Bill Aims to Force Ohio Local Governments to Post Budgets Online, Mandating Full Financial Transparency

COLUMBUS, OH—Ohio lawmakers are pushing for a major overhaul of local government financial reporting with the introduction of House Bill 413 (HB 413). The proposed legislation seeks to create a central, searchable, and mandatory online database for all local spending and revenue, a move proponents say is critical for increasing taxpayer accountability.

The bill, referred to as the Ohio Local Government Expenditure Database, would significantly expand the state’s existing “Ohio Checkbook” transparency platform, which currently allows local jurisdictions to participate voluntarily.

Closing the Transparency Loophole

If enacted, HB 413 would mandate that thousands of local entities—including counties, cities, villages, townships, school districts, public libraries, park districts, and regional transit authorities—must disclose their complete revenues and expenditures online in a standardized, user-friendly format.

Currently, only a fraction of local governments participate in the voluntary state platform, leaving taxpayers to navigate time-consuming public records requests to see how their money is spent.

“Local governments and jurisdictions are already required to make tax collection and spending information available upon taxpayer request. House Bill 413 simply streamlines that process by making local revenues and expenditures immediately accessible online, eliminating the need for residents to file time-consuming public records requests and wait weeks for a response,” said Greg Lawson, a research fellow, in recent testimony supporting the bill.

Key Provisions of HB 413

The legislation aims to address two main areas of transparency:

* Mandatory Local Reporting: It establishes the Ohio Local Government Expenditure Database and requires participation from all specified political subdivisions and taxing jurisdictions.
* Complete Financial Picture: The new database would be required to include information on both expenditures and revenues, offering a more comprehensive financial overview than current systems.

Sponsors argue that this comprehensive and mandated financial reporting will help restore public trust, combat the misuse of public funds, and empower citizens to participate in more informed, data-driven local decision-making. Supporters view the bill as a necessary step to bring “much-needed sunlight on a dark corner of the public fisc” and give taxpayers more control over the local governments they fund.

The bill has been referred to the House Technology and Innovation Committee, where it is currently under review.