The Ohio General Assembly has resumed its legislative session, prompting the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) in Ohio to renew its advocacy efforts at the Statehouse.
One of the main issues for 2026 is property tax. At the end of 2025, lawmakers approved nearly $3 billion in property tax relief. To offset this revenue loss, the General Assembly decided to eliminate the expanded sales tax holiday planned for 2026. The NFIB stated it will continue to advocate that “property tax reform should not be shifted onto small businesses through increased sales taxes, or other fees.”
Energy policy and datacenters are also expected to be significant topics this year. The NFIB is tracking legislation related to voluntary demand response programs, which aim to regulate agreements between utilities and customers during peak energy demand periods. According to the organization, “We will continue to advocate for policies that provide relief for small commercial customers.”
Healthcare mandates remain another concern for small business owners. The NFIB said it will oppose any new requirements that could raise costs for employers providing health insurance: “NFIB will continue to advocate against healthcare mandates and any other legislation that will increase the cost for employers to offer health insurance.”
Another priority is ensuring solvency in Ohio’s unemployment trust fund. Historically, economic downturns have forced Ohio to borrow from the federal government when unemployment claims rise sharply. If these debts are not repaid quickly, taxes on businesses can increase.
House Bill 447, which would raise caps on non-economic damages in certain lawsuits, is currently under debate in the Ohio House of Representatives. The NFIB has joined a coalition opposing this bill and has submitted testimony against it as well: “The NFIB has joined a coalition against the bill and has provided testimony in opposition as well.”
The organization urges members concerned about HB 447 to contact their representatives.
For further questions regarding these legislative issues, individuals are encouraged to reach out to Jacob Flowers, Assistant State Director for NFIB Ohio.
