OH SB261

Creates the Commission on Eastern European Affairs composed of 11 members: three appointed by the governor for one-year terms, four for two-year terms, four for three-year terms, and two nonvoting members each from the House and Senate.

Commission members appointed by the governor must be of Eastern European origin, U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents, and proportionally representative of the state's Eastern European population.

Establishes the Office of Eastern European Affairs to serve the commission, with a director appointed by the commission responsible for implementing the commission's programs and advising on issues affecting Eastern European communities.

Commission duties include gathering information on Eastern European affairs, promoting public awareness, developing community programs, advising state government on policies affecting Eastern European people, and reviewing grants and annual reports.

Appropriates $440,944 from the General Revenue Fund for fiscal years 2020 and 2021 for operating expenses of the commission and office.