Abrams Announces House Passage of Oversight Legislation

COLUMBUS – State Rep. Cindy Abrams (R-Harrison) today joined her House colleagues in passing legislation that reduces regulations and improves oversight of state health department orders. Senate Bill 1 limits any orders issued by the Ohio Department of Health Director for 14 days.

“I’m proud to support legislation that increases government transparency and provides legislative oversight,” said Abrams. “It’s important Ohioans have their voices heard through their elected representatives.”

Under the legislation, the Ohio Department of Health Director has the flexibility to respond to emergency health crises, but makes it clear that power is not unlimited. Orders seeking to extend beyond that time would need approval from the legislative Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review (JCARR), a 10-member panel consisting of five House and Senate members from both parties. JCARR may approve an extension by a majority vote that includes at least three members from each chamber.

S.B. 1 also requires certain agencies to reduce the number of regulatory restrictions in their administrative rules. The legislation was amended today in the House State and Local Government Committee to include the legislative oversight provision.

The bill now heads to the Senate for a concurrence vote.