The Ohio General Assembly concluded its 2025 legislative session with several outcomes impacting small businesses in the state. Lawmakers are set to reconvene at the end of January 2026, and the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Ohio team plans to continue advocating for policies that support small business interests.
One legislative development involved NFIB’s successful effort to remove a provision from a bill that would have allowed corrections officers to receive workers’ compensation benefits for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) without a related physical injury. NFIB has stated its position on this issue, saying it favors solutions outside of the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation.
Additionally, lawmakers allocated $40 million from the General Revenue Fund to establish the Post Traumatic Stress Fund under the Department of Public Safety. According to NFIB, “NFIB has been advocating for a solution to this issue outside of the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC), and now it is finally funded. This is a significant win for the business community.”
House Bill 105, which addresses third-party litigation financing, was passed as part of broader reform efforts. The bill requires disclosure about who is funding lawsuits. NFIB supported this legislation and included it in its key votes.
The legislature also approved four property tax reform bills intended to slow property tax increases, address calculations involving millage floors, and revise owner-occupancy credits. These measures are projected to save homeowners in Ohio approximately $2 billion over several years.
Governor Mike DeWine vetoed Senate Bill 50, which would have permitted 14- and 15-year-olds to work until 9 p.m. during school nights with parental consent. NFIB supported this bill as a way to help address workforce shortages in Ohio and has indicated ongoing discussions with stakeholders regarding next steps: “We are working with stakeholders on next steps to overcome this hurdle.”
NFIB also announced Jacob Flowers as its new Assistant State Director for Ohio.
