Sponsors say bill expands eviction protections and speeds building inspections
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Summary
Senate Bill 83 would create a housing‑defense fund for eviction cases, require notice of free legal representation and allow nonbinding mediation; the bill also sets a 30‑day deadline for plan review and inspections and requires entities taking title to designate a natural person contact, sponsors told the committee.
Senate Bill 83 drew sponsor testimony in the Judiciary Committee, where Vice Chair Reynolds and Senator Craig described a three‑part bill they say will strengthen tenant protections, accelerate housing production and improve property‑transfer transparency.
Vice Chair Reynolds said the measure establishes a legal services housing‑defense fund and directs the Ohio Access to Justice Foundation to distribute appropriations to legal aid providers for eviction defense. ‘‘This requires clear notice to tenants that they may qualify for free legal representation and that court records are suppressed during the pendency of the case unless the landlord ultimately prevails,’’ Reynolds said, and added the bill allows either party to request nonbinding mediation.
Senator Craig said the bill requires building departments to complete plan reviews and inspections within 30 days of a request, and allows certified third‑party or out‑of‑jurisdiction departments to step in if deadlines are missed; it also directs the Board of Building Standards to review certification rules within 180 days. Craig said those changes are intended to reduce delays and costs that slow housing production.
On property conveyances, sponsors said entities (rather than natural persons) acquiring real property would be required to designate a natural person who owns or controls the property as a contact for county auditors and emergency purposes. Committee members asked questions and several expressed support; the hearing was recorded as SB 83’s first hearing.