S.B. No. 346 Summary

• Establishes a committee to study the progress and challenges of African Americans in Ohio in recognition of the 400th anniversary of African Americans in the United States, with members appointed by the Governor (10), President of Senate (5), Senate Minority Leader (5), House Speaker (5), and House Minority Leader (5).

• Committee must review reports from the Ohio Commission on Racial Fairness, Governor's Task Force Report on Black and Minority Health, and relevant research institution reports, then prepare an initial report by December 31, 2019 covering progress in housing, transportation, health, education, employment, environment, business development, and African American contributions and achievements.

• Committee shall hold public hearings in various parts of Ohio over a four-month period (no earlier than three months after initial report) and submit a final revised report by October 31, 2020, after which the committee is abolished.

• Appropriates up to $140,000 in fiscal year 2019 from the Ohio History Connection budget (Outreach and Partnership line item 360509) to pay committee expenses, with any unexpended balance reappropriated to fiscal year 2020 for the same purpose.

• Committee members shall be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses and may establish subcommittees; members include representatives from Ohio History Connection, National Museum of Afro-American History and Culture, and specified Ohio research institutions.