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Newly Passed Legislation Lowers Filing Fee for Businesses in Ohio, Reps. Derickson and Romanchuk Applaud Bill

March 26, 2015
Republican Newsroom

Press Release Poster

State Representatives Tim Derickson (R-Hanover Twp.) and Mark Romanchuk (R-Ontario) today applauded the House passage of House Bill 3. The legislation strives to update the OhioMeanJobs website and also reduces filing fees for small businesses and entrepreneurs, all with the intent of continuing Ohio’s momentum related to workforce development and job creation.

To initiate a new business, owners are required to file with the Ohio Secretary of State’s office. House Bill 3 lowers the filing fee from $125 to $99—a reduction of 21 percent, making it cheaper and easier for small businesses to get started in Ohio. According to bill testimony, in 2014, 93,775 businesses filed in 2014, setting a record number of business filings over the last five years.

"Ohio is open for business and encouraging the entrepreneurial spirit of Ohioans with this bill," Rep. Derickson, who co-sponsored the bill along with Rep. Romanchuk, said.

Streamlining access to the job search site, OhioMeansJobs, was also a priority of the bill. The legislation works to ensure that Ohio-based companies that are in good standing have access to the website and its various functions by developing deadlines for employers to have equal access over the next 18-24 months. The bill also requires that the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) annually report information regarding usage on the site including the number of jobs posted by employers and the number of resumes on the site that were aggregated from other websites.

“I am grateful for the Secretary of State’s support to help lower the cost of starting a new business in Ohio by reducing the filing fee,” said Rep. Romanchuk. “In addition, ensuring equal access to the OhioMeansJobs website for all Ohio-based companies in good standing is the right thing to do and ultimately will get people employed, which is the goal.”

House Bill 3 passed with strong bipartisan support and will now go to the Senate for further consideration.