Bill Analysis

Legislative Service Commission

LSC Analysis of House Bill

S.B. 93*

128th General Assembly

(As Reported by S. State and Local Government and Veterans Affairs)

 

Sens.     Buehrer, Coughlin, Faber, R. Miller, Morano, Patton, Schaffer, Schuring, Seitz, Wagoner

BILL SUMMARY

·         Creates the War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission, effective until December 31, 2015.

·         Prescribes the Commission's powers and duties.

CONTENT AND OPERATION

Creation; powers and duties

(R.C. 149.32 and 149.321)

The bill creates the War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission and designates that it will be a part of Northwest State Community College for administrative purposes.  The Commission is required to do all of the following:  (1) study and recommend activities that Ohio may carry out to honor Americans who served in Ohio in the War of 1812, (2) educate and raise awareness of Ohio's role in the War of 1812, (3) coordinate international, federal, state, and local War of 1812 bicentennial activities occurring in Ohio, (4) plan and implement appropriate events, including celebrations and educational initiatives to commemorate the War of 1812 bicentennial, (5) perform other duties as necessary to highlight Ohio's role in the War of 1812, (6) coordinate, as the Commission considers appropriate, with the United States government and the government of the states of Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, the province of Ontario, and other states and nations that are commemorating the War of 1812, (7) seek federal grants and philanthropic support for War of 1812 bicentennial activities, (8) compile an inventory of existing War of 1812 markers, monuments, museums, and ties in Ohio, and (10) undertake other activities that are appropriate to celebrate and commemorate the War of 1812 bicentennial.

The Commission will consist of the following 17 members:  one member of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker; one member of the Senate appointed by the President; the Adjutant General or the Adjutant General's designee; the Superintendent of Public Instruction or the Superintendent's designee; the Director of Commerce or the director's designee; the Chief of the Division of Travel and Tourism or the chief's designee; one member representing the Northwest State Community College, appointed by the president of the college; one member representing the National Museum of Afro-American History and Culture, appointed by the museum's director; one member of the Ohio Humanities Council, appointed by the council's executive director; one member of the Ohio Historical Society, appointed by the society's executive director; one member of the Native-American community historically associated with Ohio and the War of 1812, appointed by the Governor; and six members who are Ohio residents who have demonstrated interest in history and a substantial knowledge and appreciation of the War of 1812, appointed by the Governor.

The Commission must hold its first meeting not later than December 31, 2009, and must meet at least twice each year that it exists.  The Commission must select a chair and vice-chair from among its members.  The members serve without compensation, but must be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary travel expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.

The Commission is authorized to create and appoint members to an advisory board of persons with demonstrated interest in various aspects of the War of 1812.

The bill's provisions are repealed on December 31, 2015.  (Section 2.)

HISTORY

ACTION

DATE

 

 

Introduced

04-02-09

Reported, S. State & Local Gov't & Veterans Affairs

      ---

 

 

 

s0093-rs-128.docx/kl



* This analysis was prepared before the report of the Senate State and Local Government and Veterans Affairs Committee appeared in the Senate Journal.  Note that the list of co-sponsors and the legislative history may be incomplete.