HB 415 Summary

• Creates the Ohio Sports Commission within the Department of Development consisting of a 15-member executive council and 9-11 member advisory council to promote and attract major sporting events to Ohio.

• Executive council includes the governor, director of development, TourismOhio director, legislative representatives, and members representing student athletes, professional athletes, convention bureaus, local sports commissions, and private sports industry stakeholders.

• Establishes an Ohio Sports Commission Fund to pay for commission operations and issue grants to public and private entities that support sports tourism and economic development.

• Amends existing sports event grant program to require the director of development to consult with the executive council when evaluating grant applications from local organizing committees seeking funds for hosting major sporting events.

• Grants are based on projected incremental sales tax increases within a market area, with a minimum threshold of $250,000 in projected tax receipts and maximum grant of $2 million or actual qualifying costs, whichever is less.