Vice Chair Matthews and sponsor representatives told the House Veterans and Military Development Committee during the bill’s first hearing that House Bill 293 would designate the fourth Thursday of January as an annual NASA Day of Remembrance in the state to honor astronauts who died advancing space exploration.

"House Bill 293 honors the brave astronauts who lost their lives in the pursuit of space exploration, including the crew of Apollo 1, Challenger, and Columbia," the bill sponsor said during sponsor testimony, describing the measure as a recognition of both sacrifice and Ohio's historical ties to aviation and NASA research.

Testimony highlighted Ohio's role in aerospace, citing figures such as Neil Armstrong and John Glenn, and local connections to NASA facilities including the Glenn Research Center and Akron-born astronaut Judith Resnick. Sponsors told the committee the day would be a symbolic recognition, designed to honor those lost and to encourage public appreciation for science and public service.

Ranking Member Hall and other members offered supportive comments about local astronauts and education programs; no committee amendments were proposed during the first hearing. The committee did not take a vote on House Bill 293 during this session.