Ohio House Speaker Jason Stephens has announced that he will not advance Senate Bill 83 during the current lame duck session. The legislative proposal, which seeks to reform higher education in Ohio, has been stalled in the House for nearly a year.
Senate Bill 83, introduced by Senator Jerry Cirino, R-Kirtland, passed swiftly through the Senate and was sent to the Higher Education Committee late last year. However, the bill has not progressed since then. When asked about the bill’s future, Stephens stated that it would not be addressed, citing other priorities as more pressing.
Cirino expressed disappointment regarding Stephens’ decision, indicating plans to reintroduce the bill in the upcoming General Assembly. He emphasized that the bill’s importance remains unchanged and expressed belief that it will ultimately be approved.
The legislative proposal has undergone nearly a dozen revisions, one of which included the removal of an anti-striking provision, replaced by a retrenchment provision that restricts union negotiations concerning tenure. Cirino, who was reelected to his Senate seat, stated his intention to reintegrate some provisions that were removed from the current version, specifically the anti-striking clause. He remarked on the expectation that students are entitled to instruction for which they have paid.
As over a year and a half has passed since Cirino first proposed Senate Bill 83, he acknowledged that the new bill may incorporate additional issues impacting higher education.
With Stephens’ upcoming departure as House Speaker, it is believed that Cirino’s proposed legislation may gain more support. Under Stephens’ leadership, Senate Bill 83 has not been included in any House Session agendas.
Stephens confirmed on Monday that he will not seek reelection for the Speaker position, with the House GOP caucus scheduled to elect a new Speaker this Wednesday. Senate President Matt Huffman and Representative Tim Barhorst, R-Fort Loramie, are among the candidates for this role.
House Minority Leader Allison Russo, D-Upper Arlington, indicated that opposition to Senate Bill 83 will persist both in the current General Assembly and in the future.
Overview of Senate Bill 83
Senate Bill 83 proposes a ban on mandatory diversity, equity, and inclusion training unless it is mandated by existing state or federal laws or professional licensure requirements. The bill’s retrenchment provisions would allow universities to terminate tenured faculty for reasons such as a decline in student enrollment, though protections would be afforded to faculty with extensive tenure.
The legislation broadly defines controversial beliefs and policies, encompassing topics such as climate change, electoral politics, and issues related to diversity and inclusion. It also aims to empower students to form independent conclusions regarding these beliefs and policies without imposing political or ideological biases.
Senate Bill 83 has faced considerable backlash, with numerous individuals submitting testimonies against it during a lengthy seven-hour Senate hearing last spring, alongside various protests, including a symbolic mock funeral.
For further developments on this legislative matter, follow reporter Megan Henry on social media.
Original source: Ohio Capital Journal