This constitutional amendment was placed on the ballot with legislative passage of Resolution Number 6 (SJR 6). It would require the state to create the Livestock Care Standards Board to prescribe standards for animal care and well-being that endeavor to maintain food safety, encourage locally grown and raised food, and protect Ohio farms and families.

The Board would establish standards after considering agricultural best management practices, biosecurity, disease prevention, animal morbidity/mortality data, food safety practices, and the protection of local, affordable food supplies. The bi-partisan Board would be comprised of thirteen members with expertise in farming, animal care, and food safety issues, and chaired by the director of the state department that regulates agriculture.

The Governor will appoint ten members of the Board, as follows:
• One representing family farmers
• One knowledgeable about food safety in Ohio
• Two representing Ohio farming organizations
• One who is a veterinarian
• The State Veterinarian
• The dean of the agriculture department of an Ohio college or university
• One representing a county humane society in Ohio
• Two representing Ohio's consumers

The Leaders of the Ohio House of Representatives and the Ohio Senate will each appoint a family farmer to the Board. If approved, this proposed amendment will be effective immediately.

Official Arguments
By law, the five-member Ohio Ballot Board designates a group of individuals to prepare and file arguments in support of or in opposition to each proposed constitutional amendment. Click below to read the official arguments regarding State Issue 2.

Ballot Language
Read exactly what’s printed on the ballot regarding Issue 2: