Bill Seitz

Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle unloaded several questions about a bill — that would outlaw abortion in Ohio if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade — during its first House committee hearing.

The plan now heads to the top leaders of the Ohio House and Senate.

A bipartisan bill in the Ohio Legislature would once again allow power companies to offer energy efficiency programs such as smart thermostats or appliance rebates.

When it comes to reforming Ohio's criminal justice system, changing the laws tends to start at the state-level. But while lawmakers look at shifting sentencing from prison to treatment, there's also an urge by officials to increase penalties, resulting in what can be a contrasting approach to reform.

A confrontation between two Republican lawmakers at a Columbus restaurant is stirring up questions about potential infighting in the Ohio House. The dust up was over the pending vote to expel former Representative Larry Householder from office.

A Republican-backed bill that would allow ballot dropboxes only at boards of elections for 10 days before the election and would shorten the window to request early ballots had its first hearing in a House committee.

Former Speaker Larry Householder (R-Glenford) remains in the Ohio House as he awaits trial on federal bribery charges related to the 2019 passage of House Bill 6, the sweeping energy law.

Ohio has become the latest state where Republicans are proposing a significant rewrite of state election laws.

Ohio has joined the list of states where Republicans want to make changes to voting laws after the 2020 election. The bill includes changes that appeal to both parties, but some that Democrats have spoken against.

State Rep. Bill Seitz said says the bill could reduce early voting days and prohibit ballot drop boxes, but also could add conveniences like online mail-in ballot requests. Seitz has been working on the bill for months.