Lawmakers are set to return to the Statehouse this week as members of the Ohio House of Representatives begin a light schedule planned for the first half of 2024.
Members of the House of Representatives will be in town for just two voting sessions between January and February, with plans to complete several issues left unresolved following the completion of work in late December. The Ohio Senate is expected to return the week of January 22, with an additional week of work planned for late February. No session dates are scheduled for the month of March while members campaign ahead of the March 19 primary election. They are expected to return for at least six sessions, two per month, scheduled between April and June.
Lawmakers are expected to address the state capital budget. before the summer recess Between $150-$200 million in public-facing community project funding will be available to communities in this year’s capital budget. Additionally, the budget will also include $700 million in one-time project funding from the Strategic Community Investment Fund. While the deadline for project submissions in the House was last month, members of the Ohio Senate continue to accept project proposals with the deadline set for April 1, 2024.
There are also indications that housing could be on the agenda for legislators in the new year. The Senate Select Housing Committee will conclude field hearings in Cleveland this week, and is expected to hold at least one additional hearing in Columbus before the Committee takes recommendations it has received and pursues potential legislation, this according to the chair of the committee, Sen. Michelle Reynolds (R-Canal Winchester).
Lawmakers will break for the summer in July. While a session schedule for the fall of 2024 has not yet been set, it is anticipated that lawmakers will not return to Columbus until after the November 5th General Election, when lame duck session will begin as the legislature rushes to complete work on pending legislation before the 135th Ohio General Assembly concludes on December 31, 2024.