As Introduced

136th General Assembly

Regular Session H. B. No. 454

2025-2026

Representatives Hiner, Mathews, T.

To amend section 121.17 and to enact section 121.171 of the Revised Code to create the State Government Efficiency Commission.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF OHIO:

Section 1. That section 121.17 be amended and section 121.171 of the Revised Code be enacted to read as follows:

Sec. 121.17. (A) Under the direction of the governor, the directors of departments shall devise a practical and working basis for co-operation and co-ordination of work and for the elimination of duplication and overlapping functions. They shall co-operate with each other in the employment of services and the use of quarters and equipment. The director of any department may empower or require an employee of another department, subject to the consent of the superior officer of the employee, to perform any duty which he the director might require of his the director's own subordinates.

(B) The directors of departments shall provide assistance to the state government efficiency commission established under section 121.171 of the Revised Code and shall cooperate and coordinate to eliminate duplication and overlapping functions identified by the commission.

Sec. 121.171. (A) The state government efficiency commission is created to review state government services and to eliminate duplication and overlapping functions among state departments.

(B) The commission shall do all of the following:

(1) Identify instances of duplication, overlap, or fragmentation across state departments and agencies;

(2) Recommend methods to eliminate or improve services;

(3) Estimate the potential cost savings of implementing a recommendation;

(4) Prepare and deliver, in accordance with section 101.68 of the Revised Code, an annual report to the general assembly. The report shall be submitted not later than the first day of March, and shall summarize the work of the commission for the preceding calendar year. The report shall include the findings of the commission and shall offer recommendations. A recommendation shall not be offered unless it has been approved by a majority of the commission members.

(C) The commission shall consist of the following seven members:

(1) Three members of the house of representatives appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives;

(2) Three members of the senate appointed by the president of the senate;

(3) The director of budget and management or an employee of the office of budget and management designated by the director.

(D) Members of the commission who are members of the general assembly shall serve terms on the commission concurrent with their term in the general assembly.

(E) A member of the commission may be removed at the will of the member's appointing authority. Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as original appointments.

(F) The affirmative vote of not fewer than four members of the commission is required for any action of the commission.

(G) Members of the commission are not entitled to compensation, but shall be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their official duties on the commission.

Section 2. That existing section 121.17 of the Revised Code is hereby repealed.