The Buckeye Institute testified on March 18 before the Ohio House Local Government Committee in support of Ohio House Bill 361, which aims to reduce government delays that slow down home construction projects and increase housing costs.
The issue is significant as delays in building plan approvals and inspections can lead to higher material and financing costs, forcing developers to scale back or abandon projects. This situation contributes to a limited housing supply and rising prices, affecting both workers and local governments.
Greg R. Lawson, senior research fellow at The Buckeye Institute, said during his testimony that every delay in a home construction project “incurs costs: materials become more expensive, financing becomes more expensive, and developers must often scale back or abandon projects altogether.” He added that these delays have consequences that “ripple through the economy.” Lawson explained that House Bill 361 would require local building departments to complete plan reviews and inspections within 30 days of a request. If they fail to do so, applicants could use qualified third-party private inspectors—an approach used successfully in other states—to keep projects on schedule. “These changes will produce long-term benefits not only for developers and homeowners but for local governments themselves,” Lawson said. He pointed out that when new homes are built, the property tax base expands without raising taxes.
House Bill 361 also addresses access permits for construction on local roads by requiring timely decisions from counties or townships. If no decision is made within a set period, approval would be granted by default. Lawson said this provision reduces regulatory uncertainty and helps ensure infrastructure projects are not delayed by bureaucracy. He concluded his remarks by saying the bill’s policies “ensure that when developers and homeowners are ready to build, local government paperwork and bureaucratic approvals will not stand in the way.”
According to the official website, The Buckeye Institute depended on private funding from individuals, corporations, and foundations. The organization had offices on Capitol Square in Columbus, Ohio according to its official website. It worked to promote free-market public policy via research, data analysis, and policy development according to its official website. While concentrating on Ohio issues, it also promoted free-market ideas nationally according to its official website. The group aided policymakers with research and data supporting free-market principles according to its official website.
The Buckeye Institute was classified as a nonprofit under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code according to its official website.
As concerns over affordable housing continue across Ohio, supporters say reforms like those proposed in House Bill 361 could help address shortages without compromising safety or requiring taxpayer subsidies.
