Bill > HB409

This bill amends Ohio Revised Code section 102.031 to prohibit members of the General Assembly (state legislators) from accepting free or discounted tickets to professional sporting events, with a specific exception for tickets that are part of a promotion generally available to the public and offered on the same terms as those available to the public. The bill defines defines "professional sporting event" as events played by teams in the National Football League, National Hockey League, Major League Baseball, Major League Soccer, or the National Basketball Association. If a legislator violates this provision, the Joint Legislative Ethics Committee may impose a fine of up to $1,000. The bill builds upon existing ethics rules for legislators that already restrict accepting values over expenses over $75 from legislative agents, and aims to prevent potential conflicts of interest or improper influence by limiting legislators' ability to receive complimentary sports tickets from parties who might seek to sway their legislative actions.

Government Affairs

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/136/hb409