5 bills Ohio lawmakers pushed for in 2021

Hot topics like infrastructure and COVID-19 dominated the discourse in Washington this year, and Ohio representatives made their feelings about them loud and clear.

But amid the sparring, members of the congressional delegation pushed legislation to help veterans, college athletes and more.

Democratic Rep. Tim Ryan of Warren, who is also running for Senate, introduced 24 bills in 2021 – the most of anyone in the Buckeye State. Rep. Bob Latta, a Bowling Green Republican, followed closely behind with 21.

No proposals from the current delegation have been signed into law yet, but they illustrate what issues are deemed important by the people Ohioans elect to serve them.

Here’s a look at some of the measures.

Suing Twitter

The one bill introduced this year by Rep. Jim Jordan, R-urbana, aims to change Section 230, an internet communications law that allows websites to moderate content and protects them from lawsuits over users’ post.

Under Jordan’s legislation, which he first proposed in 2020, providers could be liable for screening or blocking content unless it violates the terms of use or is obscene, illegal, violent or promoting terrorism and extremism. It also calls on providers to make their terms of use public and bars them from restricting material “on deceptive grounds.”

The bill is a response to criticism by Jordan and other conservatives that companies like Facebook and Twitter unfairly target Republicans and can’t be held accountable under current law.

Teaching Black history

Rep. Joyce Beatty, D-columbus, introduced legislation in early 2021 that would require colleges, libraries and museums to teach Black history in order to be eligible for certain grants from the U.S. Department of Education. Black history would also be included in tests administered by the National Assessment of Educational Progress.

“Since before its founding, the United States of America has benefited from and been enhanced by the integral role African Americans have played in our country’s history and contributions to the world,” the bill states.

Helping college athletes get paid

A bill from Rep. Anthony Gonzalez, Rrocky River – who played wide receiver for Ohio State University – would allow college athletes to benefit from their own name, image or likeness with endorsements and other deals.

Universities and athletic organizations could only bar contracts with tobacco and alcohol companies, casinos, adult entertainment businesses and sellers of marijuana and other controlled substances. Schools could also prohibit athletes from wearing sponsored clothing during a game or other athletic university-sponsored event.

The bill mirrors a law signed earlier this year by Gov. Mike Dewine. The NCAA also adopted its own rules on name, image and likeness months after Gonzalez introduced his bill.

Streamlining veterans’ services

Legislation spearheaded by Rep. Brad Wenstrup, R-columbia Tusculum, aims to streamline veterans’ services by creating the Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration. The new silo within the Department of Veterans Affairs would focus on programs for home loans, employment, education and the transition to civilian life.

The bill passed the House in May and awaits Senate action. Wenstrup has pushed for the measure in multiple sessions.

Protecting children in hot cars

Ryan unveiled a bill that would require cars to be equipped with safety systems aimed at curbing the number of deaths among children left alone in hot vehicles. The mechanism must detect an unattended occupant and give off visual and auditory signals to alert people in and outside of the car.

The bill also would allow the transportation secretary to consider a secondary warning that provides the location of the car and alerts emergency responders and operators who aren’t near the car.

To learn more about what your representative is doing in Washington, visit congress.gov.