OH SB27

Requires oceangoing vessels operating on Ohio's Lake Erie state waters to obtain permits from the Director of Environmental Protection and demonstrate compliance with ballast water discharge standards or use environmentally sound technology to prevent aquatic nuisance species discharge.

Director must establish a permit program within 12 months and adopt rules within 12 months that identify aquatic nuisance species, set permit fees, establish ballast water performance standards, require vessel inspections, and set civil penalties of at least $25,000 per violation.

Permits are valid for one year and may be renewed; applicants must submit a form, pay a fee, and provide a signed affidavit verifying vessel compliance with performance standards established in rules.

Authorizes civil actions by any person on behalf of the state for violations, with the state having primary prosecution authority; successful private plaintiffs receive 15-25% of proceeds if state proceeds, or 25-30% if state declines to proceed, plus reasonable expenses and attorney's fees.

Creates an aquatic nuisance species prevention fund in the state treasury to be funded by permit fees, civil penalties, and settlement proceeds, to be used for prevention, control, reclamation, and administration of the program.