Columbus, Ohio – On December 28, 2024, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed House Bill 497 into law, a significant piece of legislation aimed at improving the efficiency and effectiveness of county governments across the state. The bill, championed by Representative Brian Stewart (R-Ashville), introduces several reforms designed to streamline processes, reduce costs, and modernize operations at the local level.
Rep. Stewart, along with his colleague Representative Roy Klopfenstein (R-Haviland), announced the changes, emphasizing the law’s potential to make county government more responsive and efficient while ensuring transparency and accountability.
“H.B. 497 is a collaborative effort to modernize county operations and remove outdated barriers that hinder local governments from performing at their best,” said Representative Klopfenstein. “By working with the County Commissioners Association of Ohio and other key stakeholders, we’ve developed a law that will help counties operate more effectively, ultimately benefiting Ohio’s residents.”
The law introduces several key provisions, including:
- Streamlining County Improvement Projects: Reducing bureaucratic hurdles for county development initiatives.
- Updating Public Notice Requirements: Aligning requirements with modern communication technologies and digital platforms.
- Improving Public Children Services Agency Hiring: Enhancing flexibility in hiring practices for public children services agencies.
- Modernizing Procurement Rules: Updating procurement policies to better reflect current practices and needs.
- Simplifying Property Donations to Nonprofits: Making it easier for counties to donate property to nonprofit organizations.
- Clarifying Coroner Compensation and Practices: Providing clearer guidelines for coroner compensation and operational procedures.
Representative Stewart highlighted the importance of modernizing provisions that have not been updated since the 1950s. “Many of these changes will help make county government more efficient and responsive to the needs of Ohioans,” he said. “By cutting red tape and improving processes, we are empowering local governments to serve their communities more effectively.”
House Bill 497 is expected to go into effect 90 days after being signed into law, marking a significant step toward a more efficient and modern county government system in Ohio.
