Thread by @GeoffWSYX6

SOON: the Ohio Senate Transpo/Commerce/Workforce committee will consider these 3 bills👇re-opening certain businesses, repealing some rules, and generally limiting the power of @GovMikeDeWine and @OHdeptofhealth to act on slowing COVID-19.

SB 387 to “terminate a portion of the face covering health order” is up first.

Sponsor Sen. Dave Burke (R-Marysville): “It is not an anti-mask bill; it is about businesses and the liability that rests on (them) under the Governor’s executive order.”

Burke: "Businesses are being forced to enforce an executive order — which could be in question — whether or not the business realizes the violation...the business owner bears that brunt, and there is no stipulation whether the business is willful or wanton to those activities."

Burke on a fictional 'Betty's Coffee Shop': "Betty is supposed to call @OHdeptofhealth and report this; the perpetrators of the offense are not liable, there's no penalty for not wearing a mask...and now (Betty is) liable for that activity."

Burke: "The item I bring before you has nothing to do with the separation of powers (Governor & Legislature). It is an issue of legality."

Committee chair Sen. @Rob_McColley thanks Burke for bringing forward the issue of "whether the executive branch has the ability to legislate on-the-fly."

That concludes the hearing on SB 387.

#NOW: the committee takes up "Business Fairness Act" (HB 621) and introduces an amended substitute bill, including: "The governor & health director cannot issue any order that results in a statewide or regional order, requiring the closure or ceasing of operations of businesses."

This is significant,; HB 621 is being fast-tracked through the legislature during lame duck session. Bringing a substitute bill slows the process — because if/once the amended HB 621 passes the Senate, it would need to go BACK to the House again for consideration and passage.

After a brief break, it sounds like the Senate Transpo/Commerce/Workforce committee has REVOKED the motion to bring an amended bill. A lot of back-and-forth here.

There's now another brief break for discussion.

And now, ANOTHER amendment (potentially same one w/ procedural differences) is brought forth & passes on GOP party line. HB 621 is now officially an amended/SUB bill & will require further action in the House before going to @GovMikeDeWine's desk — where he has promised to veto.

Committee has been on another break for 8-10 minutes now.

And now again, the amended SUB bill for HB 621 is being WITHDRAWN.

So now, we're hearing testimony still on the ORIGINAL HB 621, "Business Fairness Act."

Chris Ferruso, legislative director for @nfib_oh is speaking on behalf of small businesses: "75% (of member businesses) took a PPP loan from the fed; 88% had used up the loan (by September)."

Ferruso: "Almost 1 in 3 members had to close because of government orders, and of those, 54% had to shutter for at least one month...52% of those who took a PPP loan indicated they will need *additional* financial assistance over the next 12 months."

Ferruso: "1 in 5 indicate they will have to close permanently, if the economic conditions in this country do not improve in the next six months."

Ferruso: "HB 621 will make certain our small businesses can remain in operation...every one of our members believes their business is essential.

The playing field must be level."

Today's hearing is over for HB 621. The committee could not make the desired amendments today due to technical difficulties.

Chair Sen. @Rob_McColley: "The goal of the committee will be having this up for another hearing tomorrow, and also to adopt the SUB (amended) bill."

ALSO: SB 374, to repeal @GovMikeDeWine's "last call" order on bars/restaurants, skips through its 3rd hearing with no testimony.

The bill is kind of a moot point now since "last call" expired on November 28th & has been replaced by the Governor's statewide "curfew" order.

That concludes action on the COVID-related bills in the Senate Transpo/Commerce/Workforce Committee today.