Issue Updates

Regulatory Reform White Paper (PDF)

 

October 2009

This past week, the Ohio Chamber testified in support of legislation that would help small businesses navigate the many regulations Ohio has in place. HB 230, introduced by Representatives Mike Moran (D- Hudson) and Jim Zehringer (R- Fort Recovery) requires the Department of Administrative Services (DAS) to establish a centralized electronic system for regulatory notification. This system will allow small business owners to register and receive notices from state agencies concerning proposed rules. 

With the passage of HB 285 last year along with the governor’s executive order regarding the implementation of common sense business regulations, there has been an effort to improve the regulatory environment in Ohio, but more can be done. The Ohio Chamber supports HB 230 and will continue to work with legislators as it moves through the process.

More government regulation continues to loom over employers as Congress works to hash out the details of a viable health care reform plan. Members of the U.S. House are still working to combine health care packages that came out of the House Ways and Means, Energy and Commerce, and Education and Labor Committees. Meanwhile, the Senate is awaiting passage of a bill from the Senate Finance Committee before combining it with the bill that came out of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee

While congress works to come up with bills in each chamber, conservative democrats in the House are voicing their concern over a public option especially if it looks as if such an option may die in the Senate. As mentioned last month, the coalition Employers for Quality Health Care, (the Ohio Chamber is a member) is working to voice the concerns and interests of businesses small and large. Just recently, the coalition’s Web site added an employer cost calculator to compare the costs of health care under the House’s proposal. Send your members here for more information.

 

September 2009

As members of Congress prepare to return to Washington for fall session, health care legislation will be the number one priority. That is why the Ohio Chamber of Commerce has joined a national alliance of state chambers of commerce and business organizations focused on health care reform. The coalition – Employers for Quality Health Care – represents businesses small and large. This alliance – made up of 19 organizations from every corner of the country – will work together to ensure that any health care reform passed by the U.S. Congress truly gets at the root of the problems facing American employers today. 

In the coming weeks, Employers for Quality Health Care will be providing more information and opportunities for you and your members to get engaged. As Congress considers health care reform this fall, they need to hear from their constituents in order to better assess the impact of new policies. For more information regarding this coalition and the resources available to your and your members, please click here

 

August 2009

While we often think of government regulations as those issues pertaining to regulatory reform, there are a number of proposals at the state and federal level right now that should be lumped into this category. Health care reform is in the spotlight and many of the ideas being thrown around would impose government regulations that dramatically impact businesses.

At the state level, two health care mandates were placed in the state budget that will take effect in the next couple of years. One would increase the dependant age to 28. Any employer who provides dependant coverage through their health care plan would be required to cover dependents up to age 28. While employers are not required to pay the premiums of older dependents under this provision, the impact of these dependents on group costs will affect employers. The other would eventually require employers to provide premium only cafeteria plans to their employees.

On the federal level, congress is working on several health care bills that could significantly impact small businesses in a number of ways. Among the proposals being considered;

  • Employers would be mandated to provide health care to employees or pay an 8 percent payroll tax. (A sliding scale is included for small businesses on revenues between $250,000 and $400,000)

  • There would be a government run health care plan.

  • Mandate on individuals to purchase health insurance.

  • State created co-ops to ensure competition with any public plan.

  • Placing a surcharge on the so-called “wealthy” which would include some small business owners.

These are just some of the proposals that if implemented would impact employers. While schedules are unpredictable during the legislative process, it appears as though congress will not have any votes until at least September. However, please contact us with any questions you or your members have.

 

June 2009

Over the past year, regulatory reform has been a hot topic around the statehouse. In early 2008, Governor Strickland signed an executive order requiring state agencies to adopt common sense business regulations. Shortly after, Sen. Keith Faber (R- Celina) introduced SB 3, which would make it easier for small businesses to be involved in the rulemaking process. Portions of SB 3 were included in the Senate passed version of the budget HB 1. The provisions in HB 1 give the rule making body JCARR (Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review) more authority to invalidate rules that are overly burdensome on small businesses.

More recently, two members of the Ohio House of Representatives, Rep. Moran (D- Hudson) and Rep. Zehringer (R- Fort Recovery) introduced HB 230. This legislation would most notably allow Ohio EPA’s Office of Compliance Assistance and Pollution Prevention (OCAPP) to help businesses comply with environmental regulations without being penalized. Specifically, businesses would have the opportunity to have OCAPP review their operations and point out any improvements that would help make the business more efficient without the employer worrying about being penalized for any minor violations that EPA might find. This common sense change helps employers streamline their operations without fear of being penalized for seeking advice and consultation.

The Ohio Chamber applauds the Ohio Legislature for these regulatory reform efforts and urges the House and the Senate to work together to pass a bill that will truly improve Ohio’s business climate.

 

 

May 2009

Earlier this year, we informed you of legislation to reform Ohio’s regulatory system. Sen. Keith Faber (R- Celina) introduced SB 3 and immediately held committee hearings to discuss the bill. After passing the Senate 32-0 early this spring, the bill has been awaiting action in the Ohio House. Just last week, the Ohio Senate rolled provisions of this bill into the state operating budget in an effort to quickly pass regulatory reform in Ohio. SB 3 would change the process that state agencies use to issue rules that may adversely affect small businesses in Ohio. Specifically, it would require state agencies to file a cost benefit analysis with a newly created Review Board to determine the impact on small businesses and whether or not the impact is too great. SB 3 would also make it easier for small businesses to be notified and comment on proposed state agency rules while requiring specific time frames for the consideration and implemention of new rules. The Ohio Chamber supports this legislation and will continue to follow it as it considered by the House and Senate during the conference committee deliberations on House Bill 1.

 

April 2009

Recently the governor appointed John Stephan to serve as Special Assistant to the Governor for Regulatory Reform. Replacing Scott North, John has a diverse background preparing him for this new responsibility. He holds a law degree from the Cincinnati College of Law, has served as Executive Director of the Ohio Liquor Control Commission, Legislative Director and Counsel to U.S. Congressman Tim Ryan and Minority Legal Counsel in the Ohio House of Representatives. 

He recently provided some information regarding his duties and responsibilities that may be helpful to you and your members. John will be working to continue the implementation of the governor’s common sense regulatory reform executive order that seeks to streamline the regulatory process. He will also be working to grow the Ohio Business Gateway while bringing more transparency and flexibility to Ohio’s regulatory authorities.

Moving forward, John has asked that anyone with questions or concerns please feel free to contact him or any of the Ombudsmen for any of the state agencies. In order to improve the regulatory environment in Ohio, the administration needs constant feedback from businesses allowing them to fully understand what changes need to be made. An updated list of regulatory ombudsmen is attached to this newsletter along with John’s contact information below.
 
John M. Stephan
Special Assistant to the Governor for Regulatory Reform
30 East Broad Street, 40th Floor Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 728-4497/Fax: (614) 644-8151/john.stephan@das.state.oh.us

 

March 2009

As mentioned in previous updates, the Ohio Senate has been working on legislation aimed at reforming Ohio’s regulatory system. Sen. Keith Faber (R- Celina) introduced SB 3 earlier this year and immediately held committee hearings to discuss the legislation. Just a few weeks ago, SB 3 passed the Senate with a 32-0 vote. If passed by the Ohio House and signed by the governor, it would change the process that state agencies use to issue rules that may adversely affect small businesses in Ohio. Specifically, it would require state agencies to file a cost benefit analysis with a newly created Review Board (made up of 9 appointees) to determine the impact on small businesses and whether or not the impact is too great. SB 3 would also make it easier for small businesses to be notified and comment on proposed state agency rules. The Ohio Chamber supports this legislation and will continue to follow it as it moves through the Ohio House.

 

February 2009

Last year, the Ohio General Assembly created a task force aimed at streamlining the regulatory system in Ohio. At the conclusion of this task force’s hearings, a final report was issued with recommendations for Ohio to consider. Recently, as an outgrowth of the work of the taskforce Sen. Keith Faber (R- Celina) introduced SB 3. It changes the process that state agencies use to issue rules that may adversely affect small businesses in Ohio. Specifically, it would require state agencies to file a cost benefit analysis with a newly created Review Board (made up of 9 appointees) to determine the impact on small businesses and whether or not the impact is too great. SB 3 would also make it easier for small businesses to be notified and comment on proposed state agency rules. The Ohio Chamber supports SB 3 and will be closely monitoring it as it moves through the legislature. 

 

January 2009

Just as with last year’s program, the 2009-10 version of the Chamber Action Alliance will continue to focus on government regulations and how they affect employers and businesses across the state. We will continue to monitor proposals and legislation in this area while calling on local chambers when necessary to engage your members. It is the Ohio Chamber’s position that while common sense regulations are often necessary, Ohio must do a better job of making compliance easier and less burdensome.

 





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