HB 280
Disclaimer: Cleveland Lead Advocates is an all volunteer 501 c 3 organization. Since CLASH is all volunteer, no organizational funds are used for lobbying public bodies.
CLASH has already submitted comments to the committee chairman in the hopes that the chairman would pause action on the bill. I'm planning to update our comments to the chairman and submit this as opponent testimony to the whole committee, no later than Monday at noon.
Let me know if you have comments, questions or suggestions to add to this testimony.
spencer
April 19. 2024
December 5: Planning meeting notes Andre, Brooke, Brian, Chantal, Darrick, Molly, Samario, Spencer
What's in HB 280?
Convert the existing lead abatement tax credit to a refundable tax credit so that Limited Liability Corporations (LLCs) can receive cash in lieu of credits for lead abatement work. (Keep in mind that LLCs in Ohio already have a $250,000 exemption from state income tax so that a refundable tax credit would be a cash payment from the State to a private corporation.)
Direct Ohio Department of Health (ODH) to amend the administrative code to permit lead clearance techs to approve interim controls and then certify their own work as being lead safe. Prior to a lead clearance examination, allows a clearance technician, lead inspector, or lead risk assessor to conduct interim controls at a residential unit, child care facility, or school, and allows those individuals to charge a fee for the performance of the interim controls. See lead professionals
Penalize local governments that require a property owner to obtain a certification that indicates that a property is safe from lead hazards for rental registration. If a local government repeatedly misses a 30-day deadline to approve application the local government could be 10% or 20% reduction in local government funds (LGF).
2. What should CLASH do?
Andre says CLASH should fight this bill. Discussion-seems to be a consensus to respond
3. What is our strategy?
Inside vs. outside options. Inside seems to have the consensus.
Monitor the bill with Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio (COHHIO) and Ohio Housing Law Center (OPLC) for signs that the bill might start moving. IF YES, then shift to an outside strategy.
Items to emphasize look at the Cleveland draft comments.
4. Next steps
Learn more about the chairman’s district. Are there local groups who could be in opposition?
Prepare a position paper for Board meeting on 12/12. Share position paper with the chairman, member organizations, supportive local House and Senate reps
Follow up with Cleveland Heights.
Do more public records research on zip codes of owners who have received tax credits. Would HB 280 disadvantage African american property owners?
Is there another W&M committee member who could act in place of the Chairman?
See if raising the single subject rule could be an objection.
5. Worth a thought. HB 280 could be a trial balloon for rewrite and submit as an amendment to the next budget bill.