NFIB State Director Tom Underwood today thanked the Senate State and Local Government Committee for passing House Bill 518 and urged the full Senate to take prompt action on the measure.

Underwood also thanked Rep. Patrick Flannery (96th District) for his leadership in guiding the legislation through the General Assembly.

HB 518, which passed the House last month by a vote of 91-3, would improve efficiency and reduce costs for small businesses by requiring local governments to accept electronic tax filings and payments for payroll and business license taxes.

“We appreciate the Senate committee’s bipartisan, unanimous support for this commonsense reform and urge the full Senate to act quickly,” Underwood said.

“Right now, every city and county does things a little differently, and that creates a burden for small businesses,” he said. “Requiring local governments to accept electronic filings and payments will reduce costs, cut paperwork, and save small business owners time.

“Main Street needs a simpler system that reflects how business is done today,” he said. “House Bill 518 would help bring Kentucky’s local tax system into the modern era.”