Sub. S.B. 321*

126th General Assembly

(As Reported by H. Finance and Appropriations)

 

Sens.      Carey, Niehaus, Stivers, Roberts, Clancy, Austria, Fingerhut, Gardner, Harris, Hottinger, Spada, Padgett, Fedor, Mumper

Reps.     Calvert, Trakas, Coley, Martin, T. Patton, Flowers

·        Requires the Governor to calculate a state appropriation limitation for each fiscal year of the 2008-2009 biennium and for each fiscal year thereafter.

·        Provides that the state appropriation limitation for fiscal year 2008 is to be the aggregate General Revenue Fund (GRF) appropriations for fiscal year 2007 increased by whichever of the following is greater:  (1) 3.5% or (2) the sum of the inflation rate and rate of Ohio population change.

·        Provides that, for each succeeding fiscal year, the growth factor is to be applied to the previous year's state appropriation limitation or, every fourth year, the previous year's aggregate GRF appropriations.

·        Prohibits the Governor from proposing and the General Assembly from making aggregate GRF appropriations that exceed the state appropriation limitation for each fiscal year.

·        Provides limited exceptions to the prohibition imposed on the General Assembly.

·        Requires OBM to determine a method incorporating zero-based budgeting principles into state agency budget request forms.

·        Removes the Attorney General from the Tobacco Use Prevention and Control Foundation (TUPAC) Board of Trustees.

·        Changes the quorum requirements for the TUPAC Board of Trustees to a majority of voting members instead of a majority of the members.

·        Requires an affirmative vote of a majority of the voting members of the TUPAC Board, instead of an affirmative vote of a majority of the members, in order for it to take action.

·        Provides that not more than 5% of the total "disbursements, encumbrances, and obligations" (rather than "expenditures") of certain Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement foundations and funds in a fiscal year may be used for administrative expenses in the same fiscal year.

·        Makes changes to the law governing the Physician Loan Repayment Program including changes to eligibility requirements, reimbursement for certain expenses associated with Program recruitment, and Advisory Board membership.

·        Changes the requirements for participating in the Dentist Loan Repayment Program.

·        Changes certain procedures of the Dentist Loan Repayment Advisory Board.

·        Adds the phrase "but is not limited to" to the definition of "applicant" used in current law governing criminal records checks of applicants seeking employment with the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsperson program, including a regional program, in a position that involves providing ombudsperson services to residents of long-term care facilities or recipients of community-based long-term care services.

·        Authorizes the Director of Aging, rather than the Director of Health, to receive a copy of a criminal records check conducted of such applicants.

·        Permits a city, exempted village, or local school district participating in a state-assisted classroom facilities project, as an alternative to levying a 1/2-mill maintenance tax for 23 years, to deposit annually for 23 years the same amount from other school district resources.

·        Permits a Big-Eight school district participating in a state-assisted construction project to transfer from its project construction fund to a "special construction fund" investment earnings attributable to the district, as long as certain conditions are satisfied, to be used to acquire additional classroom facilities.

·        Permits a school district to deposit state funds reimbursed under the Expedited Local Partnership Program into the district's general revenue and permanent improvement funds, if money from those funds was used to pay for classroom facilities included in the district's project.

·        Clarifies that unvoted debt issued by a school district to pay its portion of a state-assisted classroom facilities project does not count toward the district's overall debt limits.

·        Removes the authority of the Department of Administrative Services to (1) contract for, operate, or superintend telephone, other telecommunication, and computer services for specified state agencies and (2) contract for bulk long distance telephone services to be made available to immediate family members of active duty military personnel, and confers that same authority upon the Office of Information Technology.

·        Modifies the business personal property tax reimbursements for school districts where territory is transferred by allowing the district from which the territory is transferred to retain one-half of the replacement payments for five years.

·        Modifies the business personal property tax reimbursements for school districts where uranium-related facilities have been located in order to preclude smaller reimbursements resulting from higher state school aid offsets.

·        Makes tax credits authorized by the Ohio Venture Capital Authority for losses on loans made to the Ohio Venture Capital Program fully refundable credits.

·        Increases the total amount of technology investment tax credits that may be approved from $20 million to $30 million.

·        Authorizes the conveyance of certain state-owned real estate in Jefferson County that the Adjutant General has determined is no longer required for armory or military purposes to a buyer or buyers to be determined at a later date.

·        Authorizes the conveyance of certain state-owned real estate in Franklin County that the Adjutant General has similarly so determined to The Ohio State University.

·        Authorizes the conveyance of certain state-owned real estate in Ross County to the City of Chillicothe.

State appropriation limitation. 5

Introduction. 5

Governor establishes limitations for each fiscal year. 5

Calculating the limitations. 6

Data used for calculations. 7

General Assembly may exceed the limitation. 8

Debt service payments and encumbrances unaffected. 9

Zero-based budgeting. 9

Tobacco Use Prevention and Control Foundation (TUPAC) changes. 9

Background. 9

Removal of Attorney General from Board of Trustees. 10

Change of Board of Trustees quorum requirement 10

Change of vote requirement for Board of Trustees action. 10

Administrative expense limitations regarding certain Tobacco Master
Settlement Agreement foundations and funds. 10

Physician Loan Repayment Program.. 11

Background. 11

Eligibility to apply for Program.. 12

Reimbursement for travel, meals, and lodging; referral to association. 13

Advisory board. 13

Dentist Loan Repayment Program.. 14

Requirements for application. 15

Dentist Loan Repayment Advisory Board. 15

Criminal records checks of ombudspersons. 16

Changes in School Facilities Commission programs. 17

Background. 17

School district maintenance tax alternative. 17

Transfer of investment earnings from a Big-Eight district's project
construction fund to a special construction fund. 19

Expedited Local Partnership Program reimbursements. 19

Unvoted debt for state-assisted school facilities projects. 20

Additional authority for the Office of Information Technology. 21

Background information:  Office of Information Technology. 21

DAS telecommunications and computer services contracts. 22

Business personal property tax replacement payments. 23

Transferred territory. 23

Uranium enrichment-related property. 24

Tax credits under the Ohio Venture Capital Program made fully refundable. 24

Technology investment tax credits. 25

Conveyance of state-owned real estate. 25

Conveyance in Jefferson County. 25

Conveyance in Franklin County. 27

Conveyance in Ross County. 28

 

State appropriation limitation

(R.C. 107.032, 107.033, 107.034, 107.035, 131.55, 131.56, 131.57, 131.58, 131.59, and 131.60)

Introduction

The bill requires the Governor to calculate a state appropriation limitation for each fiscal year of every biennium beginning with fiscal years 2008 and 2009 and obliges the General Assembly, when making aggregate General Revenue Fund (GRF) appropriations, to comply with the limitation.  "Aggregate GRF appropriations" for purposes of the bill means all GRF appropriations made by the General Assembly except for (1) appropriations of money received by the federal government, (2) appropriations made for tax relief or refunds of taxes and other overpayments, and (3) appropriations of money received as gifts.

The limitation generally limits increases in such appropriations in succeeding fiscal years through special calculations that rely on appropriation and various other data from the preceding fiscal year.

Governor establishes limitations for each fiscal year

As part of the state budget the Governor must submit at the beginning of each new General Assembly, the bill requires the Governor to include the state appropriations limitations the General Assembly cannot exceed when making aggregate GRF appropriations for each respective fiscal year of the biennium covered by that budget.  The aggregate GRF appropriations the Governor proposes in the submitted budget also cannot exceed those limitations.

Calculating the limitations

The Governor establishes the limitations using one of three methods.  The fiscal year for which a limitation is to be calculated determines the method of calculation.  There are three calculation methods:  initial fiscal year, recast fiscal year, and non-recast fiscal year.  Under the bill, the initial fiscal year is 2008 (July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2008).  A "recast fiscal year" means the fiscal years 2012, 2016, 2020, and each fourth year thereafter.  A non-recast fiscal year is every other year not already described.  Stretched out as a time line, the calculation sequence appears as follows:  2008 (initial fiscal year), 2009, 2010, 2011 (non-recast fiscal years), 2012 (recast fiscal year), 2013, 2014, 2015 (non-recast fiscal years), 2016 (recast fiscal year), and so on.

Initial fiscal year.  This method of calculation is used only once and provides the starting point for the following recast and non-recast fiscal year state appropriation limitations.  So, for fiscal year 2008, the state appropriation limitation is the sum of (1) the aggregate GRF appropriations for fiscal year 2007, plus (2) the aggregate GRF appropriations for fiscal year 2007 multiplied by either 3.5 %, or the sum of the rate of inflation plus the rate of population change, whichever is greater. [1]

Non-recast fiscal year.  For each fiscal year that is not the initial fiscal year or a recast fiscal year, the state appropriation limitation is the sum of (1) the state appropriation limitation for the previous fiscal year, plus (2) the state appropriation limitation for the previous fiscal year multiplied by either 3.5 %, or the sum of the rate of inflation plus the rate of population change, whichever is greater.

Recast fiscal year.  For each recast fiscal year, the state appropriation limitation is the sum of (1) the aggregate GRF appropriations for the previous fiscal year, plus (2) the aggregate GRF appropriations for the previous fiscal year multiplied by either 3.5%, or the sum of the rate of inflation plus the rate of population change, whichever is greater.

Data used for calculations

Estimates and updates.  The bill provides that the Governor, in determining the state appropriations limitation for fiscal year 2008, must use estimates regarding the aggregate GRF appropriations for fiscal 2007.  For the first fiscal year of any biennium, the Governor must use the most recent published data available regarding the rates of inflation and population change.  For the second fiscal year of any biennium, the Governor must use estimated rates of inflation and population change.

When determining the state appropriation limitations for each fiscal biennium after the 2008-2009 biennium that begins with a non-recast fiscal year, the Governor must do the following:

·        Update the rates of inflation and population change used in the determination of the state appropriation limitation for the second fiscal year of the previous biennium to reflect the most recent published data;

·        Recalculate the second fiscal year's limitation based on the update; and

·        Use the recalculated limitation for determining the state appropriation limitations for the ensuing biennium to be included in the budget the Governor submits to the General Assembly.

When determining the state appropriation limitations for each fiscal biennium after the 2008-2009 biennium that begins with a recast fiscal year, the Governor must do the following:

·        Update the rates of inflation and population in the same manner as described above for non-recast fiscal years;

·        Update the aggregate GRF appropriations amount for the second fiscal year of the previous biennium;

·        Recalculate the second fiscal year's limitation based on the updates; and

·        Use the recalculated limitation for determining the state appropriation limitations for the ensuing biennium to be included in the budget the Governor submits to the General Assembly.

The bill permits the Governor to designate the Director of Budget and Management to perform the Governor's duties as described above regarding the estimates and updates.

Restriction on moving items off budget.  Under the bill, any appropriation that, for fiscal year 2007, was an aggregate GRF appropriation, must be considered an aggregate GRF appropriation for each succeeding fiscal year with respect to the state appropriation limitation determination, even if it is made from a different fund.  Any new GRF appropriation made in a fiscal year after fiscal year 2007 must also be considered an aggregate GRF appropriation for each succeeding fiscal year after it is first made with respect to the state appropriation limitation determination, even if it is made from a different fund.

General Assembly may exceed the limitation

The bill provides that the General Assembly may exceed the state appropriation limitation for a fiscal year if either of the following apply:

(1)  The excess appropriations are made in response to the Governor's proclamation of an emergency concerning such things as an act of God, a pandemic disease, an infestation of destructive organisms, repelling invasion, suppressing insurrection, defending the state in time of war, or responding to terrorist attacks, and can be used only for that emergency; or

(2)  The General Assembly passes a bill by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members of each house that specifically identifies the purpose of each excess appropriation and states whether the appropriations are to be included as aggregate GRF appropriations with respect to future determinations of the state appropriation limitation.

The bill also provides that the appropriations described in (1) above are not to be included as aggregate GRF appropriations for purposes of determining the state appropriation limitation.  That same exclusion applies for appropriations described in (2) above that specifically state they are not to be included as aggregate GRF appropriations for purposes of determining the state appropriation limitation.

Debt service payments and encumbrances unaffected

The bill provides that nothing in the provisions establishing the state appropriation limitation can be construed to affect in any way the state's obligation to make debt service payments.

The bill also provides that the provisions establishing the state appropriation limitation do not apply to reappropriations of the unexpended balances of appropriations that a state agency has encumbered prior to the close of a fiscal year.

Zero-based budgeting

(R.C. 126.02)

Under current law, the Director of Budget and Management is required to prepare and submit to the Governor, biennially before the convening of the General Assembly, state budget estimates of revenues and expenditures for each state fund and budget estimates for each state agency.  In preparation of the revenue and expenditure estimates, the Director must distribute forms to each state agency so they may prepare their budget requests.  The bill requires the Director to determine a method to incorporate the principles of zero-based budgeting into those forms.

Tobacco Use Prevention and Control Foundation (TUPAC) changes

Background

Current law establishes the Tobacco Use Prevention and Control Foundation (TUPAC).  The purpose of the Foundation is to reduce tobacco use by Ohioans, with emphasis on reductions by youth, minority and regional populations, pregnant women, and others who may be disproportionately affected by tobacco use.  The reduction in use is to be accomplished through a plan created by the Foundation that provides, among other things, for grants for research and programs related to tobacco use prevention and cessation.  Grants are funded primarily using money distributed to the state pursuant to the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement entered into between the state and leading United States tobacco product manufacturers on November 23, 1998.

The general management of the Foundation is vested in a 24-member board of trustees that is made up of 20 voting members and four nonvoting members.  Of the 20 voting members, the Director of Health, the Executive Director of the Commission on Minority Health (or the Executive Director's designee), and the Attorney General are ex officio members.  Of the four nonvoting members, two are members of the House of Representatives and two are members of the Senate.  A majority of the members of the board constitutes a quorum, and no action can be taken without the affirmative vote of a majority of the members.

Removal of Attorney General from Board of Trustees

(R.C. 183.04)

The bill removes the Attorney General from the TUPAC Board.

Change of Board of Trustees quorum requirement

(R.C. 183.05)

The bill changes the quorum requirement for the TUPAC Board of Trustees to a majority of voting members, instead of a majority of the members.  This change coupled with the removal of the Attorney General from the board will result in the quorum number requirement changing from 13 to ten.

Change of vote requirement for Board of Trustees action

(R.C. 183.05)

The bill provides that the TUPAC Board of Trustees cannot take action without an affirmative vote of a majority of the voting members of the board, instead of an affirmative vote of a majority of the members.

Administrative expense limitations regarding certain Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement foundations and funds

(R.C. 183.30)

Under current law, the money received by the state through the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement is divided up and distributed to various funds and foundations that include, for example, the Tobacco Use Prevention and Control Foundation, the Southern Ohio Agricultural and Community Development (SOACD) Foundation, and the Biomedical Research and Technology Transfer Trust Fund (BRTTTF).  With respect to the TUPAC and SOACD Foundations, current law provides that no more than 5% of each foundation's total expenditures in a fiscal year can be for its administrative expenses.  No more than 5% of the total expenditures of the BRTTTF by the Third Frontier Commission in a fiscal year can be used for the Commission's administrative expenses.[2]  The 5% limitations do not apply, however, for any fiscal year for which the Controlling Board approves a spending plan submitted by the Commission or particular foundation.

The bill alters the 5% limitation by substituting "total disbursements, encumbrances, and obligations" for "total expenditures."  The bill also specifies that the 5% limitation in a fiscal year applies to the administrative expenses in the same fiscal year.  Finally, the bill provides that the 5% limitation for the BRTTTF applies to expenses relating to the administration of that fund by the Third Frontier Commission, instead of applying to any Commission administrative expenses.

Physician Loan Repayment Program

Background

(R.C. 3702.71 through 3702.81)

In 1993, the General Assembly created the Physician Loan Repayment Program.[3]  Under the Program, primary care physicians[4] agree to provide primary care services[5] 40 hours per week in a "health resource shortage area."[6]  They also agree to treat a percentage of Medicaid and Medicare patients equal to the percentage in their service areas.  In return for their service, the physicians receive repayment of up to $80,000 of medical school debt ($20,000 annually over a four-year period).[7]

Program participants contract to provide an initial two years of service, then either enter into one follow-up contract for two years of service or two follow-up contracts for one year of service each.[8]  The Director of Health may approve a physician for the Program only if the General Assembly appropriates funds for the Program, the Director finds that the physician is eligible for participation, and the physician's primary care specialty[9] is needed in a health resource shortage area.[10]

Eligibility to apply for Program

(R.C. 3702.72)

Current law.  Under current law, a primary care physician may apply for participation in the Physician Loan Repayment Program if the physician has not received national health service corps tuition or student loan repayment assistance and meets one of the following requirements:

(1)  Has enrolled in the final year of an accredited program required for Board certification in a primary care specialty.

(2)  Is enrolled in the final year of a fellowship program in a primary care specialty.

(3)  Has been engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery in Ohio for not more than three years prior to submitting the application.

The bill.  The bill eliminates the requirement that an applicant for the Program cannot have received national health service corps tuition or student loan repayment assistance and instead requires that the applicant cannot have an outstanding obligation for medical service to the federal government, a state, or other entity at the time of participation in the Program.  The bill also eliminates the requirement in (3), above that the applicant has been in practice not more than three years, and replaces it with a requirement that the applicant hold a valid certificate to practice medicine and surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery from the State Medical Board of Ohio.  The bill retains the requirements in (1) and (2), above.

Reimbursement for travel, meals, and lodging; referral to association

(R.C. 3702.73)

Current law.  Current law permits the Director of Health, when recruiting an applicant for the Program, to pay costs incurred by the applicant and the applicant's spouse for travel, meals, and lodging in making one visit to one health resource shortage area.  Current law also permits the Director to refer the applicant to the Ohio Primary Care Association, Inc., for assistance in being recruited to a site within a health resource shortage area at which the applicant agrees to be placed.

The bill.  The bill eliminates the Director's authority to undertake these activities.

Advisory board

(R.C. 3702.81; R.C. 3702.79 and 3702.80 (not in the bill))

Current law.  Current law provides for a Physician Loan Repayment Advisory Board that must provide consultative services, along with the Ohio Board of Regents, to the Director of Health when the Director adopts rules governing the Program.  The Advisory Board must also annually submit a report to the Governor and General Assembly describing the operations of the Program during the previous calendar year.

Current law requires that the Board consist of 11 members as follows:

(1)  Six members appointed by the Governor:  a representative of the Department of Health, a representative of the Ohio Academy of Family Practice, a representative of the Board of Regents, a representative of the Ohio Primary Care Association, Inc., a representative of the Ohio State Medical Association, and a representative of the Ohio Osteopathic Association.

(2)  Two members of the Ohio House of Representatives:  one representative from each political party, appointed by the Speaker of the House.

(3)  Two members of the Ohio Senate:  one representative from each political party, appointed by the Senate President.

Existing law specifies that Board members serve without compensation but may be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in the discharge of their duties.

The bill.  The bill removes the requirement that one of the six members of the Advisory Board appointed by the Governor be a representative of the Ohio Primary Care Association, Inc., and replaces it with a requirement that one of these six members be a representative of the Ohio Association of Community Health Centers.  The bill also eliminates the provision under which Board members may be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in the discharge of their duties.

Dentist Loan Repayment Program

(R.C. 3702.89 and 3702.92)

Sub. S.B. 51 of the 125th General Assembly created the Dentist Loan Repayment Program.  The program provides loan repayment on behalf of individuals who agree to provide dental services in areas designated as dental health resource shortage areas by the Director of Health.  The Department of Health is required to administer the program in cooperation with the Board of Regents and the Dentist Loan Repayment Advisory Board.  Under the program, the Ohio Board of Regents may agree to repay all or part of the principal and interest of a government or other educational loan taken by an individual for tuition, educational expenses, and room and board.  These expenses must have been incurred while the individual was enrolled in an accredited dental college or a dental college located outside of the United States that meets the standards set by the State Dental Board and must be determined reasonable by the Director of Health.  The Director of Health is required to adopt rules in consultation with the Ohio Board of Regents and the Dentist Loan Repayment Advisory Board to implement the Program.

Requirements for application

(R.C. 3702.89)

To be eligible to participate in the Dentist Loan Repayment Program, an applicant must not have received National Health Service Corps tuition or student loan repayment assistance and must be one of the following:  a dental student enrolled in the final year of dental college, a dental resident in the final year of residency, or a dentist engaged in the practice of dentistry in Ohio for no more than three years prior to submitting the application.  The application must be submitted to the Director of Health on a form the Director is required to prescribe.  All of the following information must be included or supplied:

(1)  The applicant's name, address, and telephone number;

(2)  The name of the dental college the applicant is attending or attended and dates and verification of attendance;

(3)  If the applicant is a dental resident, the facility at which the dental residency is being performed;

(4)  A summary and verification of the educational expenses the applicant seeks reimbursement for under the Program;

(5)  If the applicant is a dentist, the verification of the applicant's license to practice dentistry in Ohio, and proof of good standing;

(6)  Verification of the applicant's United States citizenship or status as a legal alien.

The bill changes the requirements for participating in the Program by specifying the following:

(1)  That the individual is not receiving certain assistance in student loan repayment, instead of has never received such assistance;

(2)  That, if practicing dentistry, has been in practice for less than three years instead of less than three years in this state.

Dentist Loan Repayment Advisory Board

(R.C. 3702.92)

Sub. S.B. 51 also created the Dentist Loan Repayment Advisory Board.  The Board consists of seven members: one member of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker, one member of the Senate appointed by the President, one representative of the Ohio Board of Regents appointed by the Chancellor, the Director of Health or an employee of the Department of Health designated by the Director, and three representatives of the dental profession appointed by the Governor from persons nominated by the Ohio Dental Association.

The Board must designate a chairperson and meet at least once annually.  The chairperson is to call special meetings as needed or on the request of six members.  Six members constitute a quorum.

The bill reduces from six to four the number of members of the Board that constitute a quorum and that are required to compel the chairperson to call a special meeting of the Board.

Criminal records checks of ombudspersons

(R.C. 173.27)

The Department of Aging is required to establish and operate a long-term care ombudsperson program, which is known as the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsperson Program.  The Office consists of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsperson, the Ombudsperson's staff, and regional long-term care ombudsperson programs.  Am. Sub. H.B. 530 of the 126th General Assembly included a requirement that the State Long-Term Care Ombudsperson or the Ombudsperson's designee request that the Superintendent of the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation conduct a criminal records check with respect to each job applicant who is under final consideration for employment with the Office, including a regional program, in a full-time, part-time, or temporary position that involves providing ombudsperson services to residents of long-term care facilities or recipients of community-based long-term care services.  The Director of Aging is to request the criminal records check if the applicant is under final consideration for employment as the State Long-Term Care Ombudsperson.

Current law enacted by H.B. 530 defines "applicant" as including a person who is under final consideration for employment as the State Long-Term Care Ombudsperson or the head of a regional long-term care ombudsperson program.  The bill provides that the term "applicant" includes, but is not limited to, such persons.

The State Long-Term Care Ombudsperson, Ombudsperson's designee, Director of Health, and Ombudsperson, designee, and Director's representative are among the individuals who may receive a copy of a criminal records check conducted of a job applicant for the long-term care ombudsperson program.  Under the bill, the Director of Aging, rather than the Director of Health, may receive a copy of such a criminal records check.

Changes in School Facilities Commission programs

Background

The Ohio School Facilities Commission administers several programs that provide state assistance to school districts in acquiring classroom facilities.  The main program, the Classroom Facilities Assistance Program (CFAP), is designed to provide each city, exempted village, and local school district with partial funding to address all of the district's classroom facilities needs.  It is a graduated, cost-sharing program where a district's portion of the total cost of the project and its priority for funding are based on the district's relative property wealth.  All districts are ranked from lowest to highest wealth per pupil and placed in percentiles.  Generally, lower percentile districts are served first and receive a greater amount of state assistance than higher percentile districts when it is their turn to be served.

School district maintenance tax alternative

(R.C. 3318.05, 3318.051, 3318.06, 3318.063, 3318.08, 3318.18, and 3318.36)

Current law.  In addition to paying its share of the cost of constructing classroom facilities included in a state-assisted construction project, a school district also must generate and set aside a specified amount for maintenance of those facilities.  Generally, each city, exempted village, and local school district that participates in a state facilities program must levy at least 1/2 mill for 23 years for maintenance.  As an alternative, a district may either earmark other existing taxes or make a one-time deposit of a designated "local donated contribution" to meet its maintenance obligation.[11] 

The bill's new alternative.  The bill authorizes a new alternative mechanism for a city, exempted village, or local school district to meet its maintenance obligation.  Under the bill, a district commencing its project on or after the bill's effective date may agree to deposit into its required maintenance fund, annually for 23 years, an amount from other district resources equal to 1/2 mill of the district's tax valuation, instead of levying the maintenance tax.  To avail itself of this alternative, a district board must pass a resolution petitioning the Ohio School Facilities Commission to approve the arrangement.  The Commission's decision to approve or not approve the petition is final and not subject to appeal.  The bill specifies that the Commission is not responsible for errors or miscalculations in deciding whether to approve a petition.

The district treasurer annually must certify to the Commission and the Auditor of State that the amount required for the year has been transferred into the maintenance fund.  The Auditor of State must include verification of the transfer as part of any audit of the district.  If the Auditor of State finds that less than the required amount has been deposited, the Auditor must notify the district board in writing and require the board to deposit the necessary money within 90 days after the notice.  If the district board fails to demonstrate to the Auditor's satisfaction that it has made the required deposit, the Auditor must notify the Department of Education.  Upon that notice, the Department must withhold 10% of the state operating funds calculated for the district for the current fiscal year, until the Auditor notifies the Department that the Auditor is satisfied that the board has made the required transfer. 

If a district board determines that it can no longer continue making the annual transfers, the bill allows a district board to rescind its decision, but only if the district's voters approve the levy of a tax for maintenance of the classroom facilities.  The levy must be in effect for the remainder of the 23-year maintenance period (23 years minus the number of years that the district made transfers) and must be for not less than 1/2 mill for each dollar of district valuation.  The bill prescribes ballot language to be used for such a levy vote. 

A district electing to make the transfers authorized under the bill is not relieved from its obligation to make annual deposits into its general "capital and maintenance fund," which applies to all districts under continuing law.[12]

No payments under the maintenance equalization subsidy (R.C. 3318.18).  The bill provides that districts electing to make the transfers authorized under the bill, instead of levying the maintenance tax, may not receive the new state maintenance equalization payments.  (Beginning in fiscal year 2007, the School Facilities Commission is required to pay an equalized subsidy to city, exempted village, and local school districts that participate in a state-assisted facilities program and have tax valuations per pupil below the statewide average.  The subsidy equalizes to the statewide average the amount each eligible district raises from its 1/2-mill maintenance levy.)

Transfer of investment earnings from a Big-Eight district's project construction fund to a special construction fund

(R.C. 3318.121)

Both the state's contribution and a school district's contribution toward the cost of a state-assisted facilities project must be deposited into a "project construction fund."  The bill permits a Big-Eight school district to transfer from the district's project construction fund to a "special construction fund" an amount of the investment earnings attributable to the district's contribution, as long as certain conditions are satisfied.  Money in this special construction fund (including investment earnings of that fund) may be used to acquire classroom facilities in later segments of the district's project or to acquire classroom facilities that were included in the district's master facilities plan prior to a reduction in scope of the project.  After a district's entire project has been completed, any investment earnings remaining in the special construction fund must be transferred to the district's maintenance fund to be used solely for maintaining the facilities included in the project.

The transfers may be made only if the school district and the School Facilities Commission, or its designated representative, determine that, due to reductions in project scope, the sum of (1) the unspent amount of the district's contribution to the project construction fund, including any investment earnings on that contribution that are not to be transferred, and (2) the principal amount of any additional securities authorized by the district's voters that have not yet been issued, is projected at the time of the transfer to be not less than 110% of the district's entire remaining portion of the project cost. 

These provisions apply to any Big-Eight district that satisfies the conditions, whether it is participating in the Accelerated Urban Program (Akron, Dayton, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, and Toledo) or the regular Classroom Facilities Assistance Program (Canton and Youngstown). 

Expedited Local Partnership Program reimbursements

(R.C. 3318.36(E)(2))

The Expedited Local Partnership Program provides a way for districts to start their approved school building projects using local funds while they wait for their turn for state funding under the main CFAP program.  Once a district is eligible for CFAP, it may apply this advance expenditure of local resources toward its portion of the cost of its total CFAP project.  If a district has spent more than its share of its CFAP project while proceeding under the Expedited Program, the School Facilities Commission must reimburse the district the amount of the over-expenditure.  Current law specifies that the district must use the reimbursement to pay off debt service on classroom facilities constructed under the Expedited Program before it may be used for any other purpose.

The bill provides an exception to this restriction.  Under the bill, a district may deposit reimbursed money into either the district's general fund or a permanent improvement fund to replace local resources the district withdrew from those funds for constructing classroom facilities included in the district's CFAP project. 

Unvoted debt for state-assisted school facilities projects

(R.C. 3318.052)

Generally, a school district's unvoted net indebtedness (that is, debt that may be incurred without approval of the district's voters) is limited to not more than 1/10 of 1% of the district's tax valuation.[13]  Nevertheless, a district may incur (1) unvoted debt of up to an additional 9/10 of 1% of its tax valuation to install energy conservation measures[14] and (2) an unlimited amount of unvoted debt for the district's share of its state-assisted classroom facilities project.[15] 

Under the latter exception, a school district may use an existing property tax or school district income tax that properly can be used for school construction to leverage securities to pay all or part of the district's share of a state-assisted construction project.  This is an alternative to the usual method of financing a district's share by requesting a voter-approved bond issue and tax levy.  Prior law appeared to inadvertently subject this alternative to the 1% limit (due to the intersection of three sections of law that made differing references to a district's authority to issue unvoted debt).  However, recent amendments specified that unvoted debt issued to pay a school district's portion of its school facilities project does not count toward the 1% limit on unvoted debt otherwise imposed by law.[16] 

The bill changes the wording of some of the recently enacted language to further clarify that unvoted debt issued to pay a school district's portion of a state classroom facilities project also does not count toward the district's overall debt limit (9% of valuation) and the limit on ballot questions to issue debt without the consent of the Tax Commissioner and the Superintendent of Public Instruction (4% of valuation).[17]  It appears that this clarification does not substantively change current law.

Additional authority for the Office of Information Technology

(R.C. 125.021)

Background information:  Office of Information Technology

Continuing law establishes the Office of Information Technology and houses it within the Department of Administrative Services (DAS).  The Office is under the supervision of a Chief Information Officer appointed by the Governor.  The Chief Information Officer serves as the Office's director, must advise the Governor regarding the superintendence and implementation of statewide information technology policy, and must lead, oversee, and direct state agency activities related to information technology development and use.  In the latter regard, the Chief Information Officer must (1) coordinate and superintend statewide efforts to promote common use and development of technology by state agencies, (2) establish policies and standards for the acquisition and use of information technology by state agencies (e.g., hardware, software, technology services, and security) with which state agencies must comply, and (3) establish criteria and review processes to identify state agency information technology projects that require alignment or oversight.  (R.C. 125.18(A), (B), and (C)--not in the bill.)

The Office has the same authority as DAS under specified sections of the State Purchasing Law for the purchase of information technology supplies and services for state agencies.  The statute amended by the bill, R.C. 125.021, is not included among the listed sections.  (R.C. 125.18(D)--not in the bill.)

The Office also may make contracts for, operate, and superintend technology supplies and services for state agencies in accordance with the State Purchasing Law and may establish cooperative agreements with federal and local government agencies and state agencies that are not under the authority of the Governor for the provision of technology services and the development of technology projects (R.C. 125.18(E) and (F)--not in the bill).

For purposes of the Office's provisions, a "state agency" means every organized body, office, or agency established by Ohio law for the exercise of any function of state government, other than any state-supported institution of higher education, the office of the Auditor of State, Treasurer of State, Secretary of State, or Attorney General, the Public Employees Retirement System, the Ohio Police and Fire Pension Fund, the State Teachers Retirement System, the School Employees Retirement System, the State Highway Patrol Retirement System, the General Assembly or any legislative agency, or the courts or any judicial agency (R.C. 125.18(G)--not in the bill).

DAS telecommunications and computer services contracts

Current law.  Under current law, DAS generally is permitted to contract for, operate, and superintend telephone, other telecommunication, and computer services for state agencies, the exceptions being the military department, the General Assembly, the Bureau of Workers' Compensation, the Industrial Commission, and institutions administered by boards of trustees.  The Bureau and the Commission, however, may contract with DAS to authorize it to contract for, operate, or superintend those services for the Bureau or the Commission.  (R.C. 125.021(A).)

Also, under current law, DAS may enter into a contract to purchase bulk long distance telephone services and make them available at cost, or may make bulk long distance telephone services available at cost under any existing contract DAS has entered into, to members of the immediate family of persons deployed on military active duty so that those family members can communicate with the persons so deployed.  Following the adoption of rules under the Administrative Procedure Act, DAS may exercise either of these contracting options.  The contracts may be entered only in accordance with the State Purchasing Law and only in a nondiscriminatory manner that does not place any potential vendor at a competitive disadvantage.  (R.C. 125.021(B).)

Changes proposed by the bill.  As noted above, under the Office of Information Technology Law, the Office has the same authority as DAS under specified sections of the State Purchasing Law for the purchase of information technology supplies and services for state agencies.  That listing of State Purchasing Law sections does not include R.C. 125.021 and its above-described DAS contracting authority.

The bill amends R.C. 125.021 to remove DAS' authority to perform the described contracting functions and to substitute the Office as the state entity authorized to perform those contracting functions (R.C. 125.021(A) and (B)).

Business personal property tax replacement payments

The bill makes two changes to the computation of school district reimbursements to replace business personal property tax revenue as a result of the phase-out and elimination of those taxes.  One change addresses the payments made when territory is transferred from one district to another, and the other change addresses the computation for a school district where uranium enrichment-related property is or was located.

Transferred territory

(R.C. 5751.21(H)(2); Section 512.03)

Under current law, school districts and other taxing units receive state payments to reimburse them for the decline in property tax revenue caused by the phase-out and repeal of business personal property taxes.  Generally, the payments are computed on the basis of the taxable value of the property in the year before the phase-out begins.  There are special adjustments for cases where school districts are merged or where part of the territory of one school district is transferred to another school district (including joint vocational school district mergers or transfers).  The adjustment for transferred territory is designed to ensure that reimbursement payments from fixed-rate levies "follow" the value of property in the transferred territory, computed in relation to all property in the school district from which the territory is transferred.

The bill changes this computation by allowing the district from which the territory is transferred to retain one-half of the payments arising from property in the transferred territory during the first five years after the transfer, instead of all the payments arising from the property being paid to the district receiving the territory.  The payments are to be computed by using the fixed-rate tax rate of the district from which the territory is transferred.  The bill's change applies only if the tax rate in the receiving district is less than the tax rate in the other district.  The new computation applies through fiscal year 2012.

The bill also expressly provides for the tax value loss associated with property in transferred territory to follow the property to the receiving district in order to ensure that the computation of each district's reimbursement incorporates the state school funding effects of the tax value loss.  (Under ongoing law, the tax value losses can increase a district's state formula aid by a factor of $23 per $1,000 reduction in value; this indirect aid increase is subtracted from the district's direct reimbursement payment.)

Uranium enrichment-related property

(R.C. 5751.20(C)(5); Section 512.03)

Under ongoing law, a special reimbursement provision applies to school districts and other taxing units where a uranium enrichment or commercialization facility was located and where personal property tax values declined by at least 50% in one year between 2001 and 2004.  The provision permits such a district or taxing unit to substitute its 2000 tax values for its (presumably lower) 2004 tax values.  This substitution is intended to result in a greater reimbursement than if the 2004 values are used.

The bill modifies the provision for school districts by specifying that the 2000 tax value losses are to be substituted only for the purpose of computing the revenue losses and the direct reimbursement payments, and not for the purpose of the indirect reimbursement occurring under the state aid formula.  This change precludes reductions in the indirect reimbursement that would be caused from using the higher 2000 tax values, and therefore precludes the possibility that the reduction in indirect reimbursement offsets the increased direct reimbursement brought about by the substitution of the 2000 tax values to compute direct reimbursement.

Tax credits under the Ohio Venture Capital Program made fully refundable

(R.C. 150.07, 5707.031, 5725.19, 5725.98, 5727.241, 5729.08, 5729.98, 5733.01, 5733.49, 5733.98, 5747.80, and 5747.98)

Under the Ohio Venture Capital Program administered by the Ohio Venture Capital Authority, moneys in a "program fund" are invested in venture capital funds, which in turn invest in Ohio-based businesses that are in seed or early stages of development or in established Ohio-based businesses that are developing new methods or technologies.  The program fund is funded through investments from private investors.  Some of the profits from the program are put into the Ohio Venture Capital Fund (OVCF), which is used to secure the private investors against losses.  To the extent the moneys in the OVCF are not adequate to secure an investor against losses, the investor is eligible for a tax credit granted by the Authority.  The credit is available against any of the following taxes:  personal income tax, corporation franchise tax, insurance company franchise taxes, dealers in intangibles tax, and public utility tax.

Taxpayers may elect to receive a refundable or a nonrefundable credit from the Authority.  Currently, refundable credits approved by the Authority are only 75% refundable.  So, if a taxpayer has elected a refundable credit and that taxpayer's tax liability for any given reporting period is less than the amount of the credit, the taxpayer currently receives a refund equal to 75% of the amount by which the credit exceeds the tax liability.

The bill makes all tax credits approved by the Authority refundable and removes a taxpayer's option of electing a nonrefundable credit.  The bill also makes the credit fully refundable, which means that taxpayers would no longer be limited to 75% of the amount by which their refundable credits exceed their tax liabilities.

Technology investment tax credits

(R.C. 122.151)

Under continuing law, investors who make investments in certain qualified technology-based businesses may apply to an Edison Center[18] for a tax credit that is equal to 25% of the amount of the investment (or 30% if the investment is made in a business certified as being economically and socially disadvantaged or a business located in a distressed area of the state).  An Edison Center makes recommendations on the tax credits to a committee of the Industrial Technology and Enterprise Advisory Council, which makes a final determination as to whether a tax credit should be approved.  Current law prohibits the issuance of more than $20 million in technology investment tax credits.  The bill increases this maximum amount to $30 million.

Conveyance of state-owned real estate

Conveyance in Jefferson County

(Section 483.03)

Authorization.  The bill authorizes the Governor to convey certain real estate in Jefferson County that the Adjutant General has determined is no longer required for armory or military purposes to a buyer or buyers to be determined in accordance with the procedure discussed below.  The conveyance is pursuant to R.C. 5911.10, which authorizes the Governor and the Adjutant General, when authorized by an act of the General Assembly, to sell vacant armories.  (Division (A).)

Assistance and appraisal.  The bill requires the Director of Administrative Services to assist in the sale of the parcel of real estate at the request of the Adjutant General.  And, the Adjutant General must appraise the parcel or have it appraised by one or more disinterested persons for a fee to be determined by the Adjutant General.  (Divisions (B) and (C).)

Procedure for sale.  The Adjutant General is required to offer the parcel for sale as follows (division (C)):

(1)  The Adjutant General first must offer the parcel for sale at its appraised value to the township in which the property is located (Township of Steubenville).

(2)  If, after 60 days, the township has not accepted the offer to purchase the parcel at the appraised value or if the township has accepted the offer but has failed to complete the purchase, the Adjutant General must offer the parcel at the appraised value to the county in which the parcel is located (Jefferson County).

(3)  If, after 60 days, the county has not accepted the offer to purchase the parcel at the appraised value or if the county has accepted the offer but has failed to complete the purchase, a public auction must be held, and the parcel must be sold to the highest bidder at a price acceptable to the Adjutant General.  The Adjutant General may reject any and all bids for any reason whatsoever.

The Adjutant General must advertise each public auction in a newspaper of general circulation within the county once a week for two consecutive weeks before the auction.  The terms of sale must be payment of 10% of the purchase price, as bid by the highest bidder, in cash, bank draft, or certified check on the date of sale, with the balance payable within 60 days after that date.  If the purchaser does not timely complete these conditions of sale, the purchaser will forfeit the 10% of the purchase price to the state as liquidated damages.  And, if the purchase is not completed and the sale is voided, the Adjutant General may sell the parcel to the second highest bidder at the public auction.  (Division (C).)

Costs payment.  Advertising costs, appraisal fees, and other costs of the sale of the parcel of real estate must be paid by the Adjutant General's Department (division (D)).

Deed preparation and sale proceeds deposit.  The bill specifies the procedure for preparation of a deed to the parcel of real estate upon the payment of the 10% of the purchase price by the purchaser at a public auction or upon notification from the Adjutant General's Department that the parcel has been sold to a township or county in accordance with the bill's priority sale provisions (divisions (A) and (E)).  The bill requires the purchaser to pay the balance of the purchase price before the deed is delivered to the purchaser, who must record it in the Jefferson County Recorder's office (division (E)).

The net proceeds of the sale must be deposited in the state treasury to the credit of the Armory Improvements Fund in accordance with R.C. 5911.10 (division (F)).

Political subdivision subsequent sale caveat.  The bill specifies that, if the parcel of real estate is sold to a township or county, and if that political subdivision sells the parcel within two years after its purchase, the political subdivision must pay to the state, to the credit of the Armory Improvements Fund, an amount representing one-half of any net profit derived.  The net profit must be computed by subtracting the price at which the political subdivision bought the parcel from the price at which the political subdivision sold the parcel, then subtracting from that remainder the amount of any expenditures the political subdivision made for improvements to the parcel (division (G)).

Expiration.  This conveyance authority expires five years after the provisions' effective date (division (H)).

Conveyance in Franklin County

(Section 483.04)

Authorization and consideration.  The bill authorizes the Governor, again pursuant to R.C. 5911.10, to execute a deed in the name of the state conveying to The Ohio State University and its successors and assigns all of the state's right, title, and interest in specified state-owned real estate in Franklin County that the Adjutant General has determined is no longer required for armory or military purposes (division (A)).  The consideration for the conveyance is a purchase price acceptable to the Adjutant General, based on the real estate's fair market value (division (B)).

Deed preparation, sale proceeds deposit, and costs payment.  The bill specifies the procedures for the preparation, execution, and recording of a deed to the real estate upon payment of the purchase price.  The net proceeds of the sale must be deposited in the state treasury to the credit of the Armory Improvements Fund.  The Ohio State University must pay the costs of the conveyance.  (Divisions (C), (D), and (E).)

Expiration.  Finally, this conveyance authority expires two years after the provisions' effective date (division (F)).

Conveyance in Ross County

(Section 483.05)

Negated authorization and new authorization.  The bill states that the sale provisions specified in Section 2 of Am. Sub. S.B. 234 of the 125th General Assembly do not apply to Parcel No. 10, Chillicothe Armory.[19]  Instead, the bill authorizes the Governor, again pursuant to R.C. 5911.10, to execute a deed in the name of the state conveying to the City of Chillicothe and its successors and assigns all of the state's right, title, and interest in that specified state-owned real estate in Ross County.  (Division (A).)

Consideration.  The consideration for the conveyance is the complete and usable sewer system connecting the National Guard Readiness Center at Camp Sherman, including any tap in-fees or other fees to access the sewer line, and the purchase price of one dollar (division (B)).

Deed preparation and costs payment.  The bill specifies the procedures for the preparation, execution, and recording of a deed to the real estate upon payment of the purchase price.  The City of Chillicothe must pay the costs of the conveyance.  (Divisions (C) and (D).)

Expiration.  Finally, this conveyance authority expires one year after the provisions' effective date (division (E)).

ACTION	DATE
Introduced	05-02-06
Reported, S. Finance & Financial Institutions	05-10-06
Passed Senate (31-0)	05-10-06
Reported, H. Finance & Appropriations	---

 

 

 

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