§ 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.
Effective: September 30, 2025
Legislation: House Bill 96


(A)(1) No prosecution shall commence for a violation of a provision in sections 145.054, 742.043,
3307.073, 3309.073, 3517.08 to 3517.12, 3517.13, 3517.20 to 3517.22, 3599.03, 3599.031, or
5505.045 of the Revised Code unless a complaint has been filed with the secretary of state under
section 3517.16 of the Revised Code and all proceedings under sections 3517.16 to 3517.18 of the
Revised Code are completed.


(2) A complaint may be filed with the secretary of state under section 3517.16 of the Revised Code
for a violation of a provision in sections 3501.35, 3599.13, 3599.14, or 3599.21, division (A) of
section 3599.11, or division (A)(1) or (2) of section 3599.12 of 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
section 3517.16 of 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 section 3517.16 of 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



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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. Section 101.42 of 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 section 2705.03 of 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.




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