Ohio Senate Bill 26 proposes the creation of a “Joint Law Enforcement Oversight Committee” (JLEOC) to evaluate training standards and programs for all peace officers in the state. The bill outlines the committee’s composition, appointment process, leadership structure, operational procedures, and responsibilities. It also includes an appropriation of $600,000 for fiscal year 2026 to fund the committee’s operating expenses, specifically for employing a task force of technical professionals. The primary objective of the JLEOC is to review current peace officer training and recommend improvements to relevant statutes and rules.
Main Themes and Important Ideas/Facts:
1. Establishment of the Joint Law Enforcement Oversight Committee (JLEOC):
- The bill explicitly states, “The joint law enforcement oversight committee (JLEOC) is created.” (Section 103.52(B)).
- The JLEOC’s fundamental purpose is to “evaluate training standards and programs required to be completed by any peace officer in the state.” (Section 103.52(B)).
- The definition of “peace officer” is tied to section 109.71 of the Revised Code, ensuring a consistent understanding of who falls under the committee’s purview.
2. Committee Composition and Appointment:
- JLEOC will be a bipartisan committee comprised of six members of the Ohio General Assembly:
- Three members of the Senate (two from the majority party, one from the minority party), appointed by the President of the Senate.
- Three members of the House of Representatives (two from the majority party, one from the minority party), appointed by the Speaker of the House.
- The appointment process emphasizes bipartisan representation.
- Initial appointments are to be made within 60 days of the bill’s effective date, with subsequent appointments within 15 days of the commencement of the first regular session of each general assembly.
- Members serve terms aligned with their service in their respective legislative chambers and can be reappointed.
- Vacancies are filled in the same manner as the original appointment.
3. Leadership Structure:
- The bill establishes a rotating leadership structure based on odd and even-numbered years:
- Odd-numbered years: House majority member as Chairperson, Senate majority member as Vice-Chairperson, Senate minority member as Ranking Minority Member.
- Even-numbered years: Senate majority member as Chairperson, House majority member as Vice-Chairperson, House minority member as Ranking Minority Member.
- The President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House consult with their respective minority leaders when appointing minority members and designating ranking minority members (“In appointing members from the minority, and in designating ranking minority members, the president and speaker shall consult with the minority leader of their respective houses.” – Section 103.52(F)).
4. Operational Procedures and Authority:
- JLEOC will meet at the call of the Chairperson, with a minimum requirement of once per calendar month unless agreed otherwise with the Ranking Minority Member (“The chairperson shall call JLEOC to meet not less often than once each calendar month, unless the chairperson and ranking minority member agree that the chairperson should not call JLEOC to meet for a particular month.” – Section 103.52(G)).
- Members will receive a per diem of $150 plus necessary traveling expenses for committee duties on days when their house is not in session.
- JLEOC has the authority to employ professional, technical, and clerical staff, subject to the approval of the Speaker and President (or their designees). These employees are in the unclassified service.
- The committee can contract for expert advisory services.
- With authorization from JLEOC and legislative leadership, the Chairperson can issue subpoenas and subpoenas duces tecum to compel testimony and the production of documents (“The JLEOC chairperson, when authorized by JLEOC and the president and speaker, may issue subpoenas and subpoenas duces tecum in aid of JLEOC’s performance of its duties.” – Section 103.52(J)). These subpoenas will follow the procedures outlined in sections 101.41 to 101.45 of the Revised Code.
- The Chairperson has the authority to administer oaths to witnesses.
5. Duties and Responsibilities:
- Mandatory Duties:“Review and evaluate training standards and programs required to be completed by any peace officer in the state.” (Section 103.53(A)(1)).
- “Recommend, to the extent JLEOC determines appropriate, improvements in statutes and rules concerning peace officer training standards and programs.” (Section 103.53(A)(2)).
- Permissive Powers:Require the chairperson of the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission to appear before JLEOC to provide information.
- Review relevant bills and resolutions introduced in the General Assembly and submit reports on their desirability as public policy (“Review bills and resolutions regarding the peace officer training standards and programs that are introduced in the general assembly. JLEOC may submit a report of its review of a bill or resolution to the general assembly in accordance with section 101.68 of the Revised Code. The report may include JLEOC’s determination regarding the bill’s or resolution’s desirability as a matter of public policy…” – Section 103.53(B)(2)). This review power does not impede the General Assembly’s legislative authority.
- Solicit written comments and conduct public hearings on drafts of its reports.
6. Appropriation:
- The bill appropriates a total of $600,000 from the General Revenue Fund (GRF) under the line item “Operating Expenses” (GRF 030400).
- This entire appropriation is allocated for fiscal year 2026, with $0 appropriated for fiscal year 2027.
- The allocated funds are specifically intended “for the purpose of employing a task force of technical professionals to assist the Joint Law Enforcement Oversight Committee… in the performance of its duty of evaluating training standards and programs required to be completed by any peace officer in the state.” (Section 3).
- The Director of Budget and Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining the necessary appropriation accounts.
- Expenditures will be subject to the provisions of the main operating appropriations act of the 136th General Assembly.
Potential Implications:
- The creation of JLEOC signifies a legislative focus on the oversight and potential reform of peace officer training in Ohio.
- The bipartisan composition of the committee suggests an intent for a collaborative approach to this issue.
- The dedicated funding for a technical task force indicates a commitment to thorough and informed evaluation of existing training standards.
- JLEOC’s ability to subpoena witnesses and documents grants it significant investigative power.
- The committee’s recommendations could lead to future legislative or regulatory changes impacting peace officer training requirements across the state.
This briefing document provides a preliminary overview of Ohio Senate Bill 26. Further analysis may be required as the legislative process unfolds.