COLUMBUS, Ohio — Now that the election is over, it is back to business for state lawmakers.

What You Need To Know

  • The Ohio Senate is scheduled to return to session this week; The Ohio House is scheduled to return to session in December

  • The time period after the election until the General Assembly ends its two-year session on Dec. 31 is called a "lame duck" session 

  • Lawmaker priorities for the session include addressing property taxes, while Gov. Mike DeWine's priority remains a law protecting kids from hazardous hemp products 

This week the Ohio Senate is holding its first session since July, with the Ohio House of Representatives set to return in December. With less than two months left until the end of the 135th General Assembly, time is running out for lawmakers to pass anything measures without having to introduce them all over again when the next session starts.

Of the more than 1,000 bills introduced to date in the Statehouse, about 50 were voted through both chambers so far.

“This legislature has passed the least amount of bills since 1955,” said State Sen. Bill DeMora. “And it actually has not been between the Democrats and Republicans. It’s been passing between the different chambers, not wanting to pass a ton of stuff.”

DeMora and other legislators shared their thoughts looking toward the final weeks of the term at an event Thursday hosted by the Ohio Chamber of Commerce.

The Columbus Democrat said there’s a stack of measures that passed one side of the Statehouse and are heading to the opposite chamber for consideration when lawmakers return. One of which is a bill he co-sponsored with State Sen. Theresa Gavarone that would help protect election workers.

“This is a completely bipartisan bill to help them with their security,” DeMora said. “I didn’t think I’d ever get a bill passed by the Senate, but it actually passed unanimously, which stunned me more than anybody, I think.”

It will be a “lame duck” season, the span of time between Election Day and the end of the Statehouse term. In the past, it’s meant long hours lobbying for legislation.

“It won’t be fun,” State Sen. Rob McColley said. “And don’t fall asleep at your desk because I’ve seen some of those photos make their way into campaign mailers.”

The Republican Ohio Senate majority floor leader said there are no major issues on the horizon for the “lame duck” session, but said property tax relief is something the legislature needs to take a serious look at. He said Ohioans need a more predictable and easier to understand process.

“Maybe even if there were a cap on the level of increase,” McColley said.

State Rep. Dani Isaacsohn (D-Cincinnati), said his office receives a lot of constituent comments about the taxes.

“Seniors who are worried about whether they can stay in their homes,” he said. “And so, the notion that we would tax a senior out of their home, something is amiss there.”

Meanwhile, Gov. Mike DeWine (R-Ohio), is hoping state legislators follow through with a request he made during his April State of the State address and pass a bill putting hazardous hemp products out of kids’ reach.

“We still have a situation where this hyped up hemp is being sold in gas stations all over the state of Ohio,” he said. “And you got young kids. There’s no age limit. Kids are walking in there and buying this garbage. So the legislature needs to take action.”

But time will tell what measures actually make it through to DeWine’s desk for signature before the session reaches its end.