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Committee votes 12–0 to report Senate Bill 6, which would create expedited building appeals
Summary
The House Development Committee unanimously voted to report Senate Bill 6 to the rules committee after testimony from the Associated General Contractors of Ohio in favor of an expedited appeals process; committee members said amendments narrow the window and require exhaustion of local remedies.
The House Development Committee voted unanimously to report Senate Bill 6 to the rules committee after testimony from the Associated General Contractors (AGC) of Ohio that an expedited building appeals process is needed to reduce costly project delays.
"Under current law, a typical building appeal can last 30 to 60 days," Andrea Ashley of AGC of Ohio told the committee, saying that delays "hurt the entire project" and that the bill’s amendments — including a five-day window for an expedited hearing (excluding holidays and weekends) and a requirement that local remedies be exhausted first — are intended to prevent overwhelming appeals boards.
Ashley said the amendment includes a requirement that a chief building official must certify that local remedies have been exhausted before an expedited appeal can be requested. "The CBO is going to have to say, no," she said, describing this step as a safeguard against frivolous appeals.
After testimony and brief member comments linking the measure to permitting and housing-timeline concerns, Vice Chair Lorenz moved that the committee "favorably vote out Senate Bill 6 and that it be reported to rules in reference." The clerk called the roll and the motion passed unanimously, 12–0.
The committee’s vote moves SB 6 to the next procedural stage; committee members and industry witnesses said the bill aims to accelerate project timelines while guarding against abuse of an expedited process.
