Auditor’s office cleanup bill receives first hearing in General Government Committee

Representative Thomas presented House Bill 248 to the House General Government Committee as a broad clean‑up for the Auditor of State's office designed to remove outdated statutory language, clarify oversight responsibilities and align code with current practice. Thomas said the bill is roughly 90 pages of updates developed in conjunction with the Auditor of State and includes provisions such as removing redundant audit requirements for certain technical schools, updating language to meet upcoming Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) guidance, revising continuing education reporting pathways, and cleaning unclaimed‑funds language.

Thomas said the Auditor of State's office supports the bill and that proponents from the office were present to answer technical questions. Committee members asked about specific provisions, including changes tied to village dissolution standards and the Ohio History Connection provision that would make certain public land records available through that organization; Thomas said staff would follow up with specific information and could request lists from the Legislative Service Commission where appropriate.

The hearing concluded with sponsor testimony and committee Q&A; no committee action or vote was recorded on the bill in this session.