Ohio House Small Business Committee names acting secretary, adopts testimony rules

The Ohio House Small Business Committee on Feb. 4 appointed Ranking Member Upchurch as the committee secretary by unanimous consent and put a set of committee rules on the record governing testimony, amendments and absences.

Chair Haraz Gambari, the newly seated chair of the Small Business Committee, opened the meeting and said he intended the committee to thoroughly vet bills assigned to it. "It's an honor and a privilege to serve as the chair of the Small Business Committee," Gambari said. "I will do everything I can to make sure we have at least 3 hearings on all the legislation that comes before this committee."

The committee adopted the appointment of Upchurch as acting secretary without objection after Gambari asked, "Are there any objections?" and later announced, "Hearing no objections, welcome aboard ranking member Upchurch. He will be our acting secretary." The chair also named his legislative aide, Stephen Wojtek, as the acting clerk for the committee; that appointment was announced by Gambari and not objected to during the meeting.

Gambari read a five‑point set of committee rules into the record. Key provisions included: written testimony should be submitted to the chair's office at least 24 hours before a meeting unless the chair waives the deadline; oral testimony is "strictly limited to 5 minutes in length" though that limit does not apply to questions and answers between committee members and witnesses; individuals wishing to testify must complete a witness information form by the deadline; members seeking to be excused must submit written requests before the meeting; and the rules of the House of Representatives apply unless these rules state otherwise. Gambari noted the chair may waive several deadlines at his discretion.

Committee members introduced themselves and summarized small‑business experience from a range of sectors including plumbing, trucking, retail grocery, insurance, broadcasting and in‑home senior care. Vice Chair Levi Dean, Ranking Member Upchurch and several House members spoke briefly about their small business backgrounds; those introductions were part of the committee's organizational agenda.

The chair also explained new committee room audio controls and an on‑screen timer for witnesses to help enforce the five‑minute testimony limit. Gambari said the rules and tools were intended to streamline hearings and to ensure out‑of‑state and in‑state witnesses receive ample opportunity to testify.

No bills, ordinances or substantive policy measures were debated or voted on during this meeting. The recorded actions were the appointments and the rules read into the record; no roll‑call vote was taken on either appointment, and both were announced without objection.

The committee adjourned at about 2:36 p.m. and said it expects to follow the rules laid out for future hearings during the 130th General Assembly.