Their bills, from filing to law
Bills Cecil Thomas was a primary sponsor of this session. Most bills from either party never leave committee; in Illinois many never get past the Assignments or Rules committee.
Introduced160
Out of committee115
Passed one chamber113
Passed both chambers73
Became law72
Never left committee45
For comparison, the median Democratic member of the House has 56 bills that became law this session.
What their bills are about
Special Designations 34House Transportation Committee 25Crimes, Corrections, and Law Enforcement : Crime and Punishment 25House Public Safety Committee 22Crimes, Corrections, and Law Enforcement 21Transportation 20
Designate Deputy Daniel "Weston" Sherrer Memorial Highway
In plain English Designates a portion of U.S. Route 42 in Morrow County as the Deputy Daniel "Weston" Sherrer Memorial Highway.
Official synopsis: To enact section 5534.474 of the Revised Code to designate a portion of U.S. Route 42 in Morrow County as the "Deputy Daniel "Weston" Sherrer Memorial Highway."
Became lawEffective · 2026-10-06
Alter amusement ride classification for inspection fee purposes
To amend sections 905.39, 905.55, 905.59, 915.14, 917.20, 918.12, 923.43, 923.47, 924.07, 924.53, 993.01, 993.04, 1327.52, 1327.55, 3715.04, 4707.091, and 4707.151 and to repeal section 1345.021 of the Revised Code to revise various laws governing agriculture.
Became lawEffective · 2026-10-06
Establish the Ohio Defense Commission
In plain English Creates the Ohio Defense and Space Advisory Commission and allows the Department of Development to make grants through a Defense and Aerospace Industries Expansion Program.
Official synopsis: To enact sections 122.952, 122.953, and 122.954 of the Revised Code to establish the Ohio Defense and Space Advisory Commission and the Defense and Aerospace Industries Expansion Program, under which the Department of Development may make grants, and to make an appropriation.
Became lawEffective Appropriations effective July 7, 2026 · 2026-10-06
Regards funds provided by county for Memorial Day expenses
In plain English Allows counties to provide more money to military, veterans, and civic organizations for Memorial Day expenses.
Official synopsis: To amend section 307.66 of the Revised Code to increase the amount a county may provide to military and veterans organizations, and civic organizations, for Memorial Day expenses.
Became lawEffective · 2026-10-06
Regards drone use by law enforcement; aviation facilities
In plain English Requires law enforcement and public entities to meet specified requirements when using or purchasing drones, and adds more aviation facilities to state aviation law.
Official synopsis: To amend sections 4561.01 and 4561.11 and to enact sections 4561.60, 4561.61, 4561.62, 4561.63, 4561.64, and 5501.84 of the Revised Code to establish requirements related to the use and purchase of an unmanned aerial vehicle by law enforcement and other public entities and to expressly…
Became lawEffective Certain provisions effective October 6, 2030 · 2026-10-06
Regards the sale of used catalytic converters
To amend sections 2913.02, 2913.51, 4737.012, 4737.04, 4737.041, 4737.043, 4737.045, 4737.99, 4738.03, 4738.07, 4738.12, and 4775.09 and to enact section 4737.046 of the Revised Code regarding the sale of used catalytic converters.
Became lawEffective · 2026-10-06
Prohibit harassing or impeding an emergency service responder
In plain English Increases penalties for obstructing or menacing emergency service responders performing their duties.
Official synopsis: To amend sections 2903.22 and 2921.31 of the Revised Code to modify the offense of obstructing official business when the victim is an emergency service responder, to increase the penalty for obstructing official business when the victim is an emergency service responder who is engaged…
Became lawEffective · 2026-10-06
Include maple syrup, maple product production to agriculture law
In plain English Includes maple syrup and maple product production in Ohio's agriculture laws.
Official synopsis: To amend sections 1.61, 303.01, 519.01, 901.511, 929.01, 1311.55, 1729.01, 5501.50, and 5713.30 of the Revised Code to expressly include the cultivation of trees to produce maple syrup and maple products in the laws relating to agriculture.
Passed one chamberReferred to committee: Agriculture and Natural Resources · 2026-09-30
Urge Congress to implement a zero-based budgeting process
In plain English Urges Congress to adopt a zero-based budgeting process for federal spending.
Official synopsis: To urge the United States Congress to implement a zero-based budgeting process.
Passed one chamberReferred to committee: Finance · 2026-09-30
Regards registered veterinary technician authority
In plain English Allows registered veterinary technicians to dispense and administer vaccines and antiparasitic medication to shelter dogs and cats on behalf of a veterinarian.
Official synopsis: To amend section 4741.19 and to enact section 4741.191 of the Revised Code to establish procedures that allow a registered veterinary technician to establish an assess and treat relationship on behalf of a veterinarian to dispense and administer vaccines and antiparasitic medication to a shelter…
Passed one chamberReferred to committee: Agriculture and Natural Resources · 2026-09-30
Enact Amanda Dean's Law
In plain English Increases penalties for abuse of a corpse.
Official synopsis: To amend section 2927.01 of the Revised Code to enact Amanda Dean's Law to increase the penalties for abuse of a corpse.
Passed one chamberReferred to committee: Judiciary · 2026-09-30
Regards police escorts for farm equipment, agricultural vehicles
In plain English Allows police escorts for farm equipment and vehicles hauling agricultural goods, and permits farm equipment operation on limited access highways under certain conditions.
Official synopsis: To amend sections 4511.051 and 4513.34 and to enact section 4513.341 of the Revised Code regarding police escorts for farm equipment and vehicles that haul agricultural equipment and produce and the operation of farm equipment and machinery on limited access highways and freeways.
Passed one chamberReferred to committee: Armed Services, Veterans Affairs and Public Safety · 2026-09-30
Regards DoDD authority re: community capital assistance funds
In plain English Allows the Department of Developmental Disabilities to adopt rules regarding how community capital assistance funds are used.
Official synopsis: To amend section 5123.351 of the Revised Code regarding the authority of the Department of Developmental Disabilities to adopt rules regarding the use of community capital assistance funds.
Passed one chamberReferred to committee: Finance · 2026-09-30
Enact V.J.'s Law
In plain English Requires health care professionals to report suspected child abuse or neglect to both a police officer and child protective services.
Official synopsis: To amend sections 2151.421 and 2151.99 of the Revised Code to enact V.J.'s Law to require health care professionals to report child abuse or neglect to both a peace officer and the public children services agency.
Passed one chamberReferred to committee: Armed Services, Veterans Affairs and Public Safety · 2026-09-30
Require US-produced iron, steel be used on state-funded projects
In plain English Requires iron and steel produced in the United States to be used on projects funded by the state.
Official synopsis: To amend sections 153.011, 153.99, 3333.071, and 5525.21 of the Revised Code to require iron or steel that is produced in the United States be used on projects supported by state funds.
Passed one chamberReferred to committee: Finance · 2026-09-30
“In plain English” lines are written by ThePolitibase with AI (Claude), from the official synopsis only; the synopsis is the authoritative text. Descriptions are the legislature’s own synopsis. Bill data from LegiScan, CC BY 4.0.