OECA is actively tracking the following legislation for the current 135th General Assembly. The bills in red are OECA priority bills that we are working hard to enact. Please direct any questions or comments relating to government affairs to Alex Boehnke at AlexB@ohioretailmerchants.com.

SB13 HOMEMADE SPIRITUOUS LIQUOR (HOAGLAND F)

To allow a person to distill, serve, and ship homemade spirituous liquor without a liquor permit.

RECENT STATUS

1/17/2023 – Referred to Committee Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources

1/11/2023 – Introduced

SB13 Bill Page

HB23 TRANSPORTATION BUDGET (EDWARDS J)

To make appropriations for programs related to transportation for the biennium beginning July 1, 2023, and ending June 30, 2025, and to provide authorization and conditions for the operation of those programs.

RECENT STATUS

2/22/2023 – House Finance, (Fifth Hearing)

2/22/2023 – Senate Transportation, (First Hearing)

2/21/2023 – House Finance, (Fourth Hearing)

HB23 Bill Page

SB38 MERCHANT TRANSACTIONS-CASH PAYMENTS (BLESSING III L)

To require retail merchants to give customers the option to pay by cash.

RECENT STATUS

2/8/2023 – Referred to Committee Senate Small Business and Economic Opportunity

1/31/2023 – Introduced

SB38 Bill Page

SB48 TAX REDUCTION-MOTOR FUEL (HUFFMAN S)

To reduce the tax rate on certain motor fuel.

RECENT STATUS

2/8/2023 – Referred to Committee Senate Transportation

2/7/2023 – Introduced

SB48 Bill Page

Recent Statehouse Policy OECA has influenced

  • Defeated efforts to drastically reduce the Business Income Tax Deduction (BID) for independent retailers, bulk fuel dealers and wholesalers
  • Significantly reduced proposed tax hikes on cigarettes and OTP
  • Defended against numerous attempts to thwart the three-tier system of alcohol distribution
  • Defeated efforts to move Ohio’s fuel excise tax to the rack
  • Passed legislation guaranteeing hours of work, benefits and pay exclusively remain under the purview of the employee-employer relationship, not special interests, or bureaucrats
  • Passed legislation to curtail patchwork regulation regarding plastic bags
  • Passed legislation to protect employers from liability related to COVID-19
  • Defeated localized proposals which would have created new regulations on the placement of ATMs
  • Stopped legislation aimed at placing new duties on retailers regarding minimum cigarette pricing