House State and Local Government Committee Looks Forward to Public Testimony During Licensure Review

COLUMBUS – The Ohio General Assembly’s statutorily required review of occupational licenses will continue in the coming weeks, announced Chairwoman of the House State and Local Government Committee, State Rep. Marilyn John (R-Richland County).

The House State and Local Government Committee, responsible for spearheading the review process, will have the opportunity to hear from members of the public and interested parties during a committee meeting on October 17th. Chairwoman John asks those planning to testify to notify her office in advance, so she can plan accordingly ahead of the hearing.

Following the process outlined in R.C. Section 101.63, each licensing board must prepare and submit to the committee a report outlining its operations and demonstrating how it satisfies a public need. These reports must present information on the board’s primary purpose, goals, governing structure, and funding sources.

The review process aims to achieve the following:

• Ensure each board is fulfilling its statutory purpose;
• Remove unnecessary barriers to entry in our workforce;
• Promote professional development and job creation; and
• Align Ohio’s occupational license standards with those in other states.

“The testimony provided to the committee thus far has been very helpful, and it gives the committee insight into what is working well and what needs to be improved,” said John. “I look forward to receiving public input at our next hearings and continuing our review process.”

Boards and agencies being reviewed this biennium include:

• Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission;
• State Cosmetology and Barber Board;
• Accountancy Board;
• Department of Agriculture;
• Architects Board and Ohio Landscape Architects Board;
• Ohio Casino Control Commission;
• Department of Commerce – Division of Financial Institutions;
• Department of Commerce – Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing;
• Department of Commerce – Superintendent of Industrial Compliance;
• Motor Vehicle Repair Board;
• Department of Public Safety – Bureau of Motor Vehicles;
• Department of Public Safety;
• State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Surveyors;
• Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services;
• State Racing Commission; and
• Secretary of State