HB205 - ANTI Free Market Bill
Mandates Workforce for Construction Projects at Oil Refineries
House Bill 205 was introduced and passed in June 2023 by Representative DJ Swearingen. He states the bill that establishes safety standards for construction work at oil refineries. House Bill 205 has little to nothing to do with safety.
Never trust a bill that is introduced to a committee a day after being introduced, passed out of the committee within two weeks time, to then pass the Ohio House of Representatives within the same month. That is the definition of people rushing a bill through the Ohio House of Representatives. House Bill 205 forces a government mandated hiring quota for construction projects at oil refineries. It also fines companies $10,000/day for violating conditions.
Some opponents to House Bill 205 :
Steve Schwartz, Director of Maintenance and Construction Cenovus Energy, Lima Refinery
David Blatnik, Manager State Government Affairs, Marathon
Claudio Ingaramo, Interim Regional Vice President of Cenovus Energy’s US operations
Christopher Ferruso, State Director NFIB
Alexandra Denney: Ohio Business Roundtable
Doug Powell: Cenovous Energy, Toledo Refinery
Joseph DeFlora: American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers
Rick Carfagna: Ohio Chamber of Commerce
Rob Brundrett: Ohio Oil and Gas Association
Chris Ziegler: American Petroleum Institute- Ohio
All shared the sentiment that a apprenticeship program does nothing for safety. In fact it creates unnecessary burdens on the refineries while increasing cost of production due to new requirements of companies staff and paperwork. HB205 will shrink their workforce due to quotas which leads to timelines for projects potentially being pushed back because they lack qualified workers. Companies can also be stuck paying more for services due to lack of competition in the market, since they are mandated to hire contractors who are in State approved program. Worst case scenario, refineries could ultimately leave the state, due to over regulation.
Regardless, the outcome of HB205 passing the Senate will lead to increased oil prices for Ohioans. These increased costs to the refineries will be payed by the consumer as they will be factored in to cost of production.
Jeff Dillon with Americans for Prosperity spoke to private businesses having the most invested in the safety of their workforce, High standards of safety are required to maximize profits. Oil refineries are self serving entities, safety issues can lead to a loss of income via shut downs, lawsuits and insurance payouts.
Responding to Jeff Dillon was Representative Sara Carruthers in a very snarky and sarcastic manner. She asked if the refineries didn't have to hire construction workers, which is irrelevant. Dillon's argument was against a government mandated quota forcing a percentage of the refineries workforce to be union workers vs. non union workers. To be clear both union and non union contractors work on projects, but government should not have a say in staffing of a private business.
Carruthers seemed upset that Jeff Dillon had brought up the fact that this bill was rushed into committee and cosponsor request was not circulated to all House members before the bill was introduced. See video above for her comments.
Representative Juanita Brent (D) started her question by stating she is, "Kind of insulted" because John Dillon, "is trying to talk about us like the committee is up to some "funny business"".
Jeff Dillon did say to them that this bill was to appease their donors. However when she said "funny business" I started to think, Blue 22.
The Blue 22 were the twenty-two Republicans that brokered a deal with Democrats to elect Jason Stephens as Speaker of the House. At the time Republicans were very concerned that these twenty-two were going to continuously deal with the Democrats to push their Agenda through the House.
Mean Street News podcast interviewed Representative Dick Stein and Representative DJ Swearingen, asking both the same questions to try and understand what both sides were thinking at the time. Looking at the Homeland Security Committee and the cosponsors of this bill, those people who were concerned might be right.
For fun, I broke down who from the Blue Twenty-Two were on the Homeland Security Committee, sponsored the bill, and who from the group voted Yea to pass HB205 in the House. Once again it looks like our Republican members might be up to some "funny business". I do not know for sure, statistical probability high, but we need to be aware of pattern of behavior, especially legislation that would negatively impact Ohioans.
On September 20th, the Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee heard opening remarks from Representative DJ Swearingen on HB 205. It is important to call, email, or write the members of the Senate Energy and Public Utilities Commission in opposition to HB205.
Government should not be mandating employment quotas to private businesses, if passed this legislation can lead to government assuming the role of hiring manager for private businesses. House Bill 205 is anti- safety, anti- free market, and Pro government mandates for the private sector. Keep an eye on Mean Street Ohio for the Template to send to the Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committees second hearing.
You can watch clips of the Opposition Testimony on Mean Street News YouTube Channel or Rumble or Follow my Twitter Handle: @RedRightQueen. You can listen to HB205 on Informed Ohio Podcast, available on I Heart, Spotify, Apple, Google, and all major Podcast Platforms.
