For the next month, Ohio lawmakers are rushing to pass every remaining bill they want before the year ends. We learned some of their priorities.
It’s a race to the finish line.
“There should be a sense of urgency about getting this done,” Gov. Mike DeWine said.
Every remaining bill that doesn’t get passed during the lame duck session dies. Lawmakers would have to go through the same process starting next year to get their bill passed.
The most immediate priority comes from DeWine.
“Hyped-up hemp is being sold in gas stations all over the state of Ohio,” the governor said. “There’s no age limit.”
He has been urging lawmakers for months now to regulate or outright ban delta-8 — what he calls “intoxicating hemp.” Right now, it’s legal for anyone to buy this low-level marijuana at convenience stores. There are bills to address this in each chamber.
RELATED: Ohio GOP introduces bill to regulate delta-8
Another priority is SJR 4, a new constitutional amendment. House Majority Floor Leader Bill Seitz (R-Cincinnati) explained that this would renew Ohio’s authority to issue bonds to fund local-level public infrastructure capital improvement projects.