Ohio REALTORS Lame Duck Legislative Priorities: Driving Key Reforms Before Year-End

By Anastasia Kotkovskaya Manager, Advocacy and Research

As Election Day approaches and Ohio’s General Assembly gears up for its final legislative sessions of the year, Ohio REALTORS® is laser-focused on advancing our legislative priorities during the final two months of the General Assembly, a period known as lame duck session. With limited time remaining, we are working tirelessly to ensure the advancement of key bills that will benefit our members and the real estate industry, as well as protect property owners across the state. Below is a rundown of our top priority bills and why they matter to REALTORS®:

Addressing Squatting: House Bill 478, House Bill 480, Senate Bill 241

• These bills aim to combat unauthorized occupation and protect private property rights by streamlining the process of removing squatters and introducing penalties for title fraud and criminal mischief.
• Ohio REALTORS® supports these efforts to enhance legal clarity and empower property owners to take swift action against squatters while maintaining guardrails to prevent unlawful evictions.
• Read more here.

Regulating Real Estate Wholesaling: Senate Bill 192

• This legislation intends to protect vulnerable homeowners from predatory real estate practices, requiring wholesalers to disclose their intent to sellers and operate transparently.
• Wholesalers often target financially distressed individuals and senior citizens, and this bill brings necessary oversight to prevent exploitation.
• Ohio REALTORS® supports this bill to curb predatory wholesaling while ensuring ethical business practices.
• Read more here.

Short-Term Rentals and Private Property Rights: Senate Bill 299

• SB 299 seeks to standardize regulations for short-term rental properties by limiting the ability of local governments to impose excessive restrictions or all-out bans on short-term rentals.
• This would protect property owners’ rights while allowing them to generate income through rental opportunities.
• Ohio REALTORS® believes that every Ohioan should have the right to use and enjoy their private property without excessive government interference. Governments that impose excessive regulations on short-term rentals infringe upon the fundamental principles of private property rights.

Occupational License Reform: House Bill 238

• The State of Ohio reviews each occupational license every six years. This year, the legislature is reviewing licenses issued by the Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing. HB 238 proposes changes to these occupational licensing laws for real estate professionals.
• During the committee process, provisions were added to this bill to remove Ohio’s unique two-year post-secondary education requirement for brokers, making it easier for experienced salespeople to become brokers.
• Additionally, a provision was added to broaden access to pre-licensing education by eliminating the mandate for real estate schools to offer college credits, which will foster more competition among education providers and reduce tuition costs.
• Ohio REALTORS® successfully defeated an attempt to reduce the hours of pre-licensing education in the House and will need to continue this fight in the Senate.
• Ohio REALTORS® supports these reforms to make the licensing process more accessible while maintaining high industry standards.
• Read more here.

Property Tax Review and Reform Committee

• With property values skyrocketing across Ohio, many homeowners – especially those on fixed incomes – are struggling with steep property tax increases.
• The Joint Committee on Property Tax Review and Reform, made up of 10 legislators from both sides of the aisle, is working to develop balanced solutions. The committee has engaged with stakeholders, including local governments, businesses, and national think tanks, to ensure a fair approach that protects property owners while maintaining funding for essential services.
• The committee's recommendations are due by the end of 2024 and could spark meaningful tax reform legislation in early 2025.
• Ohio REALTORS® continues to advocate for policies that provide relief to homeowners while promoting a balanced tax system that supports both property owners' and local community needs.

Select Committee on Housing

• Ohio is facing a significant housing shortage: with home values soaring and the median income failing to keep pace, homeownership is becoming increasingly out of reach for many residents.
• With the support of Ohio REALTORS®, the Ohio Senate created the Senate Select Committee on Housing to address these challenges through comprehensive research and policy recommendations aimed at revitalizing Ohio’s housing market.
• The committee held 12 hearings statewide, collecting over 35 hours of testimony from over 200 witnesses, including Ohio REALTORS®, to understand housing needs.
• In April 2024, the committee announced its findings and recommendations, which include creating an Ohio Housing Dashboard to track progress and a Housing Toolkit to assist local governments with planning.
• Read more here.

As the General Assembly enters the home stretch, Ohio REALTORS® remains committed to securing these vital legislative victories. These reforms will strengthen property rights, promote fair real estate practices, and ensure Ohio’s housing market continues to thrive. Stay tuned as we navigate these critical final weeks of the legislative calendar!

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