128TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY BILL SYNOPSES

HB 14 (DeGeeter):

Subject: State of the State address time change

Introduced in the House on 2/17/09 and referred to the State Government Committee. It is still pending further consideration.

Requires the Governor's State of the State Address be delivered on a weeknight at 7:00pm. Traditionally the State of the State Address has been delivered at 12:00pm, which hinders the majority of working Ohioans from viewing this informative speech. HB 14 not only allows more Ohio citizens to view the State of the State address, but also facilitates a more open and inclusive state government.

HB 111 (DeGeeter):

Subject: Internet Auctions

Introduced in the House on 3/31/09 and referred to the Local Government/Public Administration Committee.

Amended into House Bill 1, the Operating Budget Bill

Permits non-chartered municipalities to use internet auction websites for selling city property that is "not needed for municipal purposes" that limit their auction lengths to ten days or less. Due to the current law, non-chartered municipalities that wish to auction certain city property must leave the auction open for at least 15 days, thus prohibiting non-chartered cities from using the most popular internet auction website, or E-Bay, which allows auctions to last only ten days at the most. HB 111 allows communities to maximize the value of their assets and to reinvest those funds into services and goods for their communities.

HB 162 (DeGeeter, Dodd):

Subject: Increase speed limit to 70mph on certain rural interstates

Introduced in the House on 4/29/09 and referred to the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. It is still pending further consideration.

Increases the speed limit for passenger vehicles and commercial buses from 65 miles per hour to 70 miles per hour on certain rural interstate freeways. The idea for this legislation was prompted by the passage of a provision in House Bill 2, the Transportation Budget, which increases the speed limit for large motor vehicles and noncommercial buses from 55 miles per hour to 65 miles per hour on certain interstate freeways

HB 185 (DeGeeter, Book):

Subject: Material Amendments in Healthcare Contracts Introduced in the House on 5/19/09 and referred to the Civil and Commercial Law Committee.

Passed out of the House on 10/21/09

Introduced in the Senate on 10/22/09 and referred to the Insurance, Commerce and Labor Committee. It is still pending consideration

Ensures a material amendment to a health care contract does not become part of the contract unless agreed upon by both parties. The 127th General Assembly enacted House Bill 125, The Healthcare Simplification Act, in order to create transparency and fairness in the contracting process between health insurers and physicians. An important aspect of HB 125, prohibiting unilateral material contractual amendments, has not had its intended effect in the healthcare marketplace and this legislation simply ensures the original intent of prohibiting unilateral material contractual amendments in HB 125.

HB 289 (DeGeeter, Coley)

Subject: Display of Service Flags

Introduced in the House on 9/29/09 and referred to the Veterans Affairs Committee. It is still pending further consideration.

Prohibits condominium associations, neighborhood associations, and landlords from restricting the display of blue star banners, gold star banners, and other service flags, and prohibits landlords from restricting the display of the United States flag.

HB 403 (DeGeeter)

Subject: CERT legislation

Introduced in the House on 1/15/10 and passed out of the Local Government and Public Administration Committee on 5/12/10.

Enables a city to create and/or operate a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) within the municipality’s Public Safety Department.  The bill will provide governmental immunity to Parma CERT and its volunteers. By ensuring liability protection for CERTs and its volunteers, the intent is that this will encourage the formation of new CERTs and boost volunteerism and safety.

HB 529 (DeGeeter)

Subject: Consumer Protection legislation

Introduced in the House on 5/24/10 and referred to the Consumer Affairs & Economic Protection Committee

Prohibits companies from engaging in the scheme of making unsolicited and unlawful charges to consumers’ credit and/or debit cards through the deceptive practice known as “negative option” marketing. The bill will require written authorization from a consumer before charging the consumer's account.

Legislation of the 127th General Assembly
Legislation of the 126th General Assembly

For more information about Rep. DeGeeter's legislation, visit www.legislature.state.oh.us.