A co-sponsor of a new bipartisan bill to give Ohio public school students free meals is hoping to see it included as a priority in the state’s two-year operating budget due July 1.

A bipartisan pair of Ohio lawmakers want to ban noncompete contracts as a condition of employment in the state. In response to the proliferation of those post-employment contracts, federal regulators attempted to prohibit them nationwide last April — an effort which was blocked by the courts.

Two Republican state senators in Ohio have reintroduced a measure eliminating sales tax for guns and ammunition while dangling tax incentives to lure firearm manufacturers to the state. The sponsors contend Ohio is losing out on gun sales as buyers travel to neighboring tax-free states, and that Ohio has an opportunity to add new jobs if it takes steps to attract businesses.

The Ohio Senate passed a controversial higher education bill that would overhaul the state’s public universities during Wednesday’s session. This came one day after more than 800 Ohioans submitted testimony against it. Fourteen people provided supporter testimony. The sponsor of the bill called those numbers “irrelevant.”

The Ohio Senate passed Senate Bill 24, sponsored by State Senators Terry Johnson (R-McDermott) and Steve Huffman (R-Tipp City), which adopts the 1905 Wright Flyer III as the official state airplane.

Former Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel has been officially confirmed by the General Assembly as Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine’s lieutenant governor.

Advocacy groups of all types are revving up for the new term of the Ohio General Assembly, laying out policy priorities from early childhood education to housing and brownfield remediation.

Ohio Senate President Rob McColley announced that Jane Timken has been selected to become the new Senator for the 29th District, that represents the Canton area and most of Stark County.

Ohio lawmakers braved the snow to begin the 136th General Assembly and select new leaders for the House and Senate Monday. As in years past, the likely leaders were decided by the majority caucuses months ago. But unlike the last time lawmakers voted, those earlier decisions actually held.

Many bills died as the most recent Ohio General Assembly recently wrapped up.

The Ohio Senate agreed to amendments to Senate Bill 58, sponsored by State Senator Terry Johnson (R-McDermott) and State Senator Theresa Gavarone (R-Bowling Green), to ensure no Ohioan will be required to possess or purchase firearm liability insurance or pay a fee for the possession of a firearm, parts, components, ammunition or a knife.

A bill that would require Ohio school districts to make a policy to expel a student that poses an “imminent and severe endangerment” for 180 days and potentially longer has been passed by the state legislature and is going to Gov. Mike DeWine’s desk.

A bill that would require school districts to create a mandatory religious release time policy and require educators to out a students’ sexuality to their parents is on its way to Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine’s desk for his signature.

The Ohio Senate passed Senate Bill 281, sponsored by State Senators Terry Johnson (R-McDermott) and Hearcel Craig (D-Columbus).

Legislation to make improvements to systems ranging from infant care to early childhood education throughout the state of Ohio was passed by the Ohio General Assembly on Wednesday.