OH HB285

Grants the Ohio House Speaker, Senate President, and both acting jointly the right to intervene in any court action challenging a statute's constitutionality, validity, or preemption by federal law.

Permits the House Speaker, Senate President, and joint leadership to hire legal counsel outside the Attorney General's office with costs paid from appropriated funds to represent their respective chambers.

Prohibits individual legislators or groups of legislators from intervening in such actions or obtaining public legal counsel, except for the presiding officers.

Requires the Attorney General to obtain approval from an intervenor under this section or submit proposed settlements to the legislature before compromising or settling actions for injunctive relief or consent decrees that challenge statute validity.

Mandates Attorney General submission of settlement plans conceding statute unconstitutionality to the House and Senate government oversight committees for joint approval before proceeding with settlement.