Buckeye Reporter

NFIB Ohio Assistant State Director Cameron Garczyk has been actively involved in legislative discussions, testifying before both House and Senate committees on issues critical to small businesses in Ohio. The organization is monitoring several pieces of legislation this session.

House Bill 105 and Senate Bill 10 aim to reform third-party litigation funding by implementing consumer protections, ensuring transparency, and safeguarding the integrity of Ohio courts from foreign interference. NFIB supports these bills as they contribute to a stable legal environment for small businesses.

House Bill 321 addresses unemployment compensation solvency. NFIB, alongside business and labor groups, supports this bill to prevent future hikes in federal unemployment taxes and encourage job-seeking behavior during economic downturns.

House Bill 229 seeks to increase transparency in pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) licensing and reporting. With PBMs significantly influencing prescription drug pricing, the bill aims to ensure fair practices that do not burden consumers with high costs.

House Bill 176 proposes the creation of a Universal Regulatory Sandbox Program within the Governor’s Common Sense Initiative office. This program would allow citizens and businesses to suggest modifications or eliminations of existing laws through an online portal managed by a new regulatory relief division.

House Bill 288 seeks amendments to Ohio’s Prompt Pay Act, establishing a 30-day payment deadline for project owners to pay prime contractors after work approval. This measure intends to support small contractors' operations and growth.

Senate Bill 146 focuses on clarifying procedures around "piercing the corporate veil," ensuring a clear distinction between business owners and corporate entities while encouraging entrepreneurial risk-taking.

Concurrent Resolution 8 urges Congress to make the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act permanent. Without action, many small businesses could face significant tax increases if the Section 199A Small Business Deduction expires.

Finally, NFIB issued a key vote alert on House Bill 133, which offers up to $400 per employee tax credit for employers with fewer than 50 employees who provide Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements (ICHRA). The bill passed unanimously in the House and now moves to the Senate. Representative Meredith Craig highlighted NFIB's findings on health coverage challenges faced by small businesses during her floor speech.