Small business owners from across the state traveled to Columbus for NFIB’s annual Small Business Day earlier this month. The event started with a legislative reception on May 12, where lawmakers from both sides of the aisle met with small business owners. The next day, attendees heard from three keynote speakers: House Speaker Matt Huffman, Senate President Rob McColley, and Chief Justice Sharon Kennedy on a variety of small business issues.

The 2026 Small Business Day theme was focused on protecting small business owners’ ability to hire, insure, and grow their small businesses. State Director Jared Weiser highlighted several bills NFIB is tracking, including:

• House Bill 105 – legislation that would provide much needed transparency in the practice of third-party litigation funding. This bill would bring critical accountability to litigation financing and includes the strongest foreign third-party lender ban in the country.
• House Bill 133 – legislation would establish a $400 non-refundable tax credit for small businesses that offer ICHRAs and contribute at least $400 in a taxable year. This bill allows employers to contribute a fixed pretax amount that employees can then use to buy health insurance that works for them.
• Tort Reform Rollbacks – the Ohio House has been debating legislation that would increase non-economic damage caps and index them to inflation. Tort reform rollbacks will drive up costs and hurt Ohio’s economic competitiveness.

“Small business owners are busy people, so when they take the time to drive to Columbus to advocate not only for their business, but for all small businesses around Ohio, legislators pay attention,” said State Director Jared Weiser. “The strong turnout from NFIB members, Legislators, and guest speakers says a lot about the importance of the small business voice at the Statehouse!”

Interested in attending future events or getting more involved? Contact Grassroots Manager Liz Roe to learn more!