Andreah Riedel

On June 7, 2022, House Bill 698 was introduced in the Ohio House of Representatives. The Bill would amend Ohio’s eminent domain law, Ohio Revised Code Chapter 163, in numerous ways that are favorable to property owners and unfavorable for appropriating authorities.

Some Roetzel clients are surprised to receive an additional bill following a motor vehicle accident involving their driver: a bill for emergency services provided by the local fire and police departments. An accident response fee, or a so-called “crash tax,” is a fee charged by some municipalities for the use of their resources on the scene of a motor vehicle accident.

A new Ohio law substantially changes the landscape for real property tax valuation challenges in the state. In general, it substantially curtails school districts’ rights to initiate and appeal property tax valuation challenges. Governor DeWine signed the bill on April 21, 2022. It will become effective on July 19, 2022, and will affect valuation complaints that relate to tax year 2022 valuations. The following bullet points summarize the law’s significant changes.