Mary Alice Reporting –
A bill related to what vehicles Ohioans can purchase was passed in 2023 and signed by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine.
House Bill 201, sponsored by Representatives Brett Hillyer and Steve Demetriou, prohibits state agency, county, or township from restricting the sale or use of a motor vehilce based upon the energy used to power the vehilce.
Hillyer noted, during a regular session, that while California is adopting emission standard policies, it doesn’t align with the needs of other states, including Ohio.
“Taking their ambitious goal of phasing out gasoline powered automobiles. It may sound notable and aspirational but let’s not kid ourselves, it’s certainly not possible. Let us not lose site of the fact that Ohioans are practical people. We wholeheartedly support progress and safe guarding our environment but let’s do it in manner that doesn’t place undue burden on our working families and the people we’re sworn to serve.”
Representative Demetriou added that this was a common sense bill that would shield Ohioans from costly government regulations.
“By ensuring that we do not adopt any loopholes or exceed existing federal environmental law, and by ensuring Ohioans can always purchase any vehilce they chose to purchase, whether it’s powered by gas or electricity.”
Opposition came from District 43 Rep. Michele Grim, who said House Bill 201 provides a solution to a problem that doesn’t exist and singles out those who want to invest in clean energy and electric vehicles.
“We should instead be making steps to make sure Ohio is a more attractive state for clean energy job creation and fostering workforce training programs for workers to transition into the EV manufacturing.”
Governor DeWine signed the bill into law at the end of December.
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