House Bill 96, otherwise known as the FY 2026-2027 state operating budget, is undergoing hearings in the Ohio House. The bill currently sits in the House Finance committee, which will hear public testimony on March 11, 12, and 13. Then it will move through the rest of the House process concluding in the first half of April. After the House votes on their agreed version of the budget, it will go to the Senate. The chair of the Senate Finance Committee, Senator Jerry Cirino (R-Kirtland) released the operating timeline for the Senate.
Budget activity, week of March 31 and April 7
The Senate Finance Committee will begin to hold testimony from agencies invited to present to the committee. These hearings will technically be informal since the budget will not be done in the House at this point. During this time, the Office of Budget and Management Director Kim Murnieks and Legislative Service Commission Director Wendy Zahn will also present testimony.
Spring Break, week beginning April 14 and April 21
No hearings will be scheduled.
Budget activity, week beginning April 28, May 5, and May 12
As the budget process continues in the Senate, six Senate standing committees will have budget hearings for three weeks and hear budget issues relevant to the respective committees. Below are the committees who will hold hearings, and their respective leadership:
- Higher Education: Chair Senator Roegner & Ranking Member Senator Ingram
- Medicaid: Chair Senator Romanchuk & Ranking Member Senator Liston
- Health: Chair Senator Steve Huffman & Ranking Member Senator Liston
- Education: Chair Senator Brenner & Ranking Member Senator Ingram
- Government Oversight & Reform: Chair Senator Manchester & Ranking Member Senator Weinstein
- Agriculture and Natural Resources: Chair Senator Schaffer & Ranking Member Senator Hicks-Hudson
Within this period, there will also be public testimony opportunities. Over 90 agencies are scheduled to testify.
More opportunity for public testimony, week beginning May 26
Individuals who are interested in presenting testimony will have a chance to present this week.
Community Solutions will continue coverage of the budget as the Senate holds their floor vote
The tentative date for the Senate to vote on the budget is Thursday, June 12. Community Solutions will continue its coverage of the budget during this time and will communicate about ways to engage in the budget process.
