Opponent Testimony on House Bill 291 — Susanna Whitman, Resident (House Development Committee)

Summary

Written opponent testimony on House Bill 291, Create the Ohio International Trade Commission, from Susanna Whitman, identified as a resident, to the House Development Committee, dated 6/17/2025. Whitman writes that the bill raises serious questions regarding transparency, accountability and public input. The testimony argues that Ohio's anti-Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions law (ORC 9.76) could shield the Commission from democratic scrutiny and that Section G, which allows individuals, corporations and other organizations to fund the Commission, means private or foreign interests could direct public trade policy. It urges a no vote on House Bill 291.

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Opponent Testimony on House Bill 291 Create the Ohio International Trade Commission​
Susanna Whitman – Resident​
Before the House Development Committee​
6/17/2025

Chairman Hoops, Vice Chairman Lorenz, Ranking Member Abdullahi, and esteemed members
of the House Development Committee:

Thank you for the opportunity to submit written testimony in opposition to House Bill 291.

My name is Susanna Whitman, and I am writing to express my deep concern about the direction
and implications of this proposed legislation. While framed as an economic development
initiative, this bill raises serious questions regarding transparency, accountability, public input,
and complicity in international human rights violations—specifically in relation to Israel.

A trade commission with Israel would lock Ohio into partnership with a country that the
International Court of Justice has found to be in violation of international law and leading human
rights organizations accuse of genocide. Israel’s war on Gaza has led to the deaths of over
55,000 Palestinians and has repeatedly targeted hospitals, journalists, and humanitarian
workers, devastating medical infrastructure and humanitarian conditions.

Ohio’s anti-Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) law (ORC 9.76) dangerously compounds
the risks of this partnership. It could shield the Commission from democratic scrutiny by labeling
any future attempts to scale back the partnership as “discriminatory” or “antisemitic”. For
example, Ohio Attorney General has previously threatened that county treasurers are in
violation of the anti-BDS law if they do not reinvest in Israel Bonds. Once this commission is
created, attempts to limit or change it could be met with similar statements. Meanwhile Israel’s
credit rating has been downgraded multiple times and remains at risk of further decline under
strain from its prolonged military campaign. This is not a sound economic partner—it is politically
volatile and fiscally unstable.

Section G allows “individuals, corporations, foundations, governmental agencies, and public and
private organizations” to fund the Commission, meaning private or foreign interests could end
up directing public trade policy. At a time when our state faces needs in healthcare,
infrastructure, and education, HB 291 proposes diverting state resources toward international
tech ventures with no guarantees of benefit to Ohio’s working families or small businesses, no
clear metrics for success, no financial transparency, and no protections against donor influence.

I urge you to vote no on House Bill 291. Thank you.


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