The Ohio House on Oct. 8 passed House Bill 309 to clarify the authority and responsibilities of county budget commissions in reviewing local tax budgets and levies. Sponsors said the measure brings uniformity to a process that varies across counties and could limit unexpected local tax increases.

Representative Romer, who spoke to the bill on the floor, described the county budget commission as a three-member local oversight body (the prosecutor, the auditor and the treasurer) and said auditors had testified that practices differ by county. “What we wanted to do is we wanted to bring uniformity to the county budget commission, which provides oversight for levies in those counties,” Romer said.

Representative Troy said the bill largely codifies what some counties already do and includes a provision adopted after the governor’s working group recommendation that a commission may not reduce an existing levy until it has been in place at least five years. Troy and other speakers urged caution that commissions use the clarified authority carefully and consider long-range liabilities such as Medicaid matches and debt service when reviewing budgets.

Representative Tims spoke in opposition on principle, arguing elected officials should not override voters’ choices at the ballot box and urging lawmakers to pursue other relief measures such as expanding the homestead exemption.

Representative Dave Thomas argued the bill places the burden of proof on local governments to demonstrate tax needs and pointed to counties that used budget commission authority to prevent spikes. The House vote was 75 affirmative and 19 negative; with the constitutional majority met, the bill passed and the title was agreed to.

Supporters said the bill is a first step to address property-tax pressures but not a comprehensive cure; they emphasized continued dialogue and additional reforms would be needed.