Bill > HB129

This bill modifies Ohio's school property tax levy rules, primarily focusing on fixed-sum levies and providing additional flexibility for school districts experiencing financial challenges or emergencies. The bill makes several key changes, including expanding the circumstances under which school districts can propose new or renewed tax levies. Specifically, districts can now propose levies if they are in fiscal caution, fiscal watch, fiscal emergency, or impacted by a disaster declaration. The bill introduces new provisions for renewing existing levies, limiting renewals to five years instead of ten, and clarifies the process for ballot language and election procedures. The bill also adds definitions for terms like "disaster declaration" and "disaster period" and makes technical changes to how tax levies are calculated and certified. Importantly, the changes to tax reduction calculations will apply starting in tax year 2026, giving school districts and local governments time to adapt to the new rules. The bill aims to provide more targeted financial support and flexibility for school districts facing extraordinary circumstances while maintaining fiscal accountability.