohio businesses to have
> first-hand information about the most current safety products and
> equipment, view demonstrations, and build lasting beneficial
> relationships with the manufacturers and distributors of these products.
>
>
>
>
> While the event is free, employers are encouraged to pre-register online
> at ohiobwc.com
> <http://www.ohiobwc.com/employer/programs/safety/SafetyCongress.asp> .
> Classes will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. On-site
> registration will also be available.
>
>
>
>