The Buckeye Institute presented testimony before the Ohio House General Government Committee in support of House Bill 59, which aims to reform and eliminate certain occupational licensing requirements in the state. Greg R. Lawson, a research fellow at The Buckeye Institute, addressed the committee on Tuesday, highlighting how licensing rules impact workers’ ability to begin or advance their careers.
“Occupational licensing rules may not make news headlines,” Lawson said, “but they do make a difference in the lives of workers looking to start or extend their careers.”
Lawson called on lawmakers to consider recommendations from The Buckeye Institute’s third Opening Doors policy brief, which suggests eliminating or reforming 39 state-required licenses. He commended legislators for enhancing the review process by mandating that licensing entities provide updated quantitative data. This data includes information on license applicants, approvals and denials, new approvals, renewals (including those previously approved), disciplinary actions taken, and changes in revenue and costs.
Lawson stated that this increased specificity would improve legislative hearings and future reviews of licensing requirements. “That specificity will better inform legislative hearings and make future licensing reviews more thorough and effective,” he said.
House Bill 59 incorporates several of The Buckeye Institute’s recommendations. These include reducing license fees for various medical professionals such as physicians, physician assistants, podiatrists, radiologic assistants, environmental health specialists, and lead abatement contractors. The bill also proposes consolidating multiple radon-related licenses into a single “Radon Mitigation Specialist” license with reduced fees. Additionally, it would eliminate licenses for “Tough Guy” contests and reduce continuing education requirements for licensed school counselors.
In his closing remarks to the committee members, Lawson expressed appreciation for their work: “Thank you, Chair Ray and members of the Committee, for your diligent efforts to reduce Ohio’s bureaucratic burdens.”
