Proposed bill to make OFBF part of coalition of agriculture, chemical and polymer industries COLUMBUS, Ohio - A proposed Ohio bill, unanimously passed by the House Economic Development and Environmental Committee on Wednesday, would create a 13-member task force, including a representative from the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation (OFBF), to recommend ways to align and expand the state’s agricultural and specialty chemicals-polymer industries.
House Bill 223 (H.B. 223), introduced by Rep. Steve Reinhard, R-Bucyrus, creates the Ohio Agriculture to Chemicals, Polymers and Advanced Materials Task Force.
The goal of H.B. 233 is to advance strategic opportunities associated with agricultural-based chemicals, polymers and advanced materials as part of Ohio’s economic future. The bill, now supported by a host of co-sponsors, including the entire House Economic Development and Environmental Committee, now moves to a vote on the House floor. Rocky Black, OFBF senior director of policy and political affairs, testified as a proponent during H.B. 233’s hearing on Wednesday. “Ohio has always been a world leader in polymer production,” he said, addressing the committee. “From our rubber and textile industries to plastics, paints, autos and more, we have led our competition in cutting edge polymer manufacturing.” Black said Ohio’s position as a leader is being challenged by China, India and other countries, which have switched from traditional petroleum-based polymer production to biopolymer production. “Simply put, H.B. 233 is needed to help coalesce a diverse group of industries, who are each vital to Ohio’s future in manufacturing and polymer production,” Black concluded. In its initial proposal, the task force would include seven leaders from some of Ohio’s agricultural and polymer production organizations including OFBF, the Ohio Department of Agriculture, the Ohio Department of Development, the Ohio BioProducts Innovation Center, Polymer Ohio, the Ohio Chemistry Technology Council and the energy adviser to the Governor. If approved, the bill would require an initial meeting of the task force by August 1, with the first report to be submitted to the General Assembly by December 1.
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