Johnson Introduces Bill Establishing Legislative Oversight on Public Health Orders
January 28, 2021
Terry Johnson News
COLUMBUS—State Senator Terry Johnson (R-McDermott) this week introduced and provided sponsorship testimony for Senate Bill 22, which provides legislative oversight of a Governor’s public health orders.
Senate Bill 22 would establish the Ohio Health Oversight and Advisory Committee, a bi-partisan, joint legislative committee that would advise and oversee actions taken by the Governor and the Ohio Department of Health during a statewide public health emergency. The Committee would also have the authority to rescind an executive order issued by the Governor, or a special or standing order or rule issued by the Department of Health for preventing the spread of a contagious disease.
The bill further prohibits the Governor or the Department of Health from reissuing any rescinded executive order, special or standing order, or rule for 90 days. Public health state of emergencies issued by the Governor would also only remain in effect for 30 days unless the General Assembly adopted an extension through concurrent resolution. "The goal of this legislation is to give the citizens of the state of Ohio, through their elected officials, a voice in matters related to public health," Johnson said. "This bill restores reasonable checks and balances that are crucial to the functioning of our government." To watch Senator Johnson give sponsor testimony on Senate Bill 22, click here.
Senate Bill 22 would establish the Ohio Health Oversight and Advisory Committee, a bi-partisan, joint legislative committee that would advise and oversee actions taken by the Governor and the Ohio Department of Health during a statewide public health emergency. The Committee would also have the authority to rescind an executive order issued by the Governor, or a special or standing order or rule issued by the Department of Health for preventing the spread of a contagious disease.
The bill further prohibits the Governor or the Department of Health from reissuing any rescinded executive order, special or standing order, or rule for 90 days. Public health state of emergencies issued by the Governor would also only remain in effect for 30 days unless the General Assembly adopted an extension through concurrent resolution. "The goal of this legislation is to give the citizens of the state of Ohio, through their elected officials, a voice in matters related to public health," Johnson said. "This bill restores reasonable checks and balances that are crucial to the functioning of our government." To watch Senator Johnson give sponsor testimony on Senate Bill 22, click here.