Ohio House of Representatives

United_States_Ohio_State_House_2023

Ohio_House_of_Representatives_2023–25

The Ohio House of Representatives is the lower house of the Ohio General Assembly, the legislature of the U.S. state of Ohio. The House of Representatives first met in 1803 and has convened continuously since then. The House is composed of 99 members representing an equal number of districts across the state. Each member represents approximately 116,000 Ohioans.

Leadership[edit | edit source]

The Speaker of the House is the presiding officer and is elected by the members of the House. The current Speaker is Jason Stephens, a member of the Republican Party. Other key leadership positions include the Speaker pro tempore, the Majority Leader, and the Minority Leader.

Membership and Elections[edit | edit source]

Members of the Ohio House of Representatives are elected to two-year terms and are limited to four consecutive terms (eight years). Elections are held in even-numbered years. The most recent election was held on November 8, 2022, and the next election is scheduled for November 5, 2024.

Legislative Process[edit | edit source]

The Ohio House of Representatives, along with the Ohio Senate, is responsible for enacting laws in the state of Ohio. Bills can be introduced in either house, but must be passed by both houses and signed by the Governor of Ohio to become law. The House also has the power to initiate impeachment proceedings against state officials.

Committees[edit | edit source]

The Ohio House of Representatives operates through a system of committees, each focusing on specific areas of policy and legislation. Key committees include the Finance Committee, the Education Committee, and the Health Committee.

Meeting Place[edit | edit source]

The Ohio House of Representatives meets at the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus, Ohio. The Statehouse is a historic building that has been the seat of Ohio's government since 1857.