Kevin Ritter - Ohio State Rep. 94th

A moment of levity during testimony yesterday on HB907 with my Democrat joint-sponsor Rep. Dontavius Jarrells.

Important testimony this morning on HB632, my bill offering Gold Star and Next of Kin family members appropriate and visible recognition of their status on their driver's license or state ID.

Thank you to Gary & Karla Ward for working with me on this important legislation.

Thank you

Memorial Day

The holiday began after the American Civil War, which caused more American military deaths than any other conflict in U.S. history. Communities across the country started holding springtime tributes by decorating soldiers’ graves with flowers and flags.

Originally called Decoration Day, the observance is often linked to General John A. Logan, who in 1868 issued an order for a nationwide day of remembrance for fallen Union soldiers. The first large national observance took place at Arlington National Cemetery.

After World War I, the holiday expanded to honor Americans who died in all wars, not just the Civil War. Over time, “Memorial Day” became the more common name, and in 1971 it officially became a federal holiday observed on the last Monday in May.

People sometimes confuse Memorial Day with Veterans Day:

* Memorial Day honors those who died in military service.

* Veterans Day honors all U.S. military veterans, living and deceased.

“What do you to in Columbus all day?” I hear that a lot. Sometimes it's meetings….and sometimes events. Other times it’s phone calls and committee hearings. Yesterday it was legislation. Because we are nearing the end of our session for the spring and there's a rush to get things done, I testified on four pieces of legislation yesterday.

HCR40 – Along with my joint-sponsor, Rep. Monica Robb-Blasdel, we testified before the House Natural Resources Committee about a piece of legislation calling on Congress to implement a plan called the Ohio River Restoration Program Act to ensure that our state’s most vital waterway is properly maintained and cared for.

HB632 – As the bill’s lone sponsor, I testified before the House Military Affairs Committee about legislation designed to add a visible indication of a military family member’s “Gold Star” or “Next of Kin” status on their driver’s license or state ID card.

HB751 – Along with my joint-sponsor, Rep. Adam Matthews, we testified before the Judiciary Committee on legislation designed to provide a legal “cause of action” for donors whose gifts to state universities are not used for the purposes that they were given.

HB217 – Along with my Democrat joint sponsor, Rep. Christine Cockley, we testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee on legislation that would require law enforcement agencies to enter personal information for missing persons or unidentified deceased persons into a national database, making reunion and/or identification easier.

It was a whirlwind day. All four testimonies went well. It was a lot of back-and-forth around the statehouse yesterday. I even had to leave session on the floor of the House to go testify on HB217 in the Senate.

I also received word yesterday that another of my bills (along with joint-sponsor Rep. Jonathan Newman) has received approval in the Senate and is headed to the Governor for his signature.

There’s a little bit of a longer explanation of what I am doing in Columbus to represent the people of the 94th District.

Proud to be working with military families on this.

https://www.mariettatimes.com/news/2026/05/ohio-bill-would-create-gold-star-family-drivers-license/?fbclid=IwdGRjcAR0bmdjbGNrBHRuD2V4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHurmUsKSZ_d4Y_w4cnA2cY8Cz4nffsyZL0_y8iVu66fiVFHNNIOMda1nx2zz_aem_0V7rCTasi_cbjTKO_rdPwQ

Ohio bill would create Gold Star Family driver’s license MARIETTA – Soon family members who lost a loved one in military service will be able to make benefit claims by presenting their driver’s license or state identification card. Rep. Kevin Ritter, R, Marietta, introduced the Gold Star driver’s license bill that makes it possible. “I met a coupl...

It was my pleasure to have one of my favorite couples - Hope Ruza & Blaze Amos - shadow me yesterday in Columbus. I fully expect Blaze will be here some day.

Appreciate the men and women in blue.