Ohio 136th General Assembly Status: Introduced Bipartisan · 1 D · 1 R cosponsors

HB 255 — Create the Ohio Sports Commission

Last action — Reported - Substitute

  1. 1
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed House
  4. 4
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been introduced in the House. Introduced May 06, 2025. It must pass committee before a floor vote.

Next likely step: a committee referral and hearing.

Odds of enactment

Low chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a low chance of becoming law.

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A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Stalled 30% · moderate confidence

  • Introduced

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 2 sponsors

    1 primary, 1 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Bipartisan support

    Sponsored across 2 parties (1 D · 1 R) — cross-party backing.

  • Mixed recorded votes

    1 passed, 1 failed in recorded votes so far.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

In plain language

The bill establishes the Ohio Sports Commission.

This legislation creates the Ohio Sports Commission, which will focus on promoting and supporting sports in Ohio. It aims to enhance the state's sports industry and related activities.

Summary

To enact sections 122.97, 122.971, and 122.972 of the Revised Code to create the Ohio Sports Commission.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

99 added · 105 removed

Plain-language change summary

The recent amendments to Bill HB 255 changed the name from the "Ohio Sports Commission" to the "Ohio Sports Council" and adjusted its focus. Instead of primarily aiming to enhance life quality through event promotion, the council will now assess the economic impacts of sporting events and make policy recommendations to boost the sporting event economy in Ohio. This change is significant because it emphasizes economic evaluation and strategic recommendations, which could lead to more targeted support for sports-related activities that benefit the state's economy.

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As Introduced 136th General Assembly Regular Session H.
As Reported by the House Arts, Athletics, and Tourism Committee 136th General Assembly Regular Session Sub.
H.
Representatives Brennan, Russo, Santucci, Robb Blasdel A BILL To enact sections 122.97, 122.971, and 122.972 of 1 the Revised Code to create the Ohio Sports 2 Commission.
Representatives Brennan, Russo, Santucci, Robb Blasdel, McNally To enact sections 122.123 and 122.124 of the 1 Revised Code to create the Ohio Sports Council.
3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF OHIO:
2 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF OHIO:
That sections 122.97, 122.971, and 122.972 of 4 the Revised Code be enacted to read as follows:
That sections 122.123 and 122.124 of the 3 Revised Code be enacted to read as follows:
5 Sec.
4 Sec.
122.97.
122.123.
The Ohio sports commission is created within 6 the department of development.
(A) As used in this section and section 5 122.124 of the Revised Code, "sport" has the same meaning as in 6 section 122.12 of the Revised Code.
7 The purpose of the commission is to enhance the quality of 8 life in this state through the attraction, promotion, and 9 development of national and international sports.
7 (B) The Ohio sports council is created within the 8 department of development.
The commission 10 shall partner and coordinate with convention and visitor 11 bureaus, chambers of commerce, municipal corporations, sports 12 organizations, venues, and appropriate stakeholders to attract 13 and host sporting events that enhance the state's economy and 14 image.
The purpose of the council is to 9 assess the economic impacts of sporting events in this state and 10 make recommendations to the general assembly regarding policies 11 that can expand the sporting event economy in this state.
15 Sec.
12 (C) The council shall consist of the following fourteen 13 members:
122.971.
14 (1) Two members of the senate appointed by the president 15 of the senate, one of whom shall be recommended by the minority 16 leader of the senate;
(A) The board of commissioners of the Ohio 16 sports commission is created.
17 (2) Two members of the house of representatives appointed 18 Sub.
The board shall do all of the 17 following:
H.
18 H.
255 Page 2 As Introduced (1) Study the promotion and development of sports tourism 19 in this state, with a view to fulfilling the purpose of the Ohio 20 sports commission under section 122.29 of the Revised Code;
255 Page 2 As Reported by the House Arts, Athletics, and Tourism Committee by the speaker of the house of representatives, one of whom 19 shall be recommended by the minority leader of the house of 20 representatives;
21 (2) Partner and communicate with private and public 22 stakeholders to attract sports events to this state;
21 (3) One member that represents convention and visitors' 22 bureaus in this state, appointed by the speaker of the house of 23 representatives;
23 (3) Develop policy recommendations for the general 24 assembly, the governor, and local governments;
24 (4) One member that represents convention and visitors' 25 bureaus in this state, appointed by the president of the senate;
25 (4) Study the establishment of a new grant program to 26 support emerging sports economies throughout the state, 27 including a funding source for the program;
26 (5) One member that represents local sports commissions 27 throughout the state, appointed by the governor;
28 (5) Not later than six months after the effective date of 29 this section, issue a report of its findings and recommendations 30 to the governor, the president of the senate, and the speaker of 31 the house of representatives.
28 (6) One member that represents local sports commissions 29 throughout the state, appointed by the speaker of the house of 30 representatives;
32 (B) The board of commissioners of the Ohio sports 33 commission shall consist of the following seventeen members, and 34 the membership shall reflect the diversity of the state:
31 (7) One member that represents local sports commission 32 throughout the state, appointed by the president of the senate;
35 (1) The governor or the governor's designee;
33 (8) Three members that represent sports facilities that 34 host events in this state, including at least one member that 35 represents a national collegiate athletic association or 36 professional sports venue, appointed by the governor;
36 (2) The director of development or the director's 37 designee;
37 (9) One member that represents professional or amateur 38 sports governance organizations, such as the national collegiate 39 athletic association or a professional sports team, appointed by 40 the speaker of the house of representatives;
38 (3) One member of the majority party of the senate 39 appointed by the president of the senate;
41 (10) One member that represents professional or amateur 42 sports governance organizations, such as the national collegiate 43 athletic association or a professional sports team, appointed by 44 the president of the senate.
40 (4) One member of the minority party of the senate 41 appointed by the senate minority leader;
45 (D) The members of the council shall be appointed within 46 Sub.
42 (5) One member of the majority party of the house of 43 representatives appointed by the speaker of the house of 44 representatives;
H.
45 H.
255 Page 3 As Introduced (6) One member of the minority party of the house of 46 representatives appointed by the minority leader of the house of 47 representatives;
255 Page 3 As Reported by the House Arts, Athletics, and Tourism Committee thirty days after the commencement of the first regular session 47 of each general assembly, and shall serve until the expiration 48 of the session of the general assembly during which they were 49 appointed.
48 (7) One member of an organization in this state that 49 represents student athletes, appointed by the governor;
Members of the council who are also members of the 50 general assembly shall only be members of the council as long as 51 they hold the office of member of the general assembly.
50 (8) One member of an organization in this state that 51 represents professional athletes, appointed by the governor;
A 52 vacancy on the council shall be filled in the same manner as the 53 original appointment.
52 (9) One member that represents convention and visitors' 53 bureaus in this state, appointed by the governor;
54 (E) Members of the council shall serve without 55 compensation, but shall be reimbursed for the actual and 56 necessary expenses incurred in the performance of official 57 duties.
54 (10) Four members that represent local sports commissions 55 throughout the state, recommended by sports commissions 56 throughout the state, and appointed by the governor;
58 (F) Subject to the availability of funding, the council 59 may appoint such employees as it considers necessary to carry 60 out its duties under this section and section 122.124 of the 61 Revised Code.
57 (11) Two members that represent private stakeholders in 58 the sports industry or tourism industries in this state, 59 appointed by the governor;
The department of development shall provide office 62 space and meeting areas for the council.
60 (12) Two members that represent athletes in this state, 61 appointed by the governor.
63 (G) The council shall elect a chairperson at its first 64 meeting, and biannually thereafter.
62 (C) Of the members appointed by the governor, six shall be 63 appointed to initial terms of two years, and five shall be 64 appointed to initial terms of four years.
The council shall meet at 65 the call of its chairperson to conduct its official business.
Thereafter, all 65 members appointed by the governor shall be appointed to terms of 66 four years.
A 66 majority of the members of the council constitutes a quorum.
All members of the board appointed by the speaker 67 and minority leader of the house of representatives or the 68 president and minority leader of the senate shall be appointed 69 within thirty days after the commencement of the first regular 70 session of each general assembly, and shall serve until the 71 expiration of the session of the general assembly during which 72 they were appointed, provided they continue to hold the office 73 of member of the general assembly.
The 67 vote of at least nine members of the council is necessary for 68 the council to take any official action.
A vacancy on the board shall 74 H.
69 Sec.
122.124.
The Ohio sports council created under 70 section 122.123 of the Revised Code shall partner and coordinate 71 with the department of taxation, local sports commissions, 72 convention and visitors' bureaus, chambers of commerce, 73 municipal corporations, venues, and appropriate stakeholders to 74 assess the following:
Show all 55 changed rows (15 more)
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75 Sub.
H.
255 Page 4 As Introduced be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.
255 Page 4 As Reported by the House Arts, Athletics, and Tourism Committee (A) State tax revenue received through direct 76 participation in sporting events;
75 Members of the board shall serve without compensation, but 76 shall be reimbursed for the actual and necessary expenses 77 incurred in the performance of official duties, payable from the 78 fund created in section 122.292 of the Revised Code.
77 (B) State tax revenue received through indirect economic 78 activities in relation to sporting events;
79 (D) The board may appoint such employees as it considers 80 necessary to carry out its duties under this section.
79 (C) Local tax revenue received through direct 80 participation in sporting events;
The 81 department of development shall provide office space and meeting 82 areas for the board.
81 (D) Local tax revenue received through indirect economic 82 activities in relation to sporting events;
83 (E) The board shall elect a chairperson at its first 84 meeting, and biannually thereafter.
83 (E) Incremental increases of state and local tax revenue 84 derived from sporting events that choose to locate in this state 85 rather than out of state;
The board shall meet at the 85 call of its chairperson to conduct its official business.
86 (F) Marketing benefits to this state and the local 87 community hosting sporting events, as determined by the council;
A 86 majority of the members of the board constitutes a quorum.
88 (G) Other economic impact indicators as determined by the 89 council.
The 87 vote of at least nine members of the board is necessary for the 88 board to take any official action.
90
89 Sec.
122.972.
The Ohio sports commission fund is created 90 in the state treasury consisting of money credited or 91 transferred to it and grants, gifts, and contributions made 92 directly to it.
Money in the fund shall be used to defray costs 93 incurred by the Ohio sports commission in fulfilling its duties 94 under sections 122.29 and 122.291 of the Revised Code.
95
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Action History

  1. As Reported by the House Arts, Athletics, and Tourism Committee

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 1 co-sponsors · 132 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (1)

Not signed on (132)

132 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

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Votes

Subjects

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Frequently asked questions

What does HB 255 do?
To enact sections 122.97, 122.971, and 122.972 of the Revised Code to create the Ohio Sports Commission.
Who sponsors HB 255?
HB 255 is sponsored by Dontavius L. Jarrells (Democratic) and Melanie Miller (Republican).
What is the current status of HB 255?
This bill has been introduced in the House. Introduced May 06, 2025. It must pass committee before a floor vote.
Where can I track HB 255?
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