Sub. H.B. 340 - Drainage Laws Revision Summary

• Comprehensive drainage law overhaul: Amends and reorganizes Ohio's drainage statutes across multiple chapters (940, 6131, 6133, 6137) to modernize procedures for drainage improvements and maintenance.

• Petition and hearing process improvements: Streamlines procedures for filing drainage improvement petitions, including consultation requirements, preliminary determinations, views, and hearings with specific timeframe requirements (30-120 days).

• Assessment and appraisal reforms: Updates uniform and varied assessment methodologies, requires consideration of multiple benefit factors, and establishes procedures for estimated assessments and final assessments with owner notification and appeal rights.

• Multi-county drainage improvements: Creates provisions for joint boards of supervisors and joint boards of county commissioners to handle drainage improvements spanning multiple counties, with lead county administrative oversight.

• Maintenance procedures and funding: Establishes maintenance assessment procedures, creates drainage maintenance funds and districts, allows for permanent assessment bases, and provides for periodic reviews and adjustments of maintenance assessments at six-year intervals.