OH HB421

Electors may initiate reduction of property tax levies within the ten-mill limitation by filing a petition signed by at least 15% of voters who cast ballots for governor in the most recent general election

Petitions must include the proposed reduction amount, a written argument in favor (up to 300 words), and designate a committee of 3-5 electors to represent petitioners; the taxing authority may not change the levy rate while a petition is pending

If voters approve the reduction by majority vote, the reduced rate takes effect January 1 following the election; county budget commissions are prohibited from reallocating the reduced mills to other taxing units

Taxing authorities may propose to restore a voter-reduced levy rate only by resolution with two-thirds member approval, followed by voter approval at a general election held at least 90 days later

Levies used for debt service payments are exempt from reduction—taxing authorities must continue collecting sufficient amounts to pay principal and interest on existing debt obligations