NFIB issued the following statement on the passage by the Ohio House of Representatives of House Bill 215, the Business Fairness Act on May 6, 2021. This bill now heads over to the Ohio Senate.
“NFIB on behalf of our membership of over 21,000 in Ohio would like to thank Speaker Bob Cupp and House Bill 215 co-sponsors Representatives Shane Wilken and Jon Cross for seeing this high-priority legislation through the Ohio House of Representatives. House Bill 215, the Business Fairness Act, allows a business required to close or limit operations as a result of a government order, due to no fault of their own, be able to remain open as soon as that business can comply with the safety precautions required of businesses permitted to stay operational,” said Roger Geiger, Executive Director for NFIB in Ohio.
“The pandemic hit Ohio small business owners hard, with many saying they were down by over 50 percent in revenue in 2020, its impact will be felt for years. It was simply not fair for small business owners who have been forced to shut down while their major big box store competitors were able to remain open, often selling the same of very similar products. This important legislation is about fairness. Any business that can comply with all the safety protocols must be able to remain open. Small businesses who play a significant role in every community’s economic vitality and job creation demand this equal treatment,” he continued.
“Government should never be in the business of picking winners and losers. The playing field must be level for all businesses. NFIB is proud to have played a lead role in working with the Ohio House of Representatives in the passage of House Bill 215. We look forward to its passage in the Ohio Senate and then receiving the signature of Ohio Governor Mike DeWine,” Geiger concluded.
We appreciate all the NFIB members in Ohio who answered our call to action to contact their representatives and urging them to pass this important piece of legislation.
Testimony by NFIB Legislative Director Chris Ferruso from April 21, 2021, before the Ohio House Economic and Workforce Development Committee.
