As Introduced

136th General Assembly

Regular Session H. B. No. 255

2025-2026

A BILL

To enact sections 122.97, 122.971, and 122.972 of the Revised Code to create the Ohio Sports Commission.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF OHIO:

Section 1. That sections 122.97, 122.971, and 122.972 of the Revised Code be enacted to read as follows:

Sec. 122.97. The Ohio sports commission is created within the department of development.

The purpose of the commission is to enhance the quality of life in this state through the attraction, promotion, and development of national and international sports. The commission shall partner and coordinate with convention and visitor bureaus, chambers of commerce, municipal corporations, sports organizations, venues, and appropriate stakeholders to attract and host sporting events that enhance the state's economy and image.

Sec. 122.971. (A) The board of commissioners of the Ohio sports commission is created. The board shall do all of the following:

(1) Study the promotion and development of sports tourism in this state, with a view to fulfilling the purpose of the Ohio sports commission under section 122.29 of the Revised Code;

(2) Partner and communicate with private and public stakeholders to attract sports events to this state;

(3) Develop policy recommendations for the general assembly, the governor, and local governments;

(4) Study the establishment of a new grant program to support emerging sports economies throughout the state, including a funding source for the program;

(5) Not later than six months after the effective date of this section, issue a report of its findings and recommendations to the governor, the president of the senate, and the speaker of the house of representatives.

(B) The board of commissioners of the Ohio sports commission shall consist of the following seventeen members, and the membership shall reflect the diversity of the state:

(1) The governor or the governor's designee;

(2) The director of development or the director's designee;

(3) One member of the majority party of the senate appointed by the president of the senate;

(4) One member of the minority party of the senate appointed by the senate minority leader;

(5) One member of the majority party of the house of representatives appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives;

(6) One member of the minority party of the house of representatives appointed by the minority leader of the house of representatives;

(7) One member of an organization in this state that represents student athletes, appointed by the governor;

(8) One member of an organization in this state that represents professional athletes, appointed by the governor;

(9) One member that represents convention and visitors' bureaus in this state, appointed by the governor;

(10) Four members that represent local sports commissions throughout the state, recommended by sports commissions throughout the state, and appointed by the governor;

(11) Two members that represent private stakeholders in the sports industry or tourism industries in this state, appointed by the governor;

(12) Two members that represent athletes in this state, appointed by the governor.

(C) Of the members appointed by the governor, six shall be appointed to initial terms of two years, and five shall be appointed to initial terms of four years. Thereafter, all members appointed by the governor shall be appointed to terms of four years. All members of the board appointed by the speaker and minority leader of the house of representatives or the president and minority leader of the senate shall be appointed within thirty days after the commencement of the first regular session of each general assembly, and shall serve until the expiration of the session of the general assembly during which they were appointed, provided they continue to hold the office of member of the general assembly. A vacancy on the board shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.

Members of the board shall serve without compensation, but shall be reimbursed for the actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of official duties, payable from the fund created in section 122.292 of the Revised Code.

(D) The board may appoint such employees as it considers necessary to carry out its duties under this section. The department of development shall provide office space and meeting areas for the board.

(E) The board shall elect a chairperson at its first meeting, and biannually thereafter. The board shall meet at the call of its chairperson to conduct its official business. A majority of the members of the board constitutes a quorum. The vote of at least nine members of the board is necessary for the board to take any official action.

Sec. 122.972. The Ohio sports commission fund is created in the state treasury consisting of money credited or transferred to it and grants, gifts, and contributions made directly to it. Money in the fund shall be used to defray costs incurred by the Ohio sports commission in fulfilling its duties under sections 122.29 and 122.291 of the Revised Code.