As Introduced

136th General Assembly

Regular Session S. R. No. 239

2025-2026

Senators McColley, Antonio

Cosponsors: Senators Blackshear, Blessing, Brenner, Chavez, Cirino, Craig, Cutrona, DeMora, Gavarone, Hicks-Hudson, Huffman, Ingram, Johnson, Koehler, Landis, Lang, Liston, Manchester, Manning, O'Brien, Patton, Reineke, Reynolds, Roegner, Romanchuk, Schaffer, Smith, Timken, Weinstein, Wilkin, Wilson

A R E S O L U T I O N

Honoring Jim Kelly for his stalwart service to the Legislative Service Commission.

WHEREAS, The members of the Senate of the 136th General Assembly of Ohio are pleased to pay tribute to Jim Kelly on his retirement from the Ohio Legislative Service Commission; and

WHEREAS, The Legislative Service Commission was established to provide nonpartisan drafting, research, and fiscal analysis to all members of the Ohio General Assembly, and Jim Kelly has certainly embodied the agency’s compelling directive since joining in 1988. Commencing his career as a drafter, he served in a variety of areas, including banking and insurance, health and human services, finally finding a drafting home in education. Demonstrating high degrees of expertise and competence, he served in leadership roles during much of his tenure with the Legislative Service Commission. He served as division chief of the education group, led the administrative rule division, and ultimately was appointed director of research and drafting services. Throughout his thirty-seven-year tenure, he has freely shared his wealth of knowledge and experience with others, and he has been esteemed for his patience, adaptability, ingenuity, and insight. Undoubtedly, he has been a distinguished mentor and friend, and the State of Ohio has benefited from his dedication; and

WHEREAS, Jim Kelly has gained tremendous respect for his dependability and guidance, and his professional legacy is reflected in his collaboration with Ohio legislators and their offices as well as with his colleagues at the Legislative Service Commission. Indeed, he has helped to guarantee a high level of success for all projects with which he has been associated, including several innovative improvements most notably to bill support documents, legislative software, and administrative rule procedures. His loyalty to Ohio, along with his integrity and work ethic, are the measure of how a more promising future can be achieved for the people of our state; and

WHEREAS, We are proud to note that it is through the unsurpassed efforts and deep commitment of conscientious people such as Jim Kelly that the State of Ohio continues to prosper. Over the years, he has striven to serve his fellow citizens to the best of his ability, and we applaud him on his fine work; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That we, the members of the Senate of the 136th General Assembly of Ohio, in adopting this Resolution, salute Jim Kelly for his meaningful and lasting contributions to the Ohio Legislative Service Commission and extend best wishes for a happy, healthy retirement; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Clerk of the Senate transmit a duly authenticated copy of this Resolution to Jim Kelly.