Bill
SB 420
SB 420 would require JobsOhio records and meetings to follow public records and open meetings laws and mandate performance audits by the Auditor of State.
SB 420 (Ohio, 136th General Assembly) – Summary
Overview
- Purpose: Amend Ohio law to publicly classify JobsOhio-created records, require JobsOhio to follow Open Meetings Law, and mandate a performance audit of JobsOhio by the Auditor of State.
- Bill number and sponsor: S. B. No. 420, 136th General Assembly, Senator O'Brien.
- Core aim: Increase transparency and accountability for JobsOhio by applying state public records/open meetings standards and subjecting the nonprofit to performance audits.
Key Provisions and Changes
1) Public records and open meetings for JobsOhio
- Public records (1579- style alignment): Records created by JobsOhio would be public records under Ohio Public Records Law. This places JobsOhio within the same framework as state agencies for record disclosure.
- Open meetings: JobsOhio would be subject to the Open Meetings Law, requiring deliberations and meetings to be conducted publicly, with exceptions only as allowed by law.
- Public status of records: JobsOhio’s records would be accessible and subject to inspection and copying standards, with typical exemptions as defined elsewhere in Ohio law preserved.
2) Auditor of State performance audits
- Mandatory audits: The Ohio Auditor of State would conduct performance audits, including at least four perbiennium (with a mix of audits of state agencies and other state entities). The auditor would assess JobsOhio as a state-related entity, applying performance audit standards.
- Scope of audits: Audits may cover the nonprofit formed under section 187.01 (JobsOhio), treated as a state agency for audit purposes, including consideration of supervisory and subordinate levels where appropriate.
3) Administrative and procedural alignment
- Definitions and scope: The bill revises definitions across multiple sections to incorporate JobsOhio as a public records and open meetings entity, aligning it with state departments, offices, and institutions.
- Interaction with existing exemptions: The bill preserves existing categories of records that may be exempt from disclosure, while applying the public-records framework to JobsOhio.
4) Other contextual framework
- Coverage and interaction with other entities: The bill references standard Ohio Public Records and Open Meetings framework, ensuring JobsOhio interacts consistently with agencies, institutions, and public bodies.
- Public accountability tools: By enabling public access to records and meetings and mandating performance audits, the bill strengthens oversight of JobsOhio’s operations and decisions.
Who is Affected
- Primary: JobsOhio and its records, meetings, and governance activities.
- Indirectly: Public taxpayers and residents who gain access to JobsOhio records and public meeting materials; state auditors and attorneys general as part of audit and enforcement processes; journalists and researchers seeking information on JobsOhio activities.
Timeline and Procedures
- The text introduces amendments to multiple Revised Code sections to take effect per standard implementation timelines pursuant to subsequent enactment and any transition provisions that accompany open-records/open-meetings changes.
- Regular auditing cadence is established (minimum four performance audits per biennium), with coordination among the Auditor of State, the governor, and legislative leaders for audit scope decisions.
Impact and Considerations
- Transparency: JobsOhio would be subject to public-records requests and open-meetings requirements, increasing public visibility into its operations.
- Oversight: A dedicated performance-audit framework would provide ongoing assessment of efficiency, effectiveness, and alignment with state goals.
- Balance of interests: While enhancing transparency, the bill preserves statutory exemptions for sensitive or protected information as defined in existing law.
Note: This is a high-level summary of introduced text. For specifics on exemptions, timelines, and procedural details, consult the bill’s full language and any accompanying fiscal or legislative analysis.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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