The Overview

If your school district has a century-old building or your community is waiting on a state construction project, Ohio just committed nearly $3.7 billion to help. Gov. Mike DeWine (R) signed Ohio SB 450, the capital appropriations bill for the biennium ending June 30, 2028, on June 15. ​

The American Society of Civil Engineers' Ohio Council of Sections gave Ohio's infrastructure an overall grade of C in its 2025 report card, flagging aging school facilities, insufficient school funding, and gaps in emergency preparedness. The law took effect June 15 as an emergency act, with certain sections effective July 1.

What the Law Does

The law directs roughly $3.69 billion in capital appropriations to state agencies, public colleges and universities, the Public Works Commission, and other state entities through June 30, 2028. About 93 percent of that total, roughly $3.43 billion, is debt-supported; the remaining $260 million comes from cash.

The law creates an Aging School Accelerator Pilot Program for districts that meet criteria including a school building at least 100 years old and low per-pupil operating spending, and participating districts must set aside one-half mill per dollar of valuation for maintenance. It also requires Central State University's board of trustees to transfer oversight of its facilities management to the Ohio Department of Administrative Services or another governmental third party before up to $25 million in renovation funds can be released, with the transfer certified to the Chancellor of Higher Education.

Legislative Status

Sen. Jerry Cirino (R-OH-18) sponsored the bill. The Senate passed it 31-0 on June 3. The House passed it 95-3 on June 11, with 98 members voting. From introduction to the governor's signature took 14 days.

DeWine said in a statement quoted by Ohio News: "Today, I signed Ohio's two-year capital budget, which will invest $3.7 billion to strengthen our communities, support our workforce, and grow the economy." Senate Democratic Leader Sen. Nickie J. Antonio applauded the signing, according to her Ohio Senate statement.

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