As Reported by the House Arts, Athletics, and Tourism Committee

136th General Assembly

Regular Session Sub. H. B. No. 255

2025-2026

Representatives Jarrells, Miller, M.

Cosponsors: Representatives Brennan, Russo, Santucci, Robb Blasdel, McNally

To enact sections 122.123 and 122.124 of the Revised Code to create the Ohio Sports Council.

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

Section 1. That sections 122.123 and 122.124 of the Revised Code be enacted to read as follows:

Sec. 122.123. (A) As used in this section and section 122.124 of the Revised Code, "sport" has the same meaning as in section 122.12 of the Revised Code.

(B) The Ohio sports council is created within the department of development. The purpose of the council is to assess the economic impacts of sporting events in this state and make recommendations to the general assembly regarding policies that can expand the sporting event economy in this state.

(C) The council shall consist of the following fourteen members:

(1) Two members of the senate appointed by the president of the senate, one of whom shall be recommended by the minority leader of the senate;

(2) Two members of the house of representatives appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, one of whom shall be recommended by the minority leader of the house of representatives;

(3) One member that represents convention and visitors' bureaus in this state, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives;

(4) One member that represents convention and visitors' bureaus in this state, appointed by the president of the senate;

(5) One member that represents local sports commissions throughout the state, appointed by the governor;

(6) One member that represents local sports commissions throughout the state, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives;

(7) One member that represents local sports commission throughout the state, appointed by the president of the senate;

(8) Three members that represent sports facilities that host events in this state, including at least one member that represents a national collegiate athletic association or professional sports venue, appointed by the governor;

(9) One member that represents professional or amateur sports governance organizations, such as the national collegiate athletic association or a professional sports team, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives;

(10) One member that represents professional or amateur sports governance organizations, such as the national collegiate athletic association or a professional sports team, appointed by the president of the senate.

(D) The members of the council 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. Members of the council who are also members of the general assembly shall only be members of the council as long as they hold the office of member of the general assembly. A vacancy on the council shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.

(E) Members of the council shall serve without compensation, but shall be reimbursed for the actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of official duties.

(F) Subject to the availability of funding, the council may appoint such employees as it considers necessary to carry out its duties under this section and section 122.124 of the Revised Code. The department of development shall provide office space and meeting areas for the council.

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

Sec. 122.124. The Ohio sports council created under section 122.123 of the Revised Code shall partner and coordinate with the department of taxation, local sports commissions, convention and visitors' bureaus, chambers of commerce, municipal corporations, venues, and appropriate stakeholders to assess the following:

(A) State tax revenue received through direct participation in sporting events;

(B) State tax revenue received through indirect economic activities in relation to sporting events;

(C) Local tax revenue received through direct participation in sporting events;

(D) Local tax revenue received through indirect economic activities in relation to sporting events;

(E) Incremental increases of state and local tax revenue derived from sporting events that choose to locate in this state rather than out of state;

(F) Marketing benefits to this state and the local community hosting sporting events, as determined by the council;

(G) Other economic impact indicators as determined by the council.