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Advocates ask for $15M in HB 96 to test Ohio school buildings for radon
Summary
Radon professionals and a former legislator urged the committee to add a $15 million grant program to HB 96 to test Ohio—s roughly 3,700 school buildings, citing EPA zone maps that show the majority of counties at elevated risk and estimated testing costs of $4,000—6,000 per building.
Former state Representative Jon Cross and radon professionals urged lawmakers to fund a testing and mitigation grant program for Ohio—s public school buildings.
Cross told the committee that an EPA-based zone map shows all 88 counties have either Zone 1 or Zone 2 radon risk and that about 3,700 school buildings statewide could require testing. He recommended a $15,000,000 grant program in HB 96 to help school districts cover testing costs (witnesses estimated $4,000—6,000 per building) and to avoid an unfunded mandate on districts.
Jessica Carnes of the Ohio Association of Radon Professionals said 53 counties are designated Zone 1, meaning a statistically higher chance that buildings will test high for radon gas, and she outlined public-health consequences and estimated treatment costs. Committee members asked whether testing funds would include mitigation; witnesses said the initial ask is for testing but that mitigation should be considered at construction or through other funding mechanisms.
No amendment was adopted during the hearing; proponents asked the committee to work on language for a budget amendment.
