Staff report

State Rep. Nick Santucci, R-Niles, sponsored bills to create the Ohio International Trade Commission and the Ohio Defense Commission.

Santucci, who is the lead sponsor of both bills with state Rep. Ty Mathews, R-Findlay, said he’s “proud” to introduce “vital defense legislation aimed at making Ohio the top state in military readiness. This effort strengthens our role in national security and ensures Ohio continues to lead the way in supporting our armed forces.”

The international trade commission bill would establish a committee of three members of the Ohio Senate, appointed by the Senate president, and three members of Ohio House, appointed by the speaker, with eight others appointed by and with the mutual consent of the state’s director of development and adjutant general.

The commission would represent Ohio’s economic development interests as well as evaluate and support business relations between the state and foreign countries.

That bill was forwarded to the House Development Committee.

The defense commission would include members from the Ohio House and Senate, the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, the state’s congressional delegation and governor’s office as well as representatives from various parts of the state, JobsOhio’s chief investment officer and the adjutant general.

The commission’s goal would be to consider strategies to promote the state’s defense industry.

The bill was sent to the House Veterans and Military Development Committee.