(a) Beginning in 2013, the Mayor and Village Council shall hold a public hearing in February of each year for the purpose of studying the impact on the Village of Newburgh Heights of political contributions by corporations, unions, Political Action Committees ("PACs") and Independent Expenditure-Only Committees ("Super PACs") in connection with the most recent election. The public hearing shall be advertised in accordance with Village ordinances and shall be open to the public. Members of the general public in attendance shall be afforded the opportunity to speak for a period of not less than five minutes per person. The Village shall issue a report of its findings to the Village Fiscal Officer no later than July 15th of each year.
(b) On or before the 21st of January of each year until the United States Congress has proposed an amendment to the United States Constitution as provided for in Article V of the United States Constitution, the Mayor shall provide written notice to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of United States House of Representatives, and the United States congressional delegation representing the Village of Newburgh Heights, including, but not limited to, the two United States Senators representing the State of Ohio, indicating that the citizens of the Village of Newburgh Heights in November of 2012 voted in support of this codified ordinance calling for a constitutional amendment declaring:
(1) Only human beings, not corporations, are legal persons with constitutional rights; and
(2) Money is not equivalent to speech, and therefore regulating political contributions and spending is not equivalent to limiting political speech.
(c) The public hearing required hereunder shall cease if and when a constitutional amendment reflecting the principles set forth in subsection (b) above is ratified by three-fourths (3/4) of state legislatures in the United States of America.
(d) This section shall take effect and be included in the Village ordinances at the earliest date permitted by law.
(Ord. 2012-49. Passed 8-6-12.)