129th General Assembly www.ohiosenate.

gov

OHIO SENATE COMMITTEES

The formal roll call votes during Senate sessions may give the impression that every vote has been decided in advance. This is indeed the case because in-depth examination of legislation takes place in committee hearings. Following a bill's introduction, it is assigned to one of the Senate's fifteen standing committees. During committee meetings, bills are debated and amended and members of the general public and interested parties are given the opportunity to contribute testimonies. Witnesses are not under oath, as in a courtroom, but they must register with the committee chairperson at the beginning of the hearing and are encouraged to provide written testimony.

Agriculture, Environment & Natural Resources

The Senate Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources Committee reviews legislation impacting the agriculture and liquor industry in the State of Ohio and oversees Ohios wildlife, forests, and parks and recreation, as well as state conservation policies regarding soil, mineral, and water resources. Bills need five votes to pass out of this committee.

Education
The Senate Education Committee is responsible for reviewing all legislation affecting primary and secondary education policy, as well as addressing changes in law that may impact higher education. Other areas of focus for this committee include issues concerning pre-school and Head Start programs. The chair of the Senate Education Committee serves as a non-voting ex officio member of both the State Board of Education and the Ohio Board of Regents. Bills need five votes to pass out of this committee.

Energy & Public Utilities

The Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee addresses legislation that regulates and oversees providers of gas, electric, cable television, and telephone services. Bills need seven votes to pass out of this committee.

Finance
The Senate Finance Committee oversees legislation impacting the expenditure of state funds. The Committee is responsible for balancing the state's operating and capital budgets. Bills need seven votes to pass out of this committee.

Financial Institutions
The Senate Financial Institutions Committee oversees legislation impacting the regulation of financial institutions, including banks, credit unions, and savings and loans. The Committee also makes recommendations to the full Senate for the advice and consent of governors appointments to financial boards, commissions, and university trustees. Bills need five votes to pass of this committee.

Government Oversight & Reform

The Senate Government Oversight and Reform Committee promotes increased accountability, transparency and reform in the operation of state government offices and agencies. Bills need five votes to pass out of this committee.

Health, Human Services & Aging

The Senate Health, Human Services and Aging Committee reviews legislation pertaining to the health care industry in Ohio, which encompasses urgent care centers, out-of-pocket co-payment and traditional fee-for-service systems. Bills need give votes to pass of out this committee.

Highways & Transportation

The Senate Highways and Transportation Committee creates and revises legislation regarding transportation issues facing Ohioans, as well as policies pertaining to the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles, the State Highway Patrol, the Ohio Department of Public Safety, and the Ohio Turnpike Commission. The committee is responsible for balancing the state's biennial transportation budget, which must be enacted by April 1st of every odd year. Bills need five votes to pass out of this committee.

Insurance, Commerce & Labor

The Senate Insurance, Commerce and Labor Committee focuses on bills, policies and issues that directly impact the insurance industry, commerce and the labor market. The committee conducts public hearings on the budgets of the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation and the Ohio Industrial Commission. Bills need seven votes to pass out of this committee.

Judiciary
The Judiciary Committee focuses on bills, policies and issues that directly impact civil, criminal and commercial law. Bills need six votes to pass out of this committee.

Rules & Reference

After a bill receives a first reading, which is a reading of the title by the Senate Clerk on the Senate floor, it is sent to the Rules and Reference Committee to determine the agenda for each Senate session and refer legislation, including bills, joint resolutions and concurrent resolutions, to the appropriate standing committee. Bills, resolutions and appointments that have been favorably recommended by the Senate standing committees are reviewed by the Rules and Reference Committee. The Rules and Reference Committee then selects which bills, resolutions and appointments will be considered by the full Senate. Although rare, bills can be amended in Rules and Reference Committee. Bills also may be sent directly to the floor for immediate consideration by the full Senate. To pass out of this committee, bills need six votes.

State and Local Government & Veterans Affairs

The Senate State and Local Government and Veterans Affairs Committee focuses on bills, policies and issues that directly impact the roles and responsibilities of state and local governments. The committee also oversees issues affecting veterans and veteran organizations. Bills need five votes to pass out of this committee.

Ways and Means & Economic Development

The Senate Ways and Means and Economic Development Committee oversees legislation that affects state and local government revenues, tax collection and economic development. Bills need five votes to pass out of this committee.

State Senator Nina Turner Minority Whip | 25th District 1 Capitol Square, Room 223 Columbus, Ohio 43215 614/466.4583 turner@ohiosenate.gov