Lame Duck Session Recap: Advancing Legislative Wins for Ohio REALTORS
By Anastasia Kotkovskaya, Manager, Advocacy and Research
This month marked the conclusion of the 135th Ohio General Assembly and we at Ohio REALTORS® wanted to take this opportunity to recap what transpired during lame duck session and reflect on the progress made on our legislative priorities. Since the legislature returned from summer recess two months ago, the public policy team has worked diligently to advance key reforms that protect REALTOR® members, enhance real estate practices, and benefit property owners across the state. The following key issues were central to our work:
Homebuyer Plus Program Expansion
Ohio REALTORS® proudly supported Senate Bill (SB) 257, legislation that seeks to expand the Ohio Homebuyer Plus Program to active-duty military personnel stationed in Ohio. This program is already being used by over 19,000 Ohioans, providing them with tax-favored savings accounts with above-market interest rates that help them save up for the purchase of a home. During lame duck, Ohio REALTORS® spearheaded this bill through the legislative process, highlighting the importance of extending this program to service members and supporting their path to homeownership. The bill has been signed by Governor Mike DeWine.
Read more about this legislation:
Ohio REALTORS Supports Ohio Homebuyer Plus Expansion to Military Personnel.
Ohio Legislature | 135 General Assembly | Senate Bill 257
Housing Technical Assistance Funding
On the last night of lame duck session, a provision was added to a massive 441-page amendment to allocate $1.5 million annually to help local governments modernize their outdated zoning and housing codes. The massive omnibus bill was passed and now heads to the governor for his signature. This funding will provide communities with the resources needed to update restrictive zoning practices. Ohio REALTORS® testified in support of this provision, emphasizing its potential to address the housing shortage by enabling the development of more affordable and accessible housing options.
Read more about this language:
Ohio REALTORS Testifies in Support of the Housing Technical Assistance Grant Program
Protecting Homeowner Equity
Another provision that was passed during the last day of session aims to address a critical loophole in Ohio’s tax foreclosure laws and ensure greater protection for homeowner equity.
This language will require tax-foreclosed properties to be transferred to another political subdivision, such as a land bank, only if the delinquent taxes exceed the property’s fair market value. Otherwise, the property will need to be offered for public sale, allowing homeowners to retain any remaining equity. Ohio REALTORS® supported this important legislation to protect property owners from equity theft.
Read more about this language:
Ohio Legislature | 135 General Assembly | House Bill 153
Combating Housing Discrimination
During the last week of session, Ohio REALTORS® provided testimony in support of legislation to enhance fair housing protections by requiring the Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing to create a standalone anti-housing discrimination document. This document will need to be signed by property sellers prior to a licensee marketing or showing their home, ensuring that they are fully informed of state and federal fair housing laws and the penalties for violations. The language of this legislation was added to an amendment that passed during lame duck, marking a significant step forward in educating home sellers on fair housing practices and reducing discrimination in the homebuying process. Ohio REALTORS® remains committed to supporting initiatives that foster equitable access to housing for all Ohioans.
Read more about this language:
Ohio Legislature | 135 General Assembly | House Bill 438
Occupational License Reform
Ohio REALTORS® Legislative Steering Committee Chair Brian Whitta provided interested party testimony before the Senate Government Oversight Committee on House Bill (HB) 238, advocating for changes that make the licensing process more accessible while maintaining high industry standards. The bill, which includes changes that remove Ohio’s two-year post-secondary education requirement for brokers and broaden access to Ohio’s pre-licensing education, is now on its way to being signed by Governor Mike DeWine. Included in this legislation is a 20-hour reduction in pre-licensing education for real estate salespeople. While Ohio will still have more hours of pre-licensing education for salespeople than any of our surrounding states, reducing the hours of education is something we opposed and hope to work with stakeholders on ways to improve the quality of education despite the reduction in training hours.
Read more about this legislation:
Ohio REALTORS Testifies on Changes to Occupational Licensing Reforms
Ohio Legislature | 135 General Assembly | House Bill 238
Addressing Squatting
During lame duck, House Bill (HB) 480, a bill to combat unauthorized occupation by streamlining the process of removing squatters, was amended and successfully voted out of the House Criminal Justice Committee. The amendment clarified procedural requirements for property owners, strengthened guardrails against wrongful removals, and introduced penalties for false claims and title fraud, ensuring a more balanced and enforceable process. Although the bill did not make it all the way across the finish line, this marks a step forward in combating squatting and sparked meaningful discussion about the need for clear protections for property owners.
Read more about this legislation:
Ohio REALTORS Combat Squatting, Fight to Protect Property Rights
Ohio Legislature | 135 General Assembly | House Bill 480
Regulating Real Estate Wholesaling
Ohio REALTORS® actively engaged with members of the Senate Government Oversight Committee to advocate for Senate Bill (SB) 192, which aims to curb the predatory real estate practice of wholesaling. Assistant VP of Government Affairs Andrew Huffman and REALTOR® member Rich Cosgrove provided in-person testimony, while REALTOR® members Linda LaFleur and Mary Vedda submitted written testimony to the committee. These efforts helped to advance discussions on protecting vulnerable homeowners, particularly senior citizens and financially distressed individuals, from exploitation. While SB 192 was not passed, this is the furthest legislation of this type has advanced in the legislature, and establishes momentum for when the bill will be reintroduced next session.
Read more about this legislation:
Ohio REALTORS Lead the Charge Against Predatory Wholesaling Practices
Ohio Legislature | 135 General Assembly | Senate Bill 192
Short-Term Rentals and Private Property Rights
Senate Bill (SB) 299, legislation to limit the ability of local governments to impose excessive restrictions or bans on short-term rentals, saw strong support from short-term rental property owners and REALTORS® alike. REALTOR® members Mark Remeis and Dawn Arheit testified in person before the Senate Select Committee on Housing, advocating for balanced regulation. The committee accepted a substitute bill that refines the framework for local governments, prohibiting overly restrictive zoning rules and excessive registration requirements while ensuring reasonable oversight of short-term rental operations. Ohio REALTORS® remains committed to defending private property rights and are prepared to reintroduce this legislation early next session.
Read more about this legislation:
Ohio REALTORS Testify in Support of the Short-Term Rentals
Ohio Legislature | 135 General Assembly | Senate Bill 299
Property Tax Reforms
Despite over two-dozen bills being introduced related to reforming Ohio’s property tax system, the legislature failed to take any action before concluding for the year. To help analyze possible solutions, Ohio REALTORS® advocated for the creation of a Joint Property Tax Review and Reform Committee, which held numerous hearings throughout the year where members heard hours of testimony from stakeholders and tax experts. Despite this work, the committee has yet to issue recommendations on potential solutions. Despite the lack of action, both Republicans and Democrats agree on the necessity of reform and legislative leaders have stated that they are committed to implement reforms that make property taxes more manageable for homeowners across Ohio.
Read more about the Joint Committee on Property Tax Review and Reform:
Ohio Legislature | 135 General Assembly | Joint Committee on Property Tax Review and Reform
As the legislature transitions to the 136th General Assembly, the focus remains on addressing the challenges ahead and delivering impactful solutions for REALTORS® and homeowners across the state.
