Columbus – The following statement can be attributed to Auditor of State Dave Yost regarding H.B. 396, involving administrative law and the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review. Current law includes a special exception for the Auditor of State’s office from general requirements to file rule summaries and fiscal analyses for proposed rule changes. H.B. 396 would do away with this exception.

“What’s good for the goose is good for the gander,” Auditor Yost said. “This exception has outlived its usefulness, and my office should follow the same rules as everyone else. Rule summaries and fiscal analyses are important tools for government transparency.”

Auditor Yost has voluntarily complied with the requirement despite the statute exempting the office.

The bill also allows the Auditor to give electronic notice of public hearings on proposed rule changes, in lieu of notice by U.S. mail. The Auditor noted that the most recent rule change proposed by the office cost more than $1,600 in mailing, and allowing electronic notice would be both more timely and save thousands of dollars in future postage and other costs.

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The Auditor of State’s office, one of five independently elected statewide offices in Ohio, is responsible for auditing more than 5,600 state and local government agencies. Under the direction of Auditor Dave Yost, the office also provides financial services to local governments, investigates and prevents fraud in public agencies and promotes transparency in government.

Contact:
Carrie Bartunek
Press Secretary
(614) 728-7198