Agency owners and independent agents understand the importance of staying informed about legislative and regulatory proposals that could affect their clients, their businesses, and the broader insurance marketplace. They also know the concern that comes with seeing headlines about legislation that could negatively impact the industry. With new policy proposals and regulations continually emerging, it can be difficult to track each bill, understand where it stands in the legislative process, and assess what the potential outcomes could mean for Ohio’s independent agency system.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at insurance-related legislation currently moving — or not moving — around the Ohio Statehouse, as well as measures that have already crossed the finish line. We will examine the status of pending bills, highlight recent legislative accomplishments, and explain what these developments could mean for independent agents and their clients.
Two measures have already cleared the legislative process and been signed into law.
Legislation Signed Into Law
House Bill 210 – Catalytic Converter Theft Legislation
Background: House Bill 210 was introduced to address the growing problem of catalytic converter theft across Ohio. Lawmakers cited the significant financial impact on vehicle owners, businesses, and insurers. This legislation focused on strengthening enforcement and making it harder for these stolen converters to enter the resale market.
Key Provisions:
- Requires purchasers of used catalytic converters to comply with enhanced recordkeeping and reporting
- Creates new criminal offenses for the theft of and receipt of stolen catalytic converters and makes those offenses fifth-degree felonies.
- Prohibits motor vehicle salvage dealers from purchasing or accepting catalytic converters
OIA Position: OIA Government Affairs provided written proponent testimony in support of HB 210, highlighting the substantial costs catalytic converter theft imposes on consumers and insurers and advocating for stronger penalties to deter criminal activity.
Commentary: OIA joined a broad coalition of associations supporting this legislation, including the Ohio Auto Dealers Association, the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), the Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police, and the Ohio Insurance Institute (OII).
Status: Governor DeWine signed House Bill 210 into law on July 7,2026. The law takes effect on October 6, 2026.
House Bill 105 – Third Party Litigation Funding Reform (TPLF) Legislation
Background: Ohio legislators have looked to tackle third party litigation funding reform for years. Ohio has had a court system that allows unnamed financiers to invest unknown sums into lawsuits across our state. House Bill 105 was introduced in an effort to reform this process.
Key Provisions:
- Prohibits foreign investment into lawsuits in Ohio
- Requires that litigation financiers register with the Ohio Attorney General’s Office
- Requires disclosure of financing agreements after case resolution
OIA Position: OIA Government Affairs provided written proponent testimony in support of HB 105, highlighting the intent of the legislation to bring balance and transparency to Ohio’s legal system.
Commentary: OIA Member, Bill Bishop, provided in-person testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Bill highlighted the importance of legal transparency for Ohio to continue to be a business-friendly state.
Status: Governor DeWine signed House Bill 105 into law on July 7,2026. The law takes effect on October 6, 2026.
Another insurance-related proposal remains active and could see additional movement as lawmakers return to session.
Legislation with Movement
Senate Bill 306 – Insurance Omnibus Legislation
Background: Insurance omnibus legislation is a common feature in the Ohio Legislature and is typically done to make multiple technical and regulatory changes to Ohio insurance law. The last major insurance omnibus legislation included significant updates to Ohio’s pet insurance laws.
Key Provisions:
- Senate Bill 306 will provide key consumer protections by prohibiting towing services and storage facilities from continuing to add certain storage fees.
- The bill allows an insurer to comply with any signature requirement using an electronic signature.
- Senate Bill 306 strengthens anti-fraud measures within the Ohio Assigned Risk Insurance Plan (OARIP).
Commentary: OIA Government Affairs has tracked Senate Bill 306 throughout the legislative process. The bill has been a key priority for other insurance trade associations including: The Ohio Insurance Institute (OII), American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA) and the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies (NAMIC).
Status: Senate Bill 306 passed the Ohio Senate with a vote of 32-0. The legislation passed the Ohio House Insurance Committee with a vote of 10-1 on 6/9/2026. The legislation now needs to be voted on by the Ohio House of Representatives. This bill is likely to see further movement in the fall.
Several additional proposals have received limited attention so far but remain important to monitor because of their potential impact on consumers, agents, and the insurance marketplace.
Legislation with Limited Hearings
House Bill 596 – Legislation that would require uninsured motorist coverage and increase state minimum limits in Ohio
What the bill would do: House Bill 596 would make significant changes to Ohio’s auto insurance requirements by requiring all auto insurance policies in the state to include uninsured motorist (UM) coverage and increasing the state’s minimum bodily injury liability limits from $25,000/$50,000 to $50,000/$100,000.
Affordability impact: Ohio currently has some of the most affordable state minimum liability limits in the country. According to Forbes, the average cost for minimum coverage in Ohio was $494 in 2026. Increasing the minimum bodily injury requirements would likely result in higher premiums for drivers who currently carry only minimum-limit coverage.
Policy debate: Supporters argue the change would provide consumers with greater financial protection following serious accidents, while opponents point to the added cost burden on policyholders.
Property damage limit: Notably, the bill does not modify Ohio’s minimum property damage liability limit, which would remain at $25,000.
Commentary: For independent agents, the proposed changes would create new conversations with customers about coverage limits, uninsured motorist protection, and affordability.
Status: HB 596 has not received any hearings since its introduction last year. This legislation is not expected to move this General Assembly.
House Bill 447 – Legislation that would increase non-economic damage caps
What the bill would do: House Bill 447 would increase non-economic damage caps from a maximum of $350,000 to $580,000 for each plaintiff and from a maximum of $500,000 to $830,000 for each occurrence in a tort action. Further increases of the damage caps would be based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
Policy Debate: The current non-economic damage caps were established in Ohio in 2005. This change was part of a major tort reform effort in the early 2000s. Supporters of House Bill 447 argue that it is time to increase the caps after 20 years to adjust for inflation. Opponents argue that increasing non-economic damage caps will lead to skyrocketing jury awards that could negatively impact insurance affordability and availability.
Commentary: OIA submitted written testimony opposing HB 447. OIA joined a large coalition of organizations opposing this change to the damage caps. Other associations include: The Ohio Chamber of Commerce, National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), and the Ohio Hospital Association.
Status: House Bill 447 has had three hearings in the House Judiciary Committee. The last hearing was in November 2025. OIA remains opposed to this legislation due to its potential impacts on the insurance marketplace in Ohio.
House Bill 769 – Legislation addressing unscrupulous roofing practices
What the bill would do: House Bill 769 would establish significant consumer protection standards that are not currently contained in Ohio law.
Key Provisions:
- House Bill 769 would provide homeowners with a three-day, penalty-free right to rescind a contract.
- The bill would prohibit roofers from acting as insurance adjusters or otherwise performing the role of adjusting insurance claims.
- Any down payment may not exceed 50% of the total contract amount.
- Roofing repairs exceeding $750 must have a written contract.
Background: This issue has been the subject of an ongoing policy debate in Ohio for the past ten years. Neighboring states, including Indiana and Kentucky, enacted similar consumer protection measures years ago. These reforms are critical to agents across Ohio who are seeking to protect their clients from unscrupulous roofing contractors, particularly following severe weather events and storms.
Committee Activity: OIA Government Affairs provided proponent testimony for this legislation. We received support from OIA Member, Steve Brown, who did an incredible job explaining why this issue is critical to independent agents and their clients.
Commentary: House Bill 769 is an OIA Advocacy priority bill. The legislation was introduced later in this General Assembly (2025-2026), making bill passage difficult but not impossible, for this year. It is important to push this legislation as far as we can this General Assembly so that it can be teed up for early introduction at the start of 2027.
Status: Currently, the bill has received two hearings from the Ohio House Commerce and Labor Committee. This legislation is primed for continued hearings when the legislature is back in session after the mid-term elections.
Conclusion
The legislation moving through the Ohio Statehouse can directly affect agency operations, client conversations, insurance affordability, and the strength of Ohio’s independent agency system. Understanding what has become law, what may advance, and what is unlikely to move this General Assembly helps independent agents prepare for change and better serve their clients.
OIA is proud to represent independent agents at the Ohio Statehouse, champion legislation that supports agencies and consumers, and push back against proposals that could harm the insurance marketplace. We will continue monitoring these issues, keeping members informed, and making sure the independent agent perspective is heard. If you have questions about these bills or other legislative developments, please reach out to OIA Government Affairs.
Sources and Additional Reading on the Legislation:
Forbes Article – Car Insurance Rates By State For 2026 – Forbes Advisor
House Bill 210 – https://ohiohouse.gov/legislation/136/hb210
House Bill 447 – House Bill 447 | 136th General Assembly | Ohio Legislature
House Bill 596 – House Bill 596 | 136th General Assembly | Ohio House of Representatives
House Bill 769 – House Bill 769 | 136th General Assembly | Ohio Legislature
Senate Bill 306 – Senate Bill 306 | 136th General Assembly | Ohio House of Representatives
About the Author:
Jeffrey S. Smith, JD, CIC, CAE serves as Chief Executive Officer for Ohio Insurance Agents Association (OIA) and IA Valuations. He is responsible for leading the organization’s strategic initiatives and day-to-day operations.
As CEO of IA Valuations, Smith has consulted and reviewed over 200 agency valuations for independent agents across the US. IA Valuations serves independent agencies as a trusted advisor and strategic business partners as they implement strategies to increase their agency value, grow their businesses, and transition their agencies. Smith provides insights into the agency’s operations, risk factors, and legal guidance on how to perpetuate and maximize value in a sale.
About IA Valuations and Agency Link – Founded in 2017, the IA Valuations team has performed over 400+ valuations to independent insurance agencies across the U.S. Our advisors have 25+ years of experience guiding agency owners on maximizing their agency value, planning, and legal needs for ownership transition. In addition, IA Valuations has provided perpetuation planning, financial modeling and business planning for independent insurance agencies. Finally, IA Valuations has advised dozens of agency owners on selling their agencies through our Agency Link process. Agency Link is a platform that connects buyers and sellers together to further the growth and strength of the IA system. To learn more about IA Valuations, please visit IAValuations.com or contact@iavaluations.com.
The information provided in these documents is general in nature and shall not be construed as personal legal, tax or financial advice for your situation. Please contact@iavaluations.com to discuss your personal situation.
