House Committee Begins Hearings on Bill to Remove Red Tape Around Business Expansion

COLUMBUS, OH — The Economic and Workforce Development Committee yesterday heard sponsor testimony from State Rep. Brett Hillyer (R-Uhrichsville) on House Bill 476. The legislation would create a new universal regulatory sandbox program within the Ohio Department of Commerce which would allow people to obtain limited access to the markets in Ohio to test their products or services without obtaining any other licensure or authorization that would typically be required.

“The creation of the universal regulatory sandbox program and regulatory relief office will allow us to create the best possible economic environment for the State of Ohio,” said Hillyer. “By getting government out of the way, we allow our businesses to grow and thrive.”

The legislation would also create a regulatory relief office within the department that is responsible for administering this program and acting as a liaison between private businesses and state agencies to identify laws or regulations that could be waived or suspended under the universal regulatory sandbox program.

House Bill 476 awaits its second hearing in the Economic and Workforce Development Committee.