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Bill

HB 912

Create the State and Municipal Government Commission

136th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Melanie Miller

Creates a State and Municipal Government Commission to analyze how state policies affect municipal home rule and coordinate funding and governance implications.

Referred to committee
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Bill Summary · HB 912

Summary of HB 912 (House Bill, 136th General Assembly, Ohio)

Purpose and intent

  • Establishes the State and Municipal Government Commission (the commission) within Ohio to analyze, coordinate, and report on issues affecting municipal home rule authority and the interaction between state policies and municipal governance.
  • Aims to enhance collaboration between state and municipal leaders and to assess fiscal implications of state actions on municipalities.

Key provisions and changes

  • Creation of the State and Municipal Government Commission (Section 701.11).
  • Core duties (A):
    • Analyze and report on proposed state policies and rules that could impact municipal home rule authority.
    • Enhance collaboration opportunities between state and municipal leaders.
    • Make recommendations to state and municipal leaders on municipal authority, policy, and funding implications of proposed state policies.
    • Discuss and consider state and municipal government revenue sharing, grant programs, and other matters related to municipal fiscal health.
  • Commission composition (B):
    • 13 members total, including:
    • Director of Development or designee (chair).
    • Governor-appointed members: 2 mayors from large municipalities (population ≥ 60,000) and 2 mayors from smaller municipalities (population < 60,000).
    • Appointments by the President of the Senate: 1 member of the General Assembly; 1 mayor/municipal executive or charter county executive.
    • Appointments by the Senate Minority Leader: 1 member of the General Assembly; 1 mayor/municipal executive or charter county executive.
    • Appointments by the Speaker of the House: 1 member of the General Assembly; 1 mayor/municipal executive or charter county executive.
    • Appointments by the House Minority Leader: 1 member of the General Assembly; 1 mayor/municipal executive or charter county executive.
  • Term length (C): Each member serves a 2-year term, beginning January 30 of odd-numbered years.
  • Vacancies (D): Filled for the unexpired term in the same manner as original appointment.
  • Reporting requirement (E):
    • By January 29 of each odd-numbered year, the commission must submit a report to the General Assembly including:
    • Summary of recommendations and actions taken or not by the General Assembly and municipal governments.
    • Summary of any general assembly legislation that restricts or limits home rule authority and its impacts on municipal law or policy.
    • Recommendations for preserving and restoring home rule and municipal authority for the next General Assembly.
  • Governance and operations (F–G):
    • Chair: Director of Development or designee.
    • Quorum: Majority of members.
    • Meetings: At least biannually; 10 days’ written notice; meetings broadcast by Ohio government telecommunications service; experts may testify.
  • Compensation and expenses (H): Members serve without compensation beyond their regular duties; actual and necessary expenses reimbursed; service on the commission does not constitute holding another public office.
  • Decision-making safeguards (I):
    • No recommendation or report can be issued without approval by:
    • A simple majority of all members.
    • At least two members from each political party.
    • At least two members who are General Assembly members.
    • At least two members who are a mayor, mayoral designee, municipal executive, or charter county executive.
  • Staffing (J): The commission may hire an executive director, located in the Department of Development, to administer duties.

Who and what is affected

  • Creates a new, standing commission focused on state–municipal relations and home rule issues.
  • Impacts state policymakers, municipal leaders, mayors, municipal executives, charter county executives, and General Assembly members (as appointees and as recipients of the commission’s reports).
  • Potential implications for municipal autonomy and the design/approval of state policies that affect local authority and funding.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Initial appointments due by June 30, 2026, by the Governor, President of the Senate, Minority Leader of the Senate, Speaker of the House, and Minority Leader of the House (as applicable).
  • Members serve two-year terms starting January 30 of odd-numbered years.
  • Biennial reporting requirement: by January 29 of each odd-numbered year.
  • Commission meetings to be held at least biannually and broadcast; testimony by experts permitted.
  • Requires approvals across party and governmental lines for any recommendations or reports, emphasizing bipartisan and bicameral consensus.

Note

  • This summary reflects the bill as introduced and may be subject to amendments during the legislative process.

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

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