To enact section 3345.91 of the Revised Code to require state institutions of higher education that have an animal testing facility to publish an annual report.
Summary
HB803 would require every Ohio state institution of higher education that operates or maintains an animal testing facility to publish an annual report on its public website beginning no later than April 1, 2028, and every April 1 thereafter. The report must describe progress on the “3Rs” of animal research—replacement, reduction, and refinement—by explaining efforts to reduce animal use, expand non-animal or lower-animal research methods, and minimize pain, suffering, distress, or lasting harm to animals. It must also explain the methodology used to measure that progress and why that methodology was chosen.
The bill further requires institutions to disclose the total number of animals used during the prior calendar year, broken down by species, and to estimate the percentage of state funds spent to procure, use, and maintain animals. The reporting requirement excludes animals used solely for agricultural research. If an institution fails to publish the report on time, the Chancellor of Higher Education must impose a civil fine of up to $1,000 per day of violation.
Impact
HB803 would add a new section to the Revised Code, section 3345.91, creating a statewide transparency and reporting mandate for public higher education institutions with animal testing facilities. It would affect state universities and colleges that conduct animal research by requiring annual public disclosures, and it would give the Chancellor of Higher Education enforcement authority through daily fines for noncompliance. The bill would not directly ban animal testing, but it would increase oversight of research practices, animal use levels, and related state spending.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and the limited available legislative context, the measure appears to be framed as a transparency and accountability bill rather than a prohibition on animal research. Because there are no recorded committee transcripts or votes in the provided materials, there is no documented floor or committee debate to indicate broad support or opposition. The introduced status suggests the bill was still in the early stages of consideration when the available record ended.
Contention
The main likely point of contention is the burden of reporting on public universities and the potential administrative cost of tracking species-level animal use, methodology, and state-funding estimates. Another possible issue is the bill’s focus on animal research oversight, which may draw concern from institutions that rely on animal testing for biomedical and scientific work, while animal welfare advocates may view the reporting requirements as a modest but necessary step toward reducing animal use. The exclusion for agricultural research also suggests a possible policy boundary that could be debated by stakeholders concerned about consistency across research areas.
To amend sections 3517.12, 3517.13, and 3517.155 of the Revised Code to modify the Campaign Finance Law regarding foreign nationals and statewide initiatives and referenda and to declare an emergency.
To amend sections 3517.12, 3517.13, and 3517.155 of the Revised Code to modify the Campaign Finance Law regarding foreign nationals and statewide initiatives and referenda and to declare an emergency.
To amend sections 3505.01 and 3505.10 of the Revised Code to modify the deadline for a political party to certify its nominees for President and Vice-President to the Secretary of State.
To delay the deadline for a major political party to certify its presidential and vice presidential candidates to the Secretary of State for the 2024 general election.