House roundup: reentry grace period, CLT testing option, memorial highway and ID-fee waivers pass
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Summary
On Feb. 18 the House passed a package of measures: HB 296 (180‑day grace period for fines/fees after incarceration), HB 326 (allowing the CLT as an assessment option), HB 385 (memorial highway designation), HB 472 (waive ID/birth-certificate fees for verified people experiencing homelessness), and adopted House Resolution 304 supporting Ohio's advanced air-mobility pilot application.
The Ohio House adopted several measures on Feb. 18 that address reentry policy, education testing options, memorial recognition and barriers for people experiencing homelessness. The chamber also unanimously adopted a resolution supporting Ohio’s proposal to an FAA advanced air-mobility pilot.
Reentry grace period (HB 296): Representative Melanie Miller described HB 296 as a six-month pause on enforcement of court-assessed fines, fees and financial sanctions after release from incarceration or completion of transitional control, intended to give returning citizens time to secure housing and employment. The House voted 81-5 to pass the bill.
Classic Learning Test (HB 326): Representative Ritter supported HB 326 to allow school districts to administer the Classic Learning Test (CLT) as an option for eleventh graders and for admissions consideration where applicable; opponents warned the measure could re-entrench standardized testing and disadvantage lower-income students. The bill passed 62-28.
Memorial highway (HB 385): Representative Moore sponsored HB 385 to designate a portion of U.S. Route 22 in Harrison County as the Private First Class Thomas Pizzino Memorial Highway to honor a Vietnam War service member; the bill passed 92-0.
ID and birth-certificate fee waivers (HB 472): Representatives Salvo and Cockley described HB 472 as a bipartisan, targeted measure to waive the state fee for one certified birth certificate annually for verified individuals experiencing homelessness and to provide free state IDs for unaccompanied homeless youth; sponsors said verification is required from shelters or proof-service providers. The bill passed 90-1.
Advanced air mobility resolution (HR 304): Representative Willis won unanimous approval for House Resolution 304 supporting Ohio’s bid for the FAA’s Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing and Advanced Air Mobility Integration Pilot Program (EIPP), citing Ohio’s aerospace ecosystem, SkyVision infrastructure, and industry partners such as Joby Aviation and Sierra Nevada Corporation.
Votes at a glance: HB 296 (81-5, passed); HB 326 (62-28, passed); HB 385 (92-0, passed); HB 472 (90-1, passed); HR 304 (88-0, adopted). These items were approved on the House floor and will move forward per statute and standard enrollment procedures.
What happens next: Each enacted measure will proceed to enrollment and then to the governor’s desk where timelines for effective dates are determined by statutory language and enrollment certification.