§ 3517.15 — [Former R.C. 3517.153, amended and renumbered as R.C. 3517.15 by H.B. 96, 136th General Assembly, effective 9/30/2025] Jurisdiction and powers of commission

Ohio § 3517.15

• Jurisdiction: Ohio
• Title 35: Elections
• Ch. 3517: Campaigns; Political Parties

Text

(A)(1) No prosecution shall commence for a violation of a provision in sections145.054,742.043,3307.073,3309.073,3517.08to3517.12,3517.13,3517.20to3517.22,3599.03,3599.031, or5505.045of the Revised Code unless a complaint has been filed with the secretary of state under section3517.16of the Revised Code and all proceedings under sections3517.16to3517.18of the Revised Code are completed.

(2) A complaint may be filed with the secretary of state under section3517.16of the Revised Code for a violation of a provision in sections3501.35,3599.13,3599.14, or3599.21, division (A) of section3599.11, or division (A)(1) or (2) of section3599.12of the Revised Code that occurs on or after the effective date of this amendment. A prosecution may commence for a violation of such a provision at any time before or after a complaint has been filed with the secretary of state under section3517.16of the Revised Code.

(B)(1) The Ohio election integrity commission shall hear all matters referred to the commission by the secretary of state under division (E)(3) of section3517.16of the Revised Code.

(2) The commission may recommend legislation and render advisory opinions concerning the provisions of the Revised Code listed in division (A) of this section for persons over whose acts the commission has or may have jurisdiction. When the commission renders an advisory opinion relating to a specific set of circumstances involving any of those sections stating that there is no violation of a provision in those sections, the person to whom the opinion is directed or a person who is similarly situated may reasonably rely on the opinion and is immune from criminal prosecution and a civil action, including, without limitation, a civil action for removal from public office or employment, based on facts and circumstances covered by the opinion. An advisory opinion issued by the Ohio elections commission that is in effect as of the effective date of this amendment is considered an advisory opinion of the Ohio election integrity commission, unless and until the Ohio election integrity commission amends or rescinds the advisory opinion.

(C) The secretary of state and the boards of elections shall furnish the information that the commission requests. The commission or a member of the commission may administer oaths, and the commission may issue subpoenas to any person in the state compelling the attendance of witnesses and the production of relevant papers, books, accounts, and reports. Section101.42of the Revised Code governs the issuance of subpoenas insofar as applicable. Upon the refusal of any person to obey a subpoena or to be sworn or to answer as a witness, the commission may apply to the court of common pleas of Franklin county under section2705.03of the Revised Code. The court shall hold proceedings in accordance with Chapter 2705. of the Revised Code.

(D) The Ohio election integrity commission shall establish a web site on which it shall post, at a minimum, all decisions and advisory opinions issued by the commission, all decisions and advisory opinions issued by the Ohio elections commission before the effective date of this amendment, and copies of each election law as it is amended by the general assembly. The Ohio election integrity commission shall update the web site regularly to reflect any changes to those decisions and advisory opinions and any new decisions and advisory opinions.

Last updated October 3, 2025 at 10:11 AM

Legislative History

Effective: September 30, 2025 | Latest Legislation: House Bill 96 - 136th General Assembly