Ohio Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor...
CSI Ohio Initiates New Business Rule Review Process 
January 7, 2012 

Columbus – Lt. Governor Mary Taylor today announced that all future state agency rules which adversely impact businesses will be subject to analysis under CSI Ohio, the Common Sense Initiative.  The analysis will help ensure that those affected by business regulations are given the opportunity to help shape those regulations, and will force agencies to validate that the purpose of the regulation justifies the impact to business. 

“CSI Ohio has been working since last January to create a new culture in Ohio government that recognizes that the business community is a partner in our economic success,” said Taylor.  “Our rule review process will help formalize that partnership and restore balance to the development of rules which affect the ability of our businesses to survive, grow, and create jobs.” 

Senate Bill 2, which Taylor helped draft and shepherd through the General Assembly, provided the framework for the CSI analysis.  The bill also required all state agency rules that have an adverse impact on business undergo the analysis before being filed with the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review (JCARR), beginning January 1, 2012. 

The Business Impact Analysis, the centerpiece of the CSI review, forces agencies to demonstrate that they have included stakeholders in the development of the rule, that they have evaluated the impact of the rule on businesses, and that the purpose of the rule is important enough to justify that impact.  After the analysis is complete, it will be turned over to Taylor’s CSI office and to the public to determine whether the agencies have made their case. Under Senate Bill 2, JCARR is given new authority to invalidate a rule if the agency is not able to justify its impact on business. 

“For the first time in Ohio, we have an accountability mechanism that helps ensure the regulations we develop for business actually serve an important public purpose,” said Taylor. “At the end of the day, I believe we will create more effective regulations and a stronger business climate under this process.” 

CSI Ohio was launched on January 10, 2011 by Governor Kasich to reform Ohio’s regulatory policies to help make Ohio a jobs- and business-friendly state. CSI Ohio is reviewing Ohio’s regulatory system to eliminate excessive and duplicative rules and regulations that stand in the way of job creation. Ohioans with ideas on cutting through this red tape are encouraged to visit the CSI website and submit their ideas at www.governor.ohio.gov/CSI.