Governor Signs Bill Ratifying Great Lakes Compact

Press Release

Governor Signs Bill Ratifying Great Lakes Compact

Also Signs Additional Legislation Passed in 127th General Assembly

Governor Ted Strickland today signed House Bill 416, which ratifies the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact. State Representative Matt Dolan sponsored the bill.

The Compact will become binding after ratification by all eight Great Lakes states and two Canadian provinces and after approval from the U.S. Congress.

Under the Compact, the states and provinces will work in regional collaboration to protect the future of the Great Lakes and determine governance and other issues related to the lakes.

"I am proud that Ohio has officially signed on to the Compact today and joined other states and provinces in our commitment to serve as responsible stewards of our Great Lakes," Strickland said. "Through the Compact, we will have the ability to maintain our precious natural resources and preserve and protect Lake Erie for generations to come."

The Governor will hold a ceremonial signing of the Compact with state and federal officials at 3 p.m. on July 7 at the Marblehead Lighthouse in Marblehead.

The Governor also signed the following bills:

House Bill 71

State Representative John White sponsored HB 71, which establishes new procedures and requirements governing the seizure, impoundment and disposition of an allegedly abused or neglected companion animal. The bill also makes changes to certain existing prohibitions regarding dogfighting and establishes procedures and requirements when dealing with a dog allegedly involved in dogfighting.

House Bill 323

State Representative Bob Gibbs sponsored HB 323, which requires all fields and enclosures with livestock that are bordered by a division line between another owner's adjoining property to be enclosed by a preferred partition fence. Additionally, the bill addresses the construction and maintenance of partition fences by adjoining property owners.

House Bill 359

State Representative Matt Huffman sponsored HB 359, which allows the prosecuting attorney and treasurer in a county of more than 100,000 people to use up to $3 million of surplus delinquent tax collections to assist municipal corporations and townships to abate nuisances related to residential buildings in foreclosure. The bill also authorizes the prosecuting attorney to use the surplus funds to prosecute alleged violations of criminal and civil laws governing real estate and related transactions.

House Bill 195

State Representative Tony Core sponsored HB 195, which exempts prescription-related drug possession offenses only when the controlled substance is obtained pursuant to a lawful prescription. The bill also modifies the penalties for drug possession and deception to obtain a dangerous drug. Additionally, the bill prohibits a person who has been convicted of a felony, including theft in office, from holding public office and other specified privileges.

House Bill 374

State Representative William Coley sponsored HB 374, which makes two primary changes to Ohio's corporation law. The bill allows original articles of incorporation to contain a provision that eliminates shareholders' cumulative voting rights for the election of corporate directors. Additionally, the bill deals with the disposition of corporate assets by clarifying that transfers to a wholly-owned subsidiary do not require shareholder approval, and that the assets of wholly-owned subsidiaries are assets of the parent company for the purposes of this statute.

Senate Bill 17

State Senator Tim Grendell sponsored SB 17, which increases by $50 the minimum fine for an OVI conviction. The bill also allows the testing of blood alcohol levels by law enforcement officers when a person is arrested under a certain offense and already has a specified number of repeat OVI convictions.

Senate Bill 220

State Senator Kirk Schuring sponsored SB 220, which allows a judge to impose an additional jail or prison term on an offender who is convicted of prostitution in a school safety zone or within 500 feet of a school building or the boundaries of school premises. The bill allows an offender to wear an electronic tracking device in lieu of additional jail or prison time associated with the school specification.

Senate Bill 281

State Senator Bill Seitz sponsored SB 281, which increases the exemptions for certain types of property that a debtor may hold exempt from execution, garnishment, attachment or sale to satisfy a judgment or order to reflect the higher exemptions under the United States Bankruptcy Code. The bill also provides for automatic, annual adjustments to the exemption amounts based on changes in the Consumer Price Index.

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