OHIO — The first batch of bills are starting to pile up in Ohio as the controversial higher education bill grabbed all the headlines Wednesday.

But now there are nearly 50 pieces of legislation from Ohio’s lawmakers, 32 bills introduced in the senate, and another 18 in the house.

What You Need To Know

  • There are nearly 50 pieces of legislation from Ohio’s lawmakers

  • A Case Western Reserve political science professor said it is unclear what will stick

  • Republicans have introduced a companion bill to the higher education proposal in the senate

Some of the senate bills that most likely will grab attention:

  • Senate Bill 3 would create a flat income tax-rate of just under 3% over the next two years
  • An electricity bill aims to increase power generation, to make the electric grid in Ohio more affordable and reliable
  • Another big one is housing, if property taxes or rent exceed 5% of a person’s income, this bill would possibly authorize a refund and give some money back
  • Senate Bill 30 would force stores to accept cash from customers

Case Western Reserve political science professor Justin Buchler said it’s too early to tell what will stick.

“At this point we see bills on a wide range of topics because any individual or legislator can propose a bill in itself for a variety of reasons, from ideological to district based,” Buchler said.

As for the House, Republicans have introduced a companion bill to the higher education proposal in the senate.

There’s also legislation that addresses penalties for firearm offenses and as for what’s not among those initial 18 bills, one that addresses regulations around recreational marijuana.

Buchler said the question at this point is what will happen in the committee.

“The committee can move a bill forward; we can see a wide variety of bills just bottled up and no action takes place. We can see bills passed,” Buchler said.