OhioHB 292136th General Assembly (2025-2026)House

Establish the Ohio Defense Commission

Sponsored By: Nick Santucci (Republican), Ty D. Mathews (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Economic DevelopmentFinance and AppropriationsMilitary and Veterans

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

New commission guides Ohio defense growth

The law creates the Ohio Defense and Space Advisory Commission within the Department of Development. It advises on grants and industry growth, connects businesses, military leaders, and schools, and recommends ways to attract international investment. It also addresses military base changes, promotes counter-drone research and manufacturing, and considers service-member and veteran quality of life. The development director chairs the commission, serving with the Adjutant General, four lawmakers, and three defense or aerospace experts. Each legislative chamber supplies one majority-party and one minority-party member. The Governor, Senate President, and House Speaker each appoint one expert. Appointed members must have no legal conflicts of interest, and members are public officials under state criminal law. Appointments last two years; lawmakers serve for their legislative terms and can be reappointed. Removal and replacement follow the original appointment process, and no ex officio members are allowed. Members receive no pay but get actual, necessary work expenses reimbursed from commission funding. Meetings follow Ohio's open-meeting rules, with at least six meetings yearly beginning in 2027. Annual activity reports, findings, and recommendations are due December 31 to the Governor, development director, Senate President, and House Speaker.

New grants support Ohio defense projects

The Department of Development can award grants for economic development tied to Ohio's defense and aerospace industries. It must adopt rules setting applications, eligibility criteria, grant agreements, maximum awards, and the maximum grant share of project costs. The law adds $5 million from the General Revenue Fund for fiscal year 2027, with $0 for fiscal year 2026. This money is limited to the grant program and commission; it is not all reserved for grants. The budget director must establish funding accounts and follow the accounting rules of Ohio's state budget law.

Defense grant recipients face spending checks

Only the awarded recipient can spend grant funds, and spending or commitments must follow the grant agreement. Recipients must return unspent or uncommitted funds; agreement violations can require repayment of all grant funds. A final accounting is due within 30 days after all funds are spent or committed, using generally accepted accounting principles. Recipients must keep grant-funded equipment and use it throughout its useful life. The department can audit projects at any time and inspect records onsite. Recipients must provide original or verifiable receipts and documentation within 10 days of a request. Records must be kept for two years after the final project report is accepted.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Cosponsors

Adam Holmes
Republican • House
Adam Mathews
Republican • House
Andrea White
Republican • House
Angela N. King
Republican • House
Bernard Willis
Republican • House
Beth Lear
Republican • House
Bill Roemer
Republican • House
Brian Lampton
Republican • House
Brian Lorenz
Republican • House
Brian Stewart
Republican • House
Cecil Thomas
Democratic • House
Cindy Abrams
Republican • House
David Thomas
Republican • House
Derrick Hall
Democratic • House
Desiree Tims
Democratic • House
Elgin Rogers, Jr.
Democratic • House
Gary Click
Republican • House
Haraz N. Ghanbari
Republican • House
Heidi Workman
Republican • House
Jack K. Daniels
Republican • House
James M. Hoops
Republican • House
Jason Stephens
Republican • House
Jean Schmidt
Republican • House
Johnathan Newman
Republican • House
Joseph A. Miller, III
Democratic • House
Karen Brownlee
Democratic • House
Kellie Deeter
Republican • House
Kevin D. Miller
Republican • House
Kevin Ritter
Republican • House
Kyle Koehler
Republican • Senate
Marilyn John
Republican • House
Mark Hiner
Republican • House
Mark Sigrist
Democratic • House
Melanie Miller
Republican • House
Meredith Craig
Republican • House
Meredith R. Lawson-Rowe
Democratic • House
Michael D. Dovilla
Republican • House
Mike Odioso
Republican • House
Phil Plummer
Republican • House
Roy Klopfenstein
Republican • House
Sean P. Brennan
Democratic • House
Tex Fischer
Republican • House
Thomas Hall
Republican • House
Tom Young
Republican • House
Tracy M. Richardson
Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 219 • No: 17

House vote • 6/10/2026

Concurred in Senate amendments

Yes: 86 • No: 7

Senate vote • 6/10/2026

Passed

Yes: 33 • No: 0

Senate vote • 6/9/2026

Workforce Development: Reported

Yes: 6 • No: 0

House vote • 3/4/2026

Passed

Yes: 82 • No: 10

House vote • 2/25/2026

Veterans and Military Development: Reported

Yes: 12 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

Signed by Governor
7/7/2026Governor
Sent to Governor
7/1/2026Governor
Concurred in Senate amendments
6/10/2026House
Passed
6/10/2026Senate
Reported
6/9/2026Senate
Refer to Committee
3/24/2026Senate
Introduced
3/11/2026Senate
Passed
3/4/2026House
Reported
2/25/2026House
Refer to Committee
5/21/2025House
Introduced
5/20/2025House

Bill Text

As Enrolled
7/7/2026
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As Introduced
HTML PDF
As Passed by the House
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As Passed by the Senate
HTML PDF
As Reported by the House Veterans and Military Development Committee
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As Reported by the Senate Workforce Development Committee
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