The Ohio General Assembly is back from summer recess, resuming committee hearings and floor votes on some of the over 90 bills that NFIB is tracking at the Statehouse. Issues under consideration include health care legislation, regulatory relief, unemployment compensation reform, and much more. The NFIB team in Ohio is hard at work ensuring the voice of small business is heard loud and clear at the Statehouse as these bills are being considered.

Have questions, or want to get involved? Reach out to Ohio State Director, Jared Weiser at Jared.Weiser@NFIB.org.

Property taxes continue to be the topic of conversation at the Statehouse as legislators look to address recent increases around the state over the past few years. There are several unique property tax-related-bills being considered by the Legislature, and NFIB is monitoring all of them to make sure relief on the residential side does not get shifted to small businesses and commercial property. We will also continue advocating for reforms that enhance transparency in the property tax system, so voters properly understand the impact of a levy.

This legislation stops lawsuit abuse by requiring transparency in litigation that is funded by third parties. It also protects the integrity of Ohio courts from foreign interference and establishes long overdue consumer protections. NFIB has consistently advocated for a stable and predictable legal climate for Ohio small businesses, and these bills are a significant step towards a more fair and transparent legal process.

Ohio’s unemployment compensation fund is in desperate need of reform. As Ohio employers experienced during the last economic downturn, the fund needed to borrow billions from the federal government to pay claims, resulting in a significant tax increase on employers. NFIB has joined other business and labor groups with the shared goal of bringing solvency to the system.

This bill is a crucial transparency measure that seeks to update Ohio’s laws concerning licensing and reporting for PBMs. PBMs play a major role when it comes to the availability and pricing of prescription drugs. Current PBM market consolidation in Ohio has resulted in less competition and higher prices for Ohio’s small employers. It is vital these entities perform services in a fair and transparent manner to not overly burden consumers with unnecessary costs.

This bill would establish a Universal Regulatory Sandbox Program within the Governor’s Common Sense Initiative office (CSI). It also creates an online portal where businesses can offer suggestions on existing laws and regulations that they believe could be modified or eliminated.

The cost of health insurance has been the top issue for NFIB Members since 1986 – and the current marketplace shows no signs of improving. That’s why NFIB supports HB 133, which would create a non-refundable tax credit for small businesses that offer an Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement or (ICHRA). ICHRAs are an innovative concept in the health insurance marketplace and provide small employers who are unable to provide health insurance with an option for their employees. ICHRAs allow an employer to set aside money so an employee can purchase a plan that best suits their needs, and be reimbursed tax-free for qualified medical expenses, prescriptions, copays, or premiums.