H.B. 594 Summary

• Amends Ohio's campaign finance law and restructures the Ohio Elections Commission, requiring membership to include attorneys in good standing and reducing initial term lengths to four years after the effective date.

• Allows multi-beneficiary campaign committees for multiple candidates seeking the same board/commission positions, with joint designation of treasurer and joint filing of required statements.

• Creates new committee termination procedures under section 3517.158, permitting committees with remaining balances to request Ohio Elections Commission declaration of termination after demonstrating best efforts to reconcile accounts.

• Establishes expedited hearing procedures for campaign finance violations involving specific reporting failures and late filings, with attorney recommendations based on violation severity and prior compliance history.

• Repeals section 3517.109 of the Revised Code and makes conforming changes to campaign finance reporting requirements and penalties under sections 3517.10, 3517.102, 3517.1011, 3517.152, 3517.153, 3517.154, and 3517.992.