Ohio House Passes Legislation to Strengthen Fiscal Accountability Through Zero-Based Budgeting

State Representative Mike Dovilla (R–Berea) today announced that the Ohio House of Representatives passed a bill, and adopted a concurrent resolution, both designed to promote greater fiscal discipline, transparency, and accountability through the use of zero-based budgeting.

House Bill 645, championed by Rep. Dovilla, requires Ohio to periodically employ zero-based budgeting in the development of the state operating budget. Beginning with the 138th General Assembly, which will convene in January 2029, and each General Assembly thereafter, a portion of state agencies would be required to build their budget requests from the ground up, rather than relying on prior biennial spending levels as a starting point.

Under traditional budgeting practices, agencies typically begin with the previous budget and adjust spending upward based on inflation, growth, or new initiatives. Over time, this incremental approach can allow outdated, inefficient, or duplicative programs to continue without meaningful review. Zero-based budgeting takes a different approach by requiring agencies to justify each requested dollar based on current needs, performance, and priorities.

“Zero-based budgeting is about changing the question from what government spent last time to what government can justify today,” said Dovilla. “This bill creates a practical, structured process to examine whether programs are necessary, effective, and aligned with Ohio’s current priorities, while giving taxpayers greater confidence that their dollars are being spent responsibly.”

By requiring agencies to reexamine programs and expenditures on a regular basis, zero-based budgeting encourages careful evaluation, prioritization, and accountability, while helping to ensure that limited taxpayer resources are directed toward the most effective and essential functions of government.

Additionally, House Concurrent Resolution 32 urges the United States Congress to adopt a zero-based budgeting process at the federal level. 

“Ohio families and small businesses make careful decisions every day about how to manage their resources, and they should expect the same discipline from Washington,” Dovilla added. “By urging Congress to adopt zero-based budgeting, Ohio is calling for a more transparent process that reexamines spending, combats fraud and waste, and better aligns federal programs with today’s needs.”

House Bill 645 and House Concurrent Resolution 32 now go to the Senate for further consideration.