The Ohio Chamber of Commerce formalized legislative wins for the state’s business community in just the past two days with three key bill signings by Governor Mike DeWine:
Senate Bill 302 – this bill takes steps to combat fraud in Ohio’s unemployment compensation system, which is entirely funded by employer taxes. Ohio Chamber General Counsel Kevin Shimp testified that the legislation’s data sharing agreements and income verification tools will make it harder for criminal actors to exploit Ohio’s unemployment system and could prevent a repeat of the massive fraud witnessed over the COVID-19 pandemic.
Senate Bill 131 – this bill establishes universal occupational licensure reciprocity, which helps Ohio address its workforce challenges by recruiting out-of-state workers and welcoming back the millions of Ohioans who have fled the state over time. During his committee testimony supporting SB 131, Ohio Chamber SVP Rick Carfagna explained that by recognizing occupational licenses from other states, SB 131 reduces or even eliminates certain re-licensing costs for individuals while also supplying Ohio with trained professionals having the skills to match in-demand career fields.
Senate Bill 288 – the Ohio House amended an Ohio Chamber priority bill, House Bill 283, into Senate Bill 288 which contained several criminal justice reforms. The legislation makes “using, holding, or physically supporting” an electronic device while driving a primary offense, meaning law enforcement can stop and cite drivers solely for that offense.
SB 288 will go into effect in 90 days, and law enforcement will issue warnings to drivers violating the law during the first six months after the effective date. Following the six-month grace period, law enforcement can issue citations with penalties including a fine of up to $150 for a driver's first offense and two points on their license, unless a distracted driving safety course is completed. Increased penalties can occur if the driver is a repeat offender.
These distracted driving law enhancements contain an assortment of exceptions, including allowing the use of devices if drivers are stopped at a red light, using a speakerphone function without holding the phone, or holding a phone to their ears for a call but not using texting or typing functions. The Ohio Chamber heard from members across several business sectors about the importance of making Ohio’s roads safer for families, workers, and all who depend on the roads for their livelihoods.
