Republican Ohio House Speaker Jason Stephens said Tuesday that he will not introduce a controversial higher education overhaul bill to the House during the lame-duck session.
Senate Bill 83 has been stuck in the Ohio chamber for almost a year. senator Jerry CirinoR-Kirtland introduced the bill last year, which quickly passed the Senate and was introduced in the House Higher Education Commission just before Christmasbut he hasn’t seen any movement since then.
“We will not be dealing with Senate Bill 83,” Stephens, of Kitts Hill, said Tuesday when asked about the future of the bill. “We have many other things that are much more important than this.”
Cirino told the Ohio Capital Journal later that day that he was disappointed by Stephens’ comments but plans to reintroduce the bill in the next General Assembly.
“It’s unfortunate because it doesn’t diminish the importance of this bill,” he said. “That doesn’t mean this legislation will ultimately pass.”
SB 83 underwent nearly a dozen amendments – including the removal of the anti-strike provision that was replaced by a a provision regarding job cuts that would prevent unions from negotiating employment conditions.
Cirino, who won re-election to the Senate seat, said the bill he plans to introduce in January would restore some provisions that were removed from the current bill, including an anti-strike provision.
“When a student pays for tuition, he or she is entitled to an education no matter what,” he said.
It’s been more than a year and a half since Cirino first introduced SB 83, so he said there may be other higher education issues he could add to the fresh bill, “but I don’t know what they will be at this stage.”
Stephens’ absence as House speaker could lend a hand with the promotion Cirino’s future bill. Under Stephens, SB 83 was never on the House agenda.
Stephens announced Monday that he would not seek re-election as speaker, and the House GOP caucus will choose the next speaker on Wednesday. Huffman and Rep. Tim Barhorst, R-Fort Loramie, are running for speaker.
“We will remain opposed to (SB 83), whether in this General Assembly or in the future,” he said House Minority Leader Allison RussoD-Upper Arlington.
What’s in SB 83?
Bill would prohibit mandatory diversity, equity, and inclusion training unless required to meet state and federal law, professional licensing requirements, or to receive accreditation or grants.
According to the provision of the bill regarding cost reduction, universities could fire tenure-track professors for a wide list of reasons, including shrinking student populations. Faculty with 30-35 years of service experience will be protected.
SB 83 defines a controversial belief or policy as “any belief or policy that is the subject of political controversy, including issues such as climate policy, electoral policy, foreign policy, diversity, equity and inclusion programs, immigration policy, marriage or abortion. “
The bill would allow students to “draw their own conclusions about any controversial beliefs or policies and would not seek to indoctrinate any social, political or religious viewpoint.”
SB 83 received an overwhelming response. Hundreds of people testified against the bill, including a marathon seven-hour hearing of the Senate Workforce and Higher Education Committee last spring. Rallies against the bill were also held, including a mock funeral.
Follow the OCJ reporter Megan Henry on X
YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE.
