COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio Senate will hold a vote on the bill that would limit the power of Dr. Amy Acton, director of health for the Ohio Department of Health (ODH), the week of May 18, according to John Fortney, press secretary for Ohio Senate President Larry Obhof.
There are several options regarding what form the vote will take:
- It can vote No To Concur, a rejection of the bill that sends it to a conference committee with the house.
- It can vote Yes To Concur, which sends it to the Governor's desk.
- It can vote to pass, which doesn't send the bill to the Governor's desk, but means it stays on the calendar for future action, such as hearings, to make sure the bill is thoroughly vetted.
Fortney pointed out several issues with the bill. It does not include an emergency clause, which means it would take effect 90 days after the governor signs it, rather than immediately.
There were not enough votes in the House to override Gov. Mike DeWine's veto, which he previously stated he would do.
"What is most important is what we are doing today to reopen the state while protecting lives and health," Fortney said.
He also said the Senate will want to make sure the bill is legally sound and will do what it is designed to do. The legislative body will also want to make sure this is something the governor would want to sign into law or see where the legislature would have the ability to override a veto.
