Strickland signs small-biz paperwork waiver measure
Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland signed House Bill 285 this week, a measure that gives one free pass to small businesses in the state that rack up first-time paperwork violations.
The measure, introduced about a year ago and cleared in both chambers of the Ohio General Assembly earlier this year, waives fines or civil penalties for small businesses’ first paperwork violation. The waiver applies to a wide range of state agencies, including the Department of Taxation, Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Natural Resources.
The bill also stipulates that fines and penalties remain intact if the violation could cause serious harm or involve a criminal offense.
H.B. 285 garnered support from small businesses and trade groups, including the state chapter of the National Federation of Independent Business.
State legislators roundly backed it as well creditreports. The measure in March passed unanimously in the House of Representatives and went on to receive unanimous Senate approval last month.
As the measure was moving through the General Assembly, Strickland also signed an executive order calling for state agencies to adopt a common-sense approach when reviewing and applying rules and regulations governing Ohio businesses.
With Strickland’s signature on the measure Tuesday, the law takes effect in mid-September.