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HR 409

Honoring Rylan Seacrist as a Division I State wrestling champion.

136th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Mike Dovilla and 1 co-sponsor

HB409 would bar Ohio lawmakers from accepting free or discounted sports tickets to reduce potential ethical conflicts.

Adopted
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HR 409

Summary of Ohio House Bill 409 (136th General Assembly)

Note: This summary covers the introduced version of HB 409, as circulated in the 136th General Assembly. It focuses on the bill’s stated purpose, key provisions, potential impact, and procedural context.

1) Purpose and Intent

  • The primary objective of House Bill 409 is to prohibit members of the Ohio General Assembly from receiving free or discounted tickets to sporting events.
  • The bill falls under the broad subject of ethics in state and local government.

2) Key Provisions

  • Prohibition on free or discounted sports tickets: The core substantive change would amend section 102.031 of the Revised Code to bar state legislators from accepting free or reduced-price tickets to sporting events.
  • The text of the bill itself is introduced and would become enforceable as law if enacted, amended, and signed into law.

Note: The bill’s language in the posted materials reflects the introduced version, and specific exemptions or enforcement mechanisms (e.g., definitions, prohibitions for certain family members, sanctions for violations, reporting requirements) are not detailed in the provided summary. If enacted, those elements would be clarified in the final statute.

3) Who Would Be Affected

  • Primary Affected Officials: Members of the Ohio General Assembly (both House of Representatives and Senate) would be prohibited from accepting free or discounted sporting event tickets.
  • Related Stakeholders: Any offices that issue or control gifts or perks to legislators, lobbyists, and indirectly the organizations that provide event tickets to lawmakers.

4) Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Introduced in the Ohio House of Representatives and assigned to the House General Government Committee.
  • The bill’s status in the Senate, any committee referrals, floor votes, and a potential gubernatorial action are not provided in the material.
  • The action history record shows “Adopted” on 2026-04-30 at the sponsor level, suggesting progress within the committee/house process as of that date.
  • If enacted, the bill would move through the standard legislative process: passage by the House, passage by the Senate, and eventual signature by the Governor, unless vetoed or overridden.

5) Additional Context

  • Subjects: State and Local Government: Ethics.
  • Committee: House General Government Committee.
  • Primary Sponsors:
    • Sean P. Brennan (District 14, Democrat)
    • Karen Brownlee (District 28, Democrat)
  • Co-sponsors: Juanita O. Brent, Chris Glassburn, Lauren McNally; additional co-sponsors noted as Phil Robinson and Mike Dovilla.

6) Practical Implications

  • If enacted, the change would reduce potential conflicts of interest or perceived ethical concerns associated with lawmakers receiving complimentary or discounted sporting tickets.
  • It would require lawmakers to decline such tickets or ensure tickets are obtained through permissible channels under the new statute, aligning activities with ethics standards.

Recommendation for Readers

For a complete understanding, review the final enacted text (if passed) to identify any exceptions, definitions (e.g., what counts as “free or discounted” and what constitutes a “sporting event”), enforcement mechanisms, penalties for violations, and any grandfathering provisions or transitional rules.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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