Sponsor says HB 308 will resolve rival county central committees by clarifying State Central Committee authority

Chair Ray called House Bill 308 for its first hearing. Representative Bernie Willis (sponsor) described recurring disputes in several counties where competing groups claim to be the county central committee and argued that current Ohio Revised Code language leaves the State Central Committee without clear authority except during a 30‑day reorganization window.

Willis said HB 308 makes a narrow statutory change to allow the State Central Committee to consider evidence and determine the rightful county central committee at any time when competing claims arise. He described local examples where rival groups claimed leadership, withheld access to funds and accounts, and created confusion for candidates and boards of elections when vacancies needed appointment.

Members asked for clarity on decision-making criteria and public access to the State Central Committee’s review. Willis said the committee could rely on certified lists of elected central committee members, documented meeting transcripts, and other records; he also said public scrutiny often follows these disputes but acknowledged additional transparency measures could be discussed.

What happens next: the bill was taken under advisement; members asked staff to review potential drafting clarifications for how the State Central Committee documents and publicizes its determinations.