May 20, 2026 · Natural Resources Committee · 1,811 words · 12 speakers · 42 segments
Good morning, members of the Ohio House Natural Resources Committee. The committee will come to order. Please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance.
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
Will the clerk please call the roll?
Chairwoman Rob Blaisdell. Here.
Vice Chair Fisher. Here.
Ranking Member Rogers. Here.
Representative Heiner. Here.
Representative Holmes. Here.
Representative Johnson excused.
Representative Matthews. Here.
Representative McNally. Here.
Representative Moore checked in.
Representative Rader. Here.
Representative Salvo. Here.
Representative Sineberg. Here. Representative Workman. Here.
With a quorum present, we will proceed as a full committee. I would like to welcome any judges that are in the committee room this morning. Welcome. I know it's Judicial Legislative Day. Judge Eric Marks and others who are in the committee today, thank you for being here, and we appreciate all you do as well. Thank you for your service. Our first order of business is to approve the minutes from the previous meeting. Please take a moment to review the minutes located on your iPads. Are there any objections or corrections to the minutes? Seeing none, the minutes are approved. Our next order of business is to call up substitute Senate Bill 219 for its third hearing. Today we will be considering a substitute bill. At this time I would like to recognize Vice Chair Fisher for a motion.
Thank you. I move to adopt Substitute Bill 136-3171-2 as the working document for Substitute Senate Bill 219.
Thank you. The Substitute Bill is in order, and members may locate the document on your iPads. Vice Chair Fisher, will you please explain the Substitute Bill for us?
Yes. The Substitute Bill is intended to improve clarity, strengthen regulatory consistency, and address operational and procedural concerns that have been raised throughout the committee process from interested parties and the bill's sponsor. The substitute bill includes the following changes. Creates exceptions to the expedited drilling permit review for certain wells and provides ODNR additional flexibility in managing permit timelines. Addresses coordination between oil and gas operators and local governments regarding heavy haul traffic and road use maintenance agreements to provide greater clarity and consistency while helping to protect local infrastructure. Updates shut-in royalty provisions for state leases by requiring annual payments of $50 per net mineral acre and removes provisions allowing those payments to be credited against future royalties. Revises the criteria for prioritizing orphaned well plugging by making proximity to injection wells one factor in ODNR's scoring matrix rather than the sole determining factor. Updates procedures governing appeals before the Oil and Gas Commission and clarifies participation rights and permit-related repeals. protects the oil and gas well fund from being transferred for unrelated purposes and ensures the fund continues to be used only for activities authorized in law removes provisions related to federal mineral royalty payments makes technical and administrative adjustments to the Brian and Waste Substances Permitting Fund finally the substitute bill removes the unitization provisions from the bill and extends the statute of limitations for oil and gas lease termination actions from 6 years to 10 years
thank you vice chair is there any further discussion Are there any objections Seeing none the substitute bill is adopted as the working document This concludes the third hearing on Substitute Senate Bill 219. Our next order of business is to call up amended Senate Bill 223 for its third hearing. Is there anyone present who would like to provide proponent, opponent, or interested party testimony for amended Senate Bill 223? Okay, seeing none, at this time I would like to recognize Vice Chair Fisher for a motion.
Chair, I move to favorably report amended Senate Bill 223 and recommend its passage.
Will the clerk please call the roll?
Chairwoman Rob Laisel. Yes.
Vice Chair Fisher. Yes.
Ranking Member Rogers? Yes.
Representative Heiner? Yes.
Representative Holmes? Yes.
Representative Matthews? Yes.
Representative McNally? Yes.
Representative Moore? Yes.
Representative Rader? Yes.
Representative Salvo? Yes. Representative Sittenberg? Yes.
Representative Workman? Yes.
With 12 affirmative votes and zero negative votes, amended Senate Bill 223 is favorably reported. This concludes the third hearing on amended Senate Bill 223. Our next order of business is to call up House Concurrent Resolution 40. For its first hearing, I will now pass the gavel over to Vice Chair Fisher.
Thank you. I would like to invite Representative Rob Blaisdell and Representative Ritter to provide sponsor testimony.
Good morning, Vice Chair Fisher, Ranking Member Rogers, and esteemed colleagues of the House Natural Resources Committee. Thank you for the opportunity to provide sponsor testimony today on House Concurrent Resolution 40. The Ohio River is more than just a waterway. It is one of Ohio's most vital natural and economic resources. Stretching 981 miles and forming the entire 451-mile southern border of our state, the river and its watershed impact millions of Americans, including communities across nearly three-quarters of Ohio's landmass. For generations, the Ohio River has supported commerce, manufacturing, agricultural, recreation, and tourism throughout our great state. Maritime commerce on the river generates billions of dollars annually in economic activity, supporting jobs, and strengthening local communities. Beyond its economic value, the Ohio River Basin's natural ecosystems provide enormous public benefits through clean water, flood mitigation, wildlife habitat, and outdoor recreation opportunities. However, despite its importance, the Ohio River faces growing environmental and public health challenges. In 2023, American Rivers designated the Ohio River as America's second most endangered river. Water quality degradation, harmful algae blooms, toxic contamination, aging infrastructure, and flooding events continue to threaten drinking water supplies public health and economic stability throughout the region House Concurrent Resolution 40 urges Congress to enact the Ohio River Restoration Program Act which would establish a comprehensive federal restoration initiative for the Ohio River Basin This legislation would support critical investment in water quality improvements, watershed restoration, flood resiliency, habitat restoration, invasive species prevention, toxic substance remediation, public access and recreation, and education and outreach throughout the basin. The benefits to Ohio would be substantial. Cleaner drinking water, stronger infrastructure, enhanced recreational opportunities, healthier ecosystems, and long-term public health protections are investments that will positively impact Ohio families and future generations. This resolution will send a clear message that Ohio recognizes the importance of preserving and restoring the Ohio River and that we support bipartisan efforts at the federal level to ensure this critical resource remains healthy and productive for decades to come. Thank you again, Vice Chair Fisher, Ranking Member Rogers, and members of the committee for your time and consideration of House Concurrent Resolution 40. I will now hand it over to my joint sponsor, Representative Ritter.
Good morning, Vice Chair Fisher, Ranking Member Rogers, and members of the committee. Thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony in support of House Concurrent Resolution 40. At its core, I believe this is an economic resolution. The Ohio River Basin is one of the most strategically important economic regions in the United States. The river system supports manufacturing, agriculture, shipping, energy production, tourism, and municipal infrastructure across Ohio and much of the Midwest. Communities throughout our state depend upon the long-term health and reliability of this watershed for both economic stability and future growth. The Ohio River serves as a critical freight corridor that allows Ohio businesses to transport raw materials and finish goods efficiently and affordably. River transportation dramatically reduces shipping costs for heavy industry, for agriculture, steel, chemicals, construction materials, and energy production. Maintaining and restoring the basin helps protect one of the most cost-effective transportation systems available to American industry. House Concurrent Resolution 40 recognizes that environmental degradation ultimately becomes an economic liability. Flooding, erosion, contaminated waterways, failing water systems, and ecosystem decline create direct financial burdens for local governments, taxpayers, and businesses. The costs appear in damaged infrastructure, emergency response spending, higher insurance costs, lost business activity, declining property values, and increased public health expenditures. The question is not whether we will pay these costs. The question is whether we will address them proactively through strategic investment or reactively through crisis response. The Ohio River Restoration Program Act represents a long-term infrastructure and economic competitiveness strategy. Investments in watershed restoration flood mitigation water infrastructure modernization and contamination cleanup would generate construction jobs energy work environmental remediation employment and long private sector growth throughout the region These investments would particularly benefit Appalachian and southeastern Ohio communities that have often struggled to attract sustained economic development. Riverfront development, tourism, expansion, outdoor recreation, marina investment, and improved infrastructure can revitalize these communities that have historically depended upon the river for commerce and for industry. There is also a strong workforce argument for this effort. Businesses increasingly evaluate quality of life metrics, environmental conditions, and infrastructure reliability when making investment decisions. Communities with clean water, resilient infrastructure, and attractive public spaces are more competitive in retaining skilled workers and attracting new employees. Additionally, the resolution aligns with principles of fiscal stewardship. Preventative investment in infrastructure and restoration is significantly less expensive than repeated disaster recovery spending and deferred maintenance. Restoring wetlands, improving drainage systems, stabilizing riverbanks, and modernizing water infrastructure can reduce future liabilities in both state and local governments. The Ohio River Basin is not merely an environmental asset. It's a productive economic engine that supports jobs, commerce, transportation, and regional competitiveness, Protecting and strengthening that asset is a matter of sound economic policy. For those reasons, I respectfully urge favorable passage of House Concurrent Resolution 40, and thank you for your consideration.
Thank you. Are there any questions for the sponsors?
Rhett McNally. Thank you, through the Chair. Just wondering if the other 15 states have passed similar resolutions?
Through the chair to the representative, I know that several have. I don't have that exact number. We can find that exact number for you, though, Rep.
Thank you.
Any further questions? All right. Seeing none, thank you for your testimony today. And this will conclude the first hearing on House Concurrent Resolution 40. Our next order of business is to call up House Bill 603 for its third hearing. Today we will be hearing opponent and interested party testimony. Is there anyone present who would like to provide opponent or interested party testimony on House Bill 603? All right, seeing none, this concludes the third hearing on House Bill 603. Our next order of business is to call up House Bill 290 for its second hearing. Today we will be hearing opponent testimony. Is there anyone present who would like to provide opponent testimony on House Bill 290? Seeing none, this concludes the second hearing on House Bill 290. Is there any further business to be brought before the committee today? Seeing none, the House Natural Resources Committee stands adjourned. Thank you. Have a wonderful day.