Read about the legislative issues that impact your business.
November 25, 2019
CROWDFUNDING INITIATIVE PASSES OHIO HOUSE
On Tuesday, November 19, House Bill 312 passed the Ohio House of Representatives unanimously by a vote of 92-0. This piece of legislation allows startups and small businesses the opportunity to offer equity securities for the purpose of raising capital.

PRO-BUSINESS REFORM TO OHIO CONTRACT LAW PASSES OUT OF OHIO HOUSE
Legislation to reduce the statutes of limitation on contracts passed the Ohio House by a unanimous vote of 92-0. The bill – HB 251 – sponsored by Rep. George Lang and Rep. Brett Hillyer will have a positive impact on Ohio’s business and legal climates by reducing the timeframe employers face liability under a contract.

OHIO CHAMBER TESTIFIES IN SUPPORT OF EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION REFORM LEGISLATION
The Ohio House Civil Justice Committee heard testimony on Tuesday, November 19, from prominent Ohio employment attorneys in support of the Ohio Chamber’s Employment Law Uniformity Act.

OHIO HOUSE MAKES PRO-BUSINESS REFORMS TO OHIO WORKERS' COMPENSATION SYSTEM
On Wednesday, November 20, the Ohio House of Representatives unanimously passed legislation that will positively impact Ohio’s workers' compensation system.

OHIO FAIRNESS ACT TAKES IMPORTANT FIRST STEP IN OHIO HOUSE COMMITTEE
Last week, the Ohio House Civil Justice Committee heard testimony from the sponsors of HB 369. The legislation titled the Ohio Fairness Act, is companion legislation to SB 11, and would prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in housing, employment, and public accommodation.

OHIO CHAMBER VOTING RECORD UPDATED AFTER RECENT HOUSE VOTES
The Ohio House voted last week on two bills supported by the Ohio Chamber, HB 251 and HB 81, were included in the Ohio Chamber's General Assembly Voting Record, the Free Enterprise Index . HB 251 will have a positive impact on Ohio’s legal climate and benefit employers by reducing the timeframe during which they face liability under the terms of a contract. Amended into HB 81 were a number of beneficial workers’ compensation reforms.
 
Be sure to see how your state representative voted on these bills and whether your state lawmakers are working to make Ohio a stronger state in which to do business.
Click here to learn about the top bills we are following.

Finally, the Ohio Chamber of Commerce will be closed Thursday, November 28 and Friday, November 29 for the Thanksgiving holiday. The next Legislative Update will go out on Monday, December 9.
Contact Ohio Chamber Lobbyists

Keith Lake, Vice President Government Affairs
Kevin Boehner, Director, Small Business & Workforce Policy
Kevin Shimp, Director, Labor & Legal Affairs
Tony Long, Director, Tax & Economic Policy
Stephanie Kromer, Director, Energy & Environmental Policy