Ohio General Assembly Adjourns for Summer Recess
Read the OOA Legislative Update for July 2018
(July 6, 2018) The Ohio General Assembly recessed for summer break, June 27, after marathon sessions in both the House and Senate that lasted well into the evening. For the House of Representatives, it was a final attempt to address a backlog of legislation from the weeks-long deadlock over electing a new speaker. The 30+ bills included measures to toughen penalties for fentanyl traffickers, reduce state regulations by giving more power to the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review, and prohibit pharmacy benefit managers from imposing gag orders that prevent pharmacists from telling customers about cheaper drug options.
This year’s law-making timeline is also disrupted, since 2018 is a major election year. The summer recess offers candidates time to campaign for the November election. All 99 seats in the Ohio House are up for election as well as one-half of state senate seats. In addition, Ohioans will also choose a new Governor, State Auditor, Treasurer, Attorney General, all members of the US House, one of our US Senators, and two members of the Ohio Supreme Court.
State Rep. Terry Johnson, DO, who has been a tireless advocate for the osteopathic profession during his eight years in the House, is term-limited and will not be running for reelection.
