During my years in the Ohio House of Representatives, I dedicated myself to upholding the core values of fairness, transparency, and accountability in government. These principles have continued to guide my service as a Columbiana County Commissioner.

Today, I see a troubling issue that threatens the integrity of our legal system, the vitality of our communities, and the stability of our small businesses: secretive third-party litigation funding.

This practice allows outside financiers –often hedge funds or private equity firms with no connection to the people or facts involved in a case — to fund one side of a lawsuit in exchange for a percentage of the settlement or judgment. In effect, they are placing high-stakes bets on civil court outcomes.

What’s most concerning is the lack of transparency. These arrangements are often hidden from the court, the jury, and even the opposing party.

That’s why I strongly support Senate Bill 10 and House Bill 105, which would require the disclosure of third-party litigation funding in Ohio’s courts. These commonsense measures that won’t ban litigation funding. Instead, they simply ensure that everyone knows who is involved in a case and what financial interests may be influencing the strategy behind it.

As a commissioner, I’ve seen how damaging secretive litigation can be, especially for small businesses, farmers, and even local governments. Our region, like so many others in Ohio, is built on hard work, faith, and family. In Columbiana County, we’re proud of our manufacturing base, our agricultural tradition, and our growing small business sector. These employers keep our communities strong and our local economy moving. But all of that can be put at risk by abusive litigation tactics bankrolled by faceless investors looking to turn a profit.

When third-party funders operate in the shadows, they can distort the entire legal process. They may push plaintiffs to reject reasonable settlement offers or prolong litigation unnecessarily to maximize the return on their investment. This doesn’t serve the interests of justice, and it hurts the very people the courts are supposed to protect.

For small businesses, the threat is especially serious. A single lawsuit fueled by outside investors can drain resources, damage reputations, and even force a business to close its doors. And when the true backer of that lawsuit is hidden from view, it becomes nearly impossible to make informed decisions or assess the real dynamics at play.

Consumers can be harmed as well. As litigation is extended or intensified by secret funders, the costs often get passed down the line through higher prices, delayed services, or reduced availability of goods.

In some cases, funders may even exert pressure over what types of cases are filed in the first place, turning the justice system into a financial tool rather than a forum for fairness.

Transparency is the answer. By requiring the disclosure of third-party funding, SB 10 and HB 105 would allow opposing parties to understand the full scope of the case,and preserve the trust that Ohioans place in our legal system.

These reforms are modest, reasonable, and long overdue. Similar measures have already been adopted or are under consideration in other states and even at the federal level. Ohio should lead in making our courts more open and accountable.

Throughout my time in public service as a legislator, a pastor, and now a commissioner, I have always believed that the best policy is rooted in truth and transparency. Justice should never be for sale, and the courtroom should never be a battleground where secret investors play high-stakes games with people’s lives.

I urge lawmakers in Columbus to pass Senate Bill 10 and House Bill 105. Let’s protect our citizens, support our small businesses, and keep fairness and trust in Ohio’s courts.