Legislature wraps up capital/corrections bill: Parks study, arson investigator language among highlights

June 12, 2008 – As their last piece of business before retiring the spring session, Ohio legislators wrapped up work on the $1.3 billion capital/corrections bill.

After eleventh-hour discussions were several OCSEA-supported components including a state parks study committee, peace officer status for state Arson Investigators, who are OCSEA members, and Gallipolis Developmental Center pilot language.

The following OCSEA-supported language remained intact as the final version of the bill now makes its way to the governor’s office for final approval.

•  ARSON INVESTIGATORS – OCSEA has been working with the governor’s office and legislative leaders to secure peace officer status for Arson Investigators. The language had been stripped from the Senate version of the bill but was ultimately preserved in the bill’s final version. Arson Investigators are fully certified. Under the current Ohio Revised Code, in order to retain their certification, unlike other peace officers, they must give volunteer hours to a local law enforcement entity. The language, considered a major succcess by OCSEA activists, gives “full” peace officer status to these members.

•  PARKS STUDY – Also being watched by OCSEA was the creation of a State Park and Recreational Area Study Committee. This language also had been omitted from the Senate version but was eventually maintained. The Committee will study and assess the current and future operating budgets of the state parks and of recreational areas under the control of ODNR to determine the extent of the parks needs. OCSEA sees this as a boon and hopes to play a role in this important committee.

•  MR GALLIPOLIS PILOT – OCSEA was able to make a technical change in language that will allow the Gallipolis Developmental Center pilot to be fully funded. The changed language allows for full reimbursement of direct care staff wages as well as for professional services, support staff and overhead. The Senate and House concurred on the technical change. The administration has committed to opening a total of 4 such facilities – two in Gallipolis and two in Mount Vernon – for a total of 32 beds, expanding the original GDC pilot from 10 beds to 32.

•  MH CLOSURES – Both the House and Senate passed versions enacting a six-month moratorium on the closure of any state mental health facility, including Cambridge and Dayton. The language remains in the final version, however the governor has indicated he would likely veto the provision.

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Budget Archive 2008