The Ohio House and Ohio Senate wrapped up long voting sessions with the House even going into the early morning hours on Friday. Although lawmakers passed dozens of bills in the process, there are several issues still on the table.
Lawmakers passed a variety of bills, including provisions that allow a person to carry a concealed knife, permit people to set off fireworks in July, and expand the opportunity for people who commit a non-violent crime to get treatment for substance abuse.
The late-night House session saw a heated debate before ultimately passing the so-called "Stand Your Ground" bill, which removes the duty to retreat before using lethal force in self-defense.
Republicans also voted to close debate on a bill that bans telemedicine for the use of abortion medications, denying opponents an opportunity to speak.
The House also approved the conference committee report of SB310, the capital appropriations bill. The legislation appropriates more than $2.1 billion for projects, including $1.25 million for the Ohio Theatre restoration in Columbus, $16 million for FC Cincinnati's new stadium, $800,000 for the Toledo Zoo, and $2.1 million for the Bureau of Criminal Investigation in London.
Lawmakers are still discussing what to do with the nuclear power plant bailout, which is linked to a federal racketeering investigation. A measure to delay the subsidies for nuclear plants for one year is still on the table, other opponents have sought a full repeal of the law created through HB6.
